French Impressionism: Joan Of Arc

“Art creates an experience” (Thompson 90) is an accurate description of how Dreyer used many techniques from French Impressionism to allow the audience to experience “The Passion of Joan of Arc”. The film is done almost entirely of close-ups. Dreyer also quickly cuts from one close-up to another and uses low camera angles.

The close-ups of Joan help the viewer to fell the isolation and seclusion that she feels. There are also no distractions because her hair is cut very short and she isn’t wearing any make-up. She is always shown looking up to show how big and powerful the others were. This also shows how vulnerable she was during the trial. In the Ebert Review he states “to see Falconetti in Dreyer’s вЂ?The Passion of Joan of Arc’ is to look into eyes that will never leave you.” He sums up how her you can see her heart and soul through her eyes. The camera angle is always low on the judges making even the viewer feel inferior to them. They seem almost bigger than life in some of the shots.

Joan is often seen on the verge of tears and is so intimidated. Other times her eyes are begging the judges to understand her mission. She seems to be breathing heavier at times also causing the audience to empathize with her. She does appear to be a Saint. The sadness that she portrayed when the judge screamed “you are a product Satan” is almost overwhelming to the viewer.

“The cinema gives us access to a realm beyond everyday experience. It shows us the souls of people and the essences of objects.” (Thompson 91) Dreyer certainly showed the audience the soul of Joan in this film. You can feel her fear, passion and pain from the beginning of the film to the end of it.

Thompson, Kristen & David Bordwell. Film History: An