Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer, F 1928, 80 min, 35 mm, b/w, silent
Actors: Maria Falconetti, Antonin Artaud



This famous film portrays the events during the trial of Joan of Arc. Accused of heresy, Joan is burned at the stake in Rouen in 1431 after excruciating interrogations, torture and a retracted confession.

Décor and costumes are unspectacular; still, Dreyer’s uncompromising stye is seen in the daring production of the film, which consists to a great extent of close-ups: Joan’s inner struggle, her consternation, her doubt, her hope. Dreyer found the ideal actress in Maria Falconetti. Her incomparable performance is even to this day an example of her outstanding art as an actress.



Musical accompaniment is provided for the film by the jazz big band Euphonium and the musicians of the Braunschweig state orchestra.

The group "Euphonium" consists of Joel Drouin (director, composer), Alexandre Rasse (piano), Bernard Cochin (double bass), Denis Chancerel (guitar, banjo), Franz Genris G. ( vocals), Frank Enouf (drums, precussion), Hans Malte Witte (soprano saxophone, flute), Laurent Meyer (alto and tenor saxophone), Pierre Allart (tenor and soprano saxophone, oboe), Cyrille Sergé (alto and baritone saxophone), Thierry Lhiver (trombone), Bernhard Mergner (trumpet), Jörn Anders (trumpet) and Yves Leroy (sound) and Stéphanie Sappey (administration).

Euphonium is supported by the province of Upper Normandy and the city of Canteleu.




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