Neo Noir and Commonalities with Classic Noir Films
Dark City (1998) shares several common elements with classic Noir films, extending beyond the shift from black-and-white to color. Like traditional Noir, it delves into moral ambiguity, a complex narrative, and a visual style characterized by low-key lighting and shadowy atmospheres (Boillat, 2022). The film explores themes of identity, alienation, and existentialism, echoing the psychological depth found in classic Noir (Boillat, 2022). The protagonist’s journey in Dark City parallels the archetypal Noir anti-hero, navigating a labyrinth of deception and manipulation. Additionally, the film incorporates the classic Noir motif of an oppressive cityscape, where the urban environment becomes a character, influencing the characters’ fates.
The Role of Color in Dark City
Color is crucial in Dark City, contributing to its atmospheric and stylistic elements. Three notable instances where color stands out are the pervasive use of deep blues and blacks in the cityscape, the vibrant red of the Strangers’ eyes, and the stark contrast between the muted tones of the “night” world and the bright, natural colors of the “day” world (Boillat, 2022). The use of color becomes a narrative tool, distinguishing between the artificial, manipulated reality of the city and the natural, untouched world outside.
Predominant and Missing Colors
In Dark City, the predominant color is blue, saturating the city’s nighttime scenes and contributing to the overall sense of alienation and otherworldliness. The absence of bright, warm colors in the cityscape enhances the film’s dystopian atmosphere (Boillat, 2022). The missing color is the warmth associated with daylight, reflecting the absence of a genuine, unaltered reality within the city. This intentional omission heightens the film’s thematic exploration of artificiality and the manipulation of reality.
Additional Instances of Color Significance
Beyond the overarching color schemes, the film’s use of green is notable. The greenish tint during the Strangers’ experiments underscores their otherworldly nature and the artificiality of the environment they control (A History of Colour: The Difficult Transition From Black and White Cinematography, 2015). This subtle use of color contributes to the film’s unsettling tone and reinforces the contrast between the manipulated reality within the city and the untainted world outside.
References
A History of Colour: The Difficult Transition from Black and White Cinematography. (2015). The Artifice. Web.
Boillat, A. (2022). Cinema as a worldbuilding machine in the digital era: Essay on Multiverse Films and TV Series. Indiana University Press.