Here's a head scratcher.  According to Variety, Diablo Cody's JENNIFER'S BODY is set to make its Italian debut at the Noir in Festival, where the Woody Harrelson horror film ZOMBIELAND will join it.   I haven't seen Cody's film, but from all the trailers I did see, I can pretty much assess that it's not a noir film.  Having seen ZOMBIELAND, I can testify that it's not noir.

Noir means "black" in French, and filmmakers have used it to describe a particular type of movie, particularly those old style Humphrey Bogart detective and crime stories.  The only time I can remember having heard the fterm used in modern application was when reviewers discussed the Tim Burton BATMAN movies back in the late 1980s, and perhaps with the Coen Brothers' THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE. 

I certainly would not apply it to JENNIFER'S BODY or ZOMBIELAND.  Or AVATAR, which the festival is hyping with behind-the-scenes footage.  Noir in Festival will be awarding some legitimate noir, including crime author Leonardo Padura Fuentes;  but as with so many venues that originate to please a particular crowd, it looks like they've extended to influences outside their core idea, and are no longer as true to the initial spirit.

The festival runs Dec. 7-13 in Rome.  Read the full article here.

 --Phil Fasso