Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Associated Concepts Facet
3. Associated Concepts (hierarchy name)
4. [concepts in the arts and humanities]
5. [genres in literature and performing arts]
6. [genres for motion pictures]

Anotations

Scope note:

Term coined by French critics to describe a genre of film characterized by dark, somber tone and cynical, pessimistic mood. Typically such films portray the dark and gloomy underworld of crime and corruption with the heroes as well as the villains being cynical and disillusioned, trapped by their pasts and insecure or apathetic about the future. The genre is typifed by Hollywood black-and-white motion pictures of the 1940s and early 1950s, though later examples in color exist.