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Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc

Name: Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc
Director: Bruno Dumont
Released: 2017
Duration: 107 min

Representation Score

7.0/10

Good

2017

TV-PG

Director

Bruno Dumont

Runtime

107 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Jeannette is a postmodern deconstruction of the saintly biopic, trading linear history for a surrealist, carnival-like exploration of the sacred. It succeeds in challenging traditional gender roles and religious dogma through a fragmented, non-linear narrative. However, the film remains limited by its historical setting, resulting in a lack of racial and LGBTQ+ diversity. The portrayal of mental instability serves more as an aesthetic tool for surrealism than a nuanced look at disability. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its intellectual structure. It uses unconventional storytelling to dismantle monolithic authority, even if it lacks broad demographic representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not explicitly depict same-sex relationships or non-binary gender identities. While it explores themes of physical and spiritual boundaries, it does not center LGBTQ+ narratives.

How does Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc portray gender?

Good

Jeannette challenges traditional gender roles by focusing on a young girl's ability to drive the story. The film avoids patriarchal structures to emphasize a female-centric, dream-like reality.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc?

Limited

The cast is predominantly white and European, reflecting its 15th-century French setting. The film does not include diverse ethnic perspectives.

How does Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc represent religion and culture?

Good

Dumont questions religious institutions by framing the divine through madness and absurdity. The film prioritizes subjective, mystical truth over established Christian doctrine and traditional morality.

Does Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc include disability representation?

Fair

Themes of neurodivergence and mental instability appear through the lens of religious mysticism. These portrayals serve the film's surreal atmosphere rather than providing real ability to act to characters with disabilities.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by centering a young girl's ability to drive the story.
Questions religious institutions by presenting the divine through madness and absurdity.
Uses postmodern, non-linear storytelling to dismantle monolithic historical and religious narratives.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-binary gender expressions.
Maintains a predominantly white and European cast, offering little ethnic diversity.
Uses neurodivergence primarily as an aesthetic tool rather than providing character's ability to drive the story.

Official Synopsis

France, 1425. During the Hundred Years’ War, Jeannette, age of 8, looks after her sheep in the small village of Domremy. One day she tells her friend Hauviette how she cannot bear the suffering caused by the English. Madame Gervaise, a nun, tries to reason with the young girl, but she is ready to take up arms for the salvation of souls and the liberation of the Kingdom of France. Carried by her faith, she will become Joan of Arc.

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