The Genre of Dark Comedy in Cinema

This article is devoted to the history of the origin of the genre of dark comedy in English-language cinema (based on the materials of films / TV series and animated series in the USA and Great Britain). It examines the phenomenon of black humor through the prism of historical events during the early XX - XXI centuries. The analysis of the material is carried out from the point of view of verbal (comparisons, slang, allusions, ellipsis, etc.) and non-verbal (operator’s work, costumes, props, facial expressions and body language of actors, various techniques of film punctuation) components. The topics of dark humor are presented and how they have changed over time: from silent short films about vampires to full-length color films and TV series. In particular, such important stages as the golden age of Hollywood, when dark comedy was just beginning to gain popularity, and the transition to new forms of storytelling in the era of digital cinema are touched upon. For example, films of the early 20th century often explored the themes of mortality and morality through the prism of grotesque and absurd humor, and modern dark comedy increasingly turns to acute social and political issues, uses more complex and multi-level relationships between the characters. The material of film texts of the dark comedy genre was used as a practical base. Both classical works and modern representatives of the genre were analyzed. Examples include films such as Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator”, films by the comedy troupe Monthy Python, “Love and Death” by Woody Allen, as well as popular TV series and animated series (“The Cleaner” and “Archer”, etc.). Special attention is paid to visual and stylistic techniques that help create an atmosphere of black humor and enhance its effect. The role of lighting, installation solutions and features of camerawork, which add an additional dimension to the perception and interpretation of the picture by the audience, is considered. The study highlights the importance of synthesizing all these components to create a unique impact of black comedy on the audience.