Fanelli's Cafe

Lights! Camera! Action!

Does a film noir movie need to be shot in black and white?

All action seems to happen in dark urban settings at night.

Addresses the problem between right and wrong, good and bad.

The colorful set works for me with Fanelli’s Café’ neon sign lit up in red.

Red can mean warning, something bad is about to happen, danger ahead.

Besides, lots of red also can indicate a blood bath from a shootout or a suicide. 

The leading male is caught between being a good or bad guy and may be breaking the law.

Often there’s a seductive female who has her own dark backstory and set of flaws. 

Pensive, brooding music is a must to keep you on the edge of your seat as the story is told.

A narrator describes the characters and settings as the story unfolds

A well-written screenplay doesn’t give too much away, instead it lures you in to stay.

“A man and a woman are briskly walking arm in arm toward the intersection.”

“They are walking in the streets of a big city at 4 AM when humanity sours.

“What happened to Fanelli?  He is always open 24 hours.”

Again, I ask, “Does a film noir movie have to be made in black &white?”