Jeannette. The Childhood of Joan of Arc – Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art

Bruno Dumont does not cease to surprise. This time, the lover of the New Horizon audience chose to work on the biography of Joan of Arc. Instead of focusing on the most significant events in the life of this French national heroine, the director decided to show her childhood on screen. As if that were not enough, in Jeannette... Dumont continues his experiments with film genres and tells the story of Joan in the format of a musical. The eclectic soundtrack consists of techno mingling with rock as well as rap, and the absurd dance arrangements accompanying the songs bring humor from the film Deadwater to the screen. However, it wouldn’t be Dumont if he were limiting himself only to noncommittal bunkum. By combining fervent faith with unbridled anger, Joan, like many of the French director’s heroes, is placed on the border of sin and sanctity. The film itself, despite the historical costumes, is a good commentary on times when religious fanaticism is more and more a source of violence.