In this blog post, I’ll examine how ‘Infernal Affairs’ can be systematically interpreted as a “crime film” in terms of imagery, characters, and plot, based on Thomas Schatz’s genre theory. Why Is It a Genre Film? I recently watched a Japanese film titled ‘The Disgusting Life of Matsuko’. Thanks to the dazzling colors that dazzled my eyes throughout the film and a...
What characteristics of the film noir genre does the ‘Infernal Affairs’ series exhibit?
This blog post focuses on the genre characteristics of Hong Kong film noir as exemplified by the ‘Infernal Affairs’ series and their variations. The Origins and Typical Characteristics of Film Noir Film noir originated when French critics began using the term to describe low-budget “B-movies” produced in Hollywood after World War II that featured crime or thrillers with a dark...
Why do violence and capitalism recur in Korean noir films?
In this blog post, we examine the recurring invocation of violence and capitalism in Korean noir films, and summarize how genre traditions and social realities have intertwined to form a unique narrative. Noir, good vs. evil The blurring of who is good and who is evil is the most defining characteristic of noir films. The genre isn’t just about depicting crime and violence...