Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc

Plot

France, 1425. In the midst of the Hundred Years' War, the young Jeannette, at the still tender age of 8, looks after her sheep in the small village of Domremy. One day, she tells her friend Hauviette how she cannot bear to see the suffering caused by the English. Madame Gervaise, a nun, tries to reason with the young girl, but Jeannette 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.

Why watch

In a small village in France during the Hundred Years' War, young Jeannette tends to her sheep while grappling with the horrors of conflict around her. As she confides in her friend Hauviette about her desire to fight for her country, the film unfolds like a dream, blending musical elements with stark realism. Watching it feels like stepping into a world where innocence clashes with the weight of destiny, inviting reflection on the nature of belief and the burdens of youth.

Talking points

• the role of faith in personal identity
• the impact of war on childhood
• the use of music in storytelling
• the portrayal of historical figures in cinema

Cultural context

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