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Saint Joan the Maid

Name: Saint Joan the Maid
Director: Marco de Gastyne
Released: 1929
Duration: 125 min

Representation Score

2.6/10

Limited

1929

Director

Marco de Gastyne

Runtime

125 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Marco de Gastyne’s biographical drama stands out for its subversion of gender roles. By showcasing a woman in military and political leadership, the film challenges traditional views of female passivity. Additionally, the narrative offers a critical look at how religious and state institutions can be used against individuals. However, the film’s historical context and adherence to 1929 cinematic conventions limit its diversity. The cast is uniformly European, lacking racial or ethnic diversity. Moreover, there is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or disabilities.

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Category Breakdown

Does Saint Joan the Maid have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. Social interactions revolve around straight relationships and religious devotion.

How does Saint Joan the Maid portray gender?

Good

The film challenges 15th-century gender hierarchies by centering a female protagonist who holds military and political power. Joan’s leadership defies traditional portrayals of female passivity.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Saint Joan the Maid?

Minimal

The cast is uniform, reflecting the demographics of medieval France. The film features a European cast without any intentional racial mixing.

How does Saint Joan the Maid represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film highlights the corruption within institutional power by depicting the ecclesiastical trial. It explores the tension between personal faith and organized religion.

Does Saint Joan the Maid include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or documented representations of physical, neurodivergent, or mental health disabilities in the main storyline.

Present on Screen

The film successfully challenges traditional gender roles by featuring a woman in military and political leadership.
The narrative provides a critical perspective on the corruption within institutional power and the misuse of religious authority.

Limited or Absent

The film does not include any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth narratives.
There is no racial, ethnic, or disability representation in the story.
The casting is entirely homogeneous, offering no demographic variety beyond the historical setting.

Official Synopsis

This relatively straightforward dramatic biography was one of two films commissioned to honor Joan of Arc on the 500th anniversary of her death, but it was soon undeservedly relegated to obscurity in favor of Carl Dreyer's triumphant 'La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc'. The comparison is unfair: Dreyer was an artist, but director Marco de Gastyne certainly proved himself a distinguished craftsman, and his emphasis on the Maid of Orléans early life in Domrémy serves as a picturesque, matching bookend to Dreyer's impassioned courtroom drama.

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