Marlene Dietrich: femme fatale

Marlene Dietrich, Shanghai Express, 1932

Shanghai Express (1932) is memorable for its stylistic black-and-white chiaroscuro. Using just a key light the cinematographer creates a high-contrast scene which transforms Marlene Dietrich into femme fatale. Placed high, the key light draws angles in Dietrich’s features and gives more prominent cheek bones and longer nose shadows. These visually stylish effects would later influence the look of film noir.