Laughter in the dark: Capitalism, comedy, violence and neo-noir

Tuck, Greg

Abstract

An early version of my chapter for neo-noir, discussing humour and irony in film noir and neo-noir. It claimed dark ironic humour was more readily identifiable in these texts than in the original cycle, particularly the double coding and surreal representation of violence, terror and pain. This paper explored the comic representation of neo-noir violence particularly in relation to the two antithetical pairings of irony and nostalgia, and, pastiche and the absurd. It asked in what respect such laughter in the dark negates the critique of capitalism offered by the original cycle.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: 5th Annual Historical Materialism Conference
• Start Date: Nov 1, 2008
• End Date: Nov 1, 2008
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: film noir, violence, comedy, capitalism
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1007985