The Passion of Joan of Arc

(La passion de Jeanne d’Arc, Carl Theodor Dreyer, France 1928, 96 min., 35mm, Danish w/subtitles)

Silent Tuesday. In one of cinema’s most beautiful and innovative works, Carl Theodor Dreyer creates a spiritual cinematic experience of the inquisition, trial, and execution of the legendary Joan of Arc, played by the mesmerizing Maria Falconetti in her only major screen performance. Dreyer uses not a single establishing shot, instead choosing the close-up to create an atmosphere of intense emotion, unease, dismay, and ominous disaster. Live piano by Philip C. Carli. Special support provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.