Film Noir is a French term, literally translating as 'black film'. It is used as a description of a genre of film, loosely linked by style and content, that prospered in Hollywood in the decade or so after the Second World War. Few artistic movements have ever resulted so directly from the politics of a time and place as film noir.
In the years following World War II the budgets available to film makers were drastricly resrticted while at the same time many European directors had made their way to America bringing with them their own unique style. This resulted in a situation where quality scripts that could deliver an engrossing plot, preferably while using standard sets and props, became more popular with studios. Also the Studio system (where actors and directors were salaried employees of the studio, which owned the sound stages and even the cinemas) meant they could use A list actors in their films without pushing the budget out of control.
Some of the more gifted directors, most notably the Europeans used to sub Hollywood finances, started to find ways around their low budget, such as shooting in very low lighting to hide defects in the set quality which coincidentally added a stylish and atmospheric touch which has become synonymous with the Film Noir genre.
Although often exploited by studios at the time as a way of making cheap thrillers, and consequently often relegated to B-movie status alongside westerns and horror films, many of these films have since been recognised as genuine 'classics'.
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