The term 'Film NOIR' (4 letters) is a French term meaning 'dark film'. It is a genre of crime films that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s, characterized by a cynical, pessimistic view of the world and a visual style that often includes low-key lighting, deep shadows, and unbalanced compositions. Film NOIR often features stories of crime, corruption, and moral ambiguity, with protagonists who are often morally ambiguous anti-heroes.