Veknoid_Outcast on 19 February 2013
My #14 is The Passion of Joan of Arc, a haunting portrayal of the last hours of Joan of Arc. The movie is famous for its sophisticated and expensive production design and its camera work -- which allowed for many close-up shots. But what lingers after the movie ends are the faces: the tortured, somber face of Joan, the cruel, grotesque faces of her interrogators. Director Carl Theodor Dreyer used high-contrast photography (and no makeup) to show his audience all the imperfections of his actors' faces. In The Passion of Joan of Arc, facial expressions tell the story. Renee Falconetti's performance as Joan is one of the best in world cinema.
