My Movie: Nights For The Unknown Essay Example

The genre of creative representation known as film noir is surely one of the most stirring avenues of cinema that always succeeds in hogging the attention of the audience and exerts its affective appeal on the minds of the people with the surmounting influence of all the cinematic techniques that are typical of the genre. Making a film of this genre would surely be quite intriguing with the enormous scope of utilizing the varied norms of film noir that have popularly been used in iconic films in the history of world cinema. The following part presents a storyline that attempts to recreate the cinematic magic of film noir on the screen in the present day context.
The film, Nights for the Unknown, would start by portraying this young person who works in a commonplace office and lives in a condo. This man, Chuck, is somebody who is bored with the monotony of life and wants to find a breath of fresh air so as to rejuvenate himself. He starts to visit this nightclub to have some relaxation. One such night, as he comes out after partying hard, he sees this lady being dragged by a couple of guys being held by her hair. Chuck does not think twice but jumps to her rescue and ends up hurting his face being punched by one of the thugs. However, they leave behind the lady in the ruckus. This lady, having introduced herself as Estella, takes Chuck to her home in a cab so that she can nurse his wounds. Chuck is badly hurt, but is already mesmerized by the beauty of Estella who has this charming personality and finesse. Chuck leaves for the night after being nursed by Estella, but he cannot stop thinking about her. He visits her house after a few days with the alibi of thanking her for nursing his wounds only to find that some other man is present in Estella’s apartment. Chuck leaves and is heartbroken; he cannot concentrate on his job. He imagines loving Estella and he seems to have been obsessed with her already. He finally calls her to enquire if she could go out on a date with him, but she refuses rudely. Chuck is taken aback, and decides to find if she has someone else in her life. He starts to spy on her after his work. This continues for some days as he finds that several people visit Estella in the night. He cannot come to terms with the life Estella lives, and decides to confront her. The next day, all of a sudden, Chuck gets this call from her asking for his help. She is understandably in some danger, and Chuck rushes to her apartment. He comes to find that there is this dead male who has been shot. She begs and cries for help and tells Chuck that this man, Harris, had been blackmailing her all this while with something that she cannot reveal. Chuck is too much in love with her and in his obsession decides to help her cover up the murder. She admits having killed this man to save herself. Having disposed the body, Chuck stays back with Estella that night as they engage in love. Estella admits of having loved Chuck, and Chuck too promises never to leave her alone. The next morning Chuck wakes up late with this dizziness. He cannot find Estella in the room. He walks to the other room to find her tied and with cuts and bruises all over her body. She screams for her seeing Chuck; she feels threatened to see him. Chuck is visibly confused, and does not know how to stop her crying out. In the meanwhile, the cops enter the apartment breaking the door and ask Chuck to surrender. “He killed my husband! He raped me! Save me from this monster,” screams Estella. Chuck does not get the opportunity to think things over, but knows he has been trapped and framed. He snatches a gun from a cop and fires at Estella killing her instantly. The cops seize him and he is seen breaking down in tears as he lies on the floor being held captive. The film in context would be made by incorporating certain filmic technicalities and elements so as to establish the normative structure of film noir. It needs to be noted that the film in context would be shot both at indoor and outdoor locations. While the indoor shoot would be carried out in the studio, the outdoor scenes would be shot on the real locations. Locations like the shadowy night on the streets, the alleys, and the apartment would all be used to weave the narrative of the film in context. These locations would play the role of incorporating the signature traits of film noir. Now, it needs to be reckoned that lighting would surely play a key role in the making of this film. Of course, the alleys and the streets would be shown with its mysterious darkness. The apartment of Estella would also have the dichotomous presence of darkness and light so as to represent the mysterious side and the duality of her nature as shown in the narrative of the film. There will be a predominant usage of key light, fill light and practical light in the sequences that would be shot in the course of filming.
Now, it has to be understood that the costumes would also play a major role in establishing the mood of the film and incorporating the signature elements of film noir. Here, in this film, the main female character (the femme fatale) would be seen to flaunt low necklines. She would be costumed in floppy hats. The character would be seen wearing high heels. Moreover, she would be seen in red dresses with elbow-length gloves. Thus, it would be established that this lady is truly attractive with all her quintessence and charm as it is portrayed in the course of the narrative of the film. On the other hand, the character of Chuck would be seen in suits and ties. He is someone who is always in formal clothes, in his office as well as in other times of the day. Apart from all of this, the makeup of the female character also needs much attention. She should look bright and vibrant with the application of the lipstick and the mascara so as to enhance her charm. She would be shown as someone who is always prim and proper (since she is the person toward whom the male protagonist is shown to be obsessively drawn).
It has to be reckoned that the condo where Chuck lives should come across to be quite shabby in nature. Props like old furniture, messed up books and stationery, and so on can be portrayed. On the other hand, the apartment of Estella should have a prim and proper look. There would be a television, a sofa, an aquarium, a bed, a mirror, a bedside table, a few lamps, and a cupboard in the apartment working as props for the various scenes. There can be no doubt about the fact that the aim is to create a sense of mystery around the character of Estella with the male protagonist being shown to be obsessed to unravel the mysterious facet of Estella toward whom he is attracted. Thus, all the filmic elements used should come together to establish this point in the course of the filmic narrative. This would also help in the engagement of the audience and enhance the affective appeal of the cinematic work.
It is only after the mystery has been weaved by the actions of the main characters that the climactic sequence and the final resolution would have the audience stirred to the very core. Thus, this film would suffice all the parameters of the cinematic genre of film noir. The characters, the story, the portrayal of the narrative via the use of all the mentioned cinematic elements would all come together to appeal to the avid audience. It is the relationship and emotion of love that leads to the downfall of Chuck who was once a person sans any complications living his commonplace life like many others in the society.