11 Jeanne d’Arc
-
Susan Hayward
Abstract
The release of Jeanne d'Arc in France was meant to cement the Le Cinquieme element's huge success. However, by the time of its release, the controversies surrounding the film's inception and production, to say nothing of its actual release time had given the idea of Luc Besson the Euro-warrior several new twists. Besson's film as an epic has worked its ideological and pedagogical effect by bringing history to a new audience. This chapter discusses, sexual ambiguity comes into play and, with it, a visitation by Jeanne into the world of androgyny and camp, all of which make her even more ungraspable. It focuses on two aspects of camp in relation to the Jeanne d'Arc. First, Jeanne/Milla Jovovich's androgyny and second is the visible presence in the film of camp amongst the male characters, as exemplified both by Charles the Dauphin and his noble warrior soldiers.
Abstract
The release of Jeanne d'Arc in France was meant to cement the Le Cinquieme element's huge success. However, by the time of its release, the controversies surrounding the film's inception and production, to say nothing of its actual release time had given the idea of Luc Besson the Euro-warrior several new twists. Besson's film as an epic has worked its ideological and pedagogical effect by bringing history to a new audience. This chapter discusses, sexual ambiguity comes into play and, with it, a visitation by Jeanne into the world of androgyny and camp, all of which make her even more ungraspable. It focuses on two aspects of camp in relation to the Jeanne d'Arc. First, Jeanne/Milla Jovovich's androgyny and second is the visible presence in the film of camp amongst the male characters, as exemplified both by Charles the Dauphin and his noble warrior soldiers.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- List of contributors viii
- Preface x
- Introduction 1
- 1 Three French neo-baroque directors 11
- 2 Du côté d’Europa, via Asia 23
- 3 Musical narration in the films of Luc Besson 43
- 4 Hearing Besson 57
- 5 Of suits and men in the films of Luc Besson 75
- 6 From rags to riches 91
- 7 The sinking of the self 109
- 8 Imprisoned freedoms 121
- 9 Nikita 135
- 10 Léon and the cloacal labyrinth 147
- 11 Jeanne d’Arc 161
- 12 An unpublished interview with Luc Besson 175
- Filmography 179
- Select bibliography 189
- Index of proper names and film titles 193
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- List of contributors viii
- Preface x
- Introduction 1
- 1 Three French neo-baroque directors 11
- 2 Du côté d’Europa, via Asia 23
- 3 Musical narration in the films of Luc Besson 43
- 4 Hearing Besson 57
- 5 Of suits and men in the films of Luc Besson 75
- 6 From rags to riches 91
- 7 The sinking of the self 109
- 8 Imprisoned freedoms 121
- 9 Nikita 135
- 10 Léon and the cloacal labyrinth 147
- 11 Jeanne d’Arc 161
- 12 An unpublished interview with Luc Besson 175
- Filmography 179
- Select bibliography 189
- Index of proper names and film titles 193
