First Advisor

Dr. 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

Abstract

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.

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