First Advisor
Mark Berrettini
Date of Award
Spring 6-13-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Film and University Honors
Department
Film
Language
English
Subjects
Film Noir, Minorities, misrepresentation, race, ethnicity
DOI
10.15760/honors.1679
Abstract
This thesis is an inquiry into the (mis)representation of women, Latinx, and BIPOC individuals in classic film noir, examining how race, gender, class, and sexuality intersect to perpetuate stereotypes in Hollywood. Through a deep analysis of films like Gilda (1946) and Touch of Evil (1958), this project explores how the conventions of film noir, such as chiaroscuro lighting, moral ambiguity, and non-linear storyline, work to expose and also reinforce social hierarchies that preserve whiteness and oppression of minorities. The research positions these films within the postwar socio-political context of the United States, addressing the influence of the Hays Code, Cold War anxieties, and the era's fears of communism that contributed to Hollywood's artificial constructions of racial and gender identity. By subverting film noir's traditional structure, this thesis argues that the genre can be a critique of institutional power and an advocate for more equitable and accurate representations. The project aims to contribute to the conversation about diversity and representation in the entertainment industry, advocating for a more inclusive practice of filmmaking that genuinely reflects the complexity of our society.
Rights
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Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/43778
Recommended Citation
Porter, Yolanda, "Shadowed Identities: The (Mis)Representation of Communities of Color in Classic Film Noir" (2025). University Honors Theses. Paper 1647.
https://doi.org/10.15760/honors.1679