Dr. Saul and Dorothy Kit Annual Film Noir Festival

The Fourth Annual Dr. Saul and Dorothy Kit Film Noir Festival
Beyond the Femme Fatale: The Women Who Made Noir

Programmed by Rob King, Film & Media Studies
Managed by Rob King, Film & Media Studies and Alexandre Ilic, Film
MARCH 1–5, 2023

The 2023 Kit Noir Film Festival will examine women’s contributions to noir as film producers, screenwriters, novelists, and, in one instance, as a director. Rather than dwell on the character types that women played in noir (such as the notorious “femme fatale”), the festival instead draws attention to what women provided from behind the camera. In the process, it uncovers a period much like our own, in which women have occupied a prominent place in the popular imaginary of crime. 

Screenings will be accompanied by discussions with film scholars Julie Grossman, Dana Polan, and Shelley Stamp, as well as a panel featuring crime writers Megan Abbott and Sarah Weinman.

The lineup features 10 films released between 1946 and 1964, with some titles screening on 35mm film. The series will include a free pre-festival virtual screening on February 25-26 of The Deep End. See the festival schedule for full details on films and showtimes.

This festival is funded by a generous gift from alumnus Gordon Kit (CC '76), in honor of his parents.

Festival Films

The Deep End (2001, Scott McGehee and David Siegel, Virtual Screening)
Bande à part (1964, Jean-Luc Godard, DCP)
Clash by Night (1952, Fritz Lang, DCP)
Gilda (1946, Charles Vidor, DCP)
In a Lonely Place (1950, Nicholas Ray, DCP)
Ride the Pink Horse (1947, Robert Montgomery, 35mm)
Strangers on a Train (1951, Alfred Hitchcock, DCP)
Sudden Fear (1952, David Miller, DCP)
The Bigamist (1953, Ida Lupino, DCP)
The File on Thelma Jordon (1950, Robert Siodmak, DCP)
The Hitch-Hiker (1953, Ida Lupino, 35mm)

Dear Mama will extend a 15% discount to festival goers who show a ticket for the duration of the festival.