Noirvember: The History of Film Noir at Jacob Burns Film Center

This November, Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) presents a Noirvember series, a celebration of one of cinema’s most iconic and enduring genres: film noir. Running from November 3- 19, the festival offers a journey through the genre’s history, featuring screenings of both classic noir like Mildred Pierce, Murder, My Sweet and Chinatown, and more contemporary films inspired by moody aesthetics and themes of the classics, including Bound and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. The series is also chock full of expert-led discussions and themed events.

JBFC Senior Programmer and Series Curator Monica Castillo explains that the festival seeks to “transport audiences into the shadowy, intricate world of film noir, offering not just a chance to view these great movies on the big screen, but an immersive journey into their rich history and enduring legacy.”

Film noir emerged in the 1940s as a reflection of postwar disillusionment that seemed to resonate with viewers at the time. Defined by moody atmospheres, morally ambiguous characters, and a sense of inevitable doom, noir films often featured hard-boiled detectives, femme fatales in rough-and-tumble cities.

Special Events and Lectures

Beyond the screenings, Noirvember offers several opportunities for deeper engagement with the genre, featuring expert-led lectures and immersive events.

• Sweet Smell of Success (November 10): This 1957 classic starring Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster explores power and corruption in the media. Following the screening, Jeff Hughes, an NYU Cinema Studies graduate student, will offer insights into the film’s critique of media manipulation.

• Mildred Pierce (November 13–14): In this noir classic, Joan Crawford portrays a woman ensnared in a web of ambition and betrayal. Imogen Sara Smith will introduce the film, discussing how it examines themes of “gender, class and identity” that are essential to one’s understanding of the complexities of the film’s narrative.

• Chinatown (November 17): This film continues to be a defining example of neo-noir, blending classic noir elements with the political and social landscape of 1970s Los Angeles. Odie Henderson, a noted film critic, will introduce the film, highlighting its unique contribution to the genre’s legacy.

• Murder, My Sweet (November 17): An adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s Farewell, My Lovely, this 1944 film stars Dick Powell as private detective Philip Marlowe. Chris Straayer, an NYU Cinema Studies professor, will provide a lecture on the film’s exploration of identity and moral complexity within the noir tradition.

To further enhance the Noirvember experience, the center’s newly opened Take 3 Wine Bar & Café, located on the top floor of the JBFC Theater, provides a place for filmgoers to relax before or after a screening. The venue offers a variety of gourmet bites, fine wines, craft beers and non-alcoholic beverages in a modern café setting that also features movie poster exhibitions.  The menu features local snacks, including charcuterie from Second Mouse Cheese Shop, pastries from Balthazar and craft brews from local favorites like Captain Lawrence Brewing Company and Soul Brewing Company. Take 3 is open Thursday-Sunday.

The series an opportunity to discover the genre’s rich legacy while celebrating its continued relevance today. Executive Director Mary Jo Ziesel adds that the events surrounding Noirvember are more than just entertainment; they serve as a gathering point for the community to celebrate the transformative power of film.

_{Photos courtesy of Jacob Burns Film Center. Stills from (top to bottom): Mildred Pierce; Chinatown; Murder, My Sweet.}