Film noir is celebrated as the quintessential American genre, but its dark heart was born in the shadows of post-WWI Berlin. We will trace the haunting lineage of cinema’s most seductive style—from the distorted, jagged sets of German Expressionism to the back alleys of 1940s Los Angeles. We will investigate how the "visual angst" of refugee filmmakers transformed the California dream into a claustrophobic nightmare of fate, obsession, and moral ambiguity. By analyzing the migration of cinematic techniques and narratives, we will uncover how the trauma of a fractured Europe redefined the American screen. The course includes video clips and film recommendations.

This is a Hybrid class, being offered in person (F1A) and on Zoom (Z1) at the same time. 

Register on this page to attend via Zoom. To register and attend in person, click here.