I've always been interested in the city v. country idea in
noir and hardboiled
fiction. I think that the city has been the stalwart setting
that it is because
of German Expressionism's influence on both film noir and
hardboiled fiction.
Once the city was established as an enemy by the German
Expressionists, then it
became a trope in the genres it influenced. For what it's
worth, I generally
prefer the city-set hardboiled as opposed to the
"countrified" variety.
On a side note, this talk about city noir leads me to a film
recommendation. I
just got it on DVD, and it was just as spectacular as when I
saw it in the
theater. _Dark City_ is the name, and it's directed by Alex
Proyas, who did
_The Crow_ as well. The best part about this movie... well,
there are a couple
of best parts. The first is how metacinematic it is. I don't
want to give away
too much here, but the movie deals with a man who can
rearrange reality by the
power of his mind, just as a director does with his film. The
second best part
(here's where is obliquely tie it in to what we were talking
about) is the very
active role the city takes in the plot. I can't recommend it
highly enough.
Sorry if this was off-topic. Is it kosher to talk film with
the Rare Birds?
Roger
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