The Passion of Joan of Arc at Stoller Hall
Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor
Northern Silents present a special screening of The Passion of Joan of Arc at Stoller Hall, accompanied by a live score from trailblazing pianist Utsav Lal at Stoller Hall this June.
The 1928 film, directed by Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer, is widely regarded as one of the great masterpieces of silent cinema. Set in 1431, it follows Joan’s last days as she is tried for heresy and executed by fire by French clergymen, loyal to the Burgundian-English. Assisted by Dreyer’s close ups, Renée Maria Falconetti delivers unimaginable depths of anguish and dignity as Joan. Astonishingly, this was the actress’ lone film appearance, and it remains a high watermark in the history of screen acting.
Nearly a century on from its original release, audiences can experience The Passion of Joan of Arc anew with accompanying music from New Yorked based Raga pianist Utsav Lal. The musician is acclaimed for performances at the likes of Carnegie Hall and Southbank Centre, and will improvise a unique live score for the screening in Manchester.
