Viggo Mortensen on THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC

Viggo Mortensen joins us for an introduction and Q&A following a screening of Carl Theodor Dreyer's legendary and unforgettable silent classic, presented in a 35mm print hand-picked by Mortensen from TIFF’s Film Reference Library Screening Collection.
Viggo Mortensen
Since his screen debut as a young Amish farmer in director Peter Weir's Witness, Viggo Mortensen's film career has been marked by a string of diverse performances. Critics have continually recognized his work in more than 40 films, including The Road, Appaloosa, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, A Walk on the Moon, Portrait of a Lady, Carlito's Way, The Indian Runner, The Reflecting Skin, the Spanish-language features Alatriste, La Pistola de Mi Hermano, and Everybody Has a Plan, and David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises, A History of Violence, and A Dangerous Method.

[@UlrichUlrich]

THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC changed the way I look at movies. When I was a kid I used to watch (and love) the Police Academy movies and other movies of similar ilk. But one day I borrowed a VHS copy of THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC from my school library - took the cassette home and popped it in our livingroom VCR player. The copy was in bad shape, scratches and dirt ALL over the screen! But the movie was just so gripping and Falconetti so captivating that I barely noticed it! The experience of seeing that movie that afternoon floored me. From that day on I started to look at movies as more than just entertainment and I started seeking out more challenging movies - movies from all over the world. THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC kickstarted that for me. And for that, the movie will always have a special place in my heart. THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC is indelible Cinema.

[@nakamoto9120]

Looll

[@TheRealValus]

Bravo bravo. Still, I've got to say, the genius of Steve Gutenberg has yet to be fully recognized. And then there is George Gaynes' masterful portrayal of Commandant Lassard, C'est magnifique! Even more compelling than his expertly crafted depiction of Henry Warnimont, on the groundbreaking 80's sitcom, Punky Brewster. Let's face it, the man was a national treasure!

[@louisanelson7948]

I just got done watching this movie and I was mesmerized by Falconetti’s performance and I cried at the end. Very moving and powerful!

[@nchinth]

yes i was stunned when i first watched it a couple of years ago. unbelievable it's almost a century old! ALL of the actors are wonderful; i was amazed how much emotion they were able to convey without sounds.

[@jubjub2112]

One of the greatest films ever produced, directed, and acted. Not at all surprised that Viggo loves this film. What Falconeti accomplished without sound, without her voice ..... astounding!! Everything about this film is perfect

[@kevinyoung7294]

I think its my favourite silent. Nosferatu and caligari are iconic. But this is just so good. So simple and original. cant imagine seeing it back then

[@chrisredfield3607]

My favorite silent is Chaplin's City Lights. Runs the gamut of Chaplin's talents and brings me to tears at the ending.

[@thebacons5943]

Transcends what the medium was at the time. It would be a time before even sound films, which were right around the corner, would catch up

[@jakob8076]

The complete restored version of Metropolis with Huppertz original score is also unbelievable

[@OldBluesChapterandVerse]

Still remember the first and second times I saw it, back to back, probably 25 years ago now. I watched it and when it ended, immediately went upstairs to wake my brother and forced him to come downstairs to watch it that instant.

[@carolsworld6146]

Viggo is amazing love him I Saw this movie and this movie change the way i see cinema today

[@TTM9691]

Wow, I"m watching this now, I'm so happy and grateful to have a good actor take us through this incredible movie (and performance!).

[@lucyoriginales]

🥰 he is shy

[@JosuaPoulsen]

not shy.. humble

[@DonnaMcMasterRiver]

Now I have to see The Passion of Joan of Arc ! Heading to Amazon ... ;) Oh and I appreciated his comments about Demi Moore in G.I. Jane; I also felt that she hadn't gotten credit for her work in that film.

[@williaminavanbottle9297]

I find his delivery easy to take in... He feeds one the narrative in little Segments. No overloading the listener with too Much information. Very likable individual. And most certainly an...Actor! "The Road" Being a film that will Grow in stature for every passing Year. PS. Don't just watch "The Road" once... Each time you watch it... Well, you'll understand by watching It again and again. You'll...Feel it!

[@harrynoke6458]

I liked your delivery in this comment, reads like real speech

[@davidsanderson5918]

According to the book that came with the excellent (and highly recommendable) MOC bluray boxset of the movie, Falconetti took her own life. Viggo pauses after saying when she died....but either decided not to say, or didn't know!

[@HORSESNDOGS9]

That's so sad 😢

[@Matrix-Revelation]

interesting Aragorn is talking about the movie, Eowyn's character is loosely based on Joan of Arc, the whole premise of Lord of the rings is that its a fellowship of "Chosen ones" from different cultures, you can see the inspiration From Merlin the Wizard and King Arthur and also Chief Crazy horse and Braveheart who are all very similar characters in history in the fact hey all were military leaders who define Bravery and Courage just a side note, Merlin Prophesized Joan and Arthur with his "visions" Crazy horse had his own visions like Joan, and Braveheart was saved by the Celt who had the vision from the Almighty

[@actadiurna6733]

This is another example of why you cannot discuss a movie about history without knowing at least something about the real history. Viggo Mortensen said something about the "manipulative hypocrisy of the members of the church in [or "and"?] the French state", seemingly unaware that the people who convicted her were all collaborators who supported the English cause and in many cases directly worked for the English government in Normandy, especially the judge, Pierre Cauchon, who had a long well-documented history of corruption working for the English and Burgundian faction. The movie at least implies some of this but relies entirely on the trial transcript - which eyewitnesses said was falsified - rather than the more reliable evidence. This problem takes precedence over the trendy filmmaking techniques such as showing us excruciating closeup shots of every wart on the faces of the characters.

[@antoinemozart243]

It was not subtitled in French Vigo , !

[@chiarasanmarco79]

Pasolini did one and it’s enough

[@lazovkalazovovska5119]

HEAD PICK!!! :)))

[@soulscry]

Her (Joan's) conviction (under duress) and death was political. She was handed over to the English by her own King (who became jealous b/c she was perceived as robbing him of his Kingly victory. She "stole the crown," without intending it. She believed in the voices that guided her. She was devotional by nature. The inquisition, not the church itself, is made up of men fallen by nature, was supposed to discern and determine if those voices were from God or demonic. They didn't want the truth, they wanted a confession and they wanted revenge for losing the war with France, but they kept being foiled by her innocence and the heavenly influences she was under. It terrorized their conscience. It was THEY who were under the influence of demons, not her. God have mercy on all those who sought to destroy an innocent soul. They would face our Lord's judgment at their death. For all those who see St. Joan as somehow justifying your Marxist feminism or lesbianism or trans-sexual degeneracy, you are terribly mistaken. Such delusions are truly demonic meant to destroy our human nature. Joan was a true Catholic saint and martyr. She died being true to our Lord for His sake not her own. That is what makes her a saint.

[@M-up9js]

Amen ❤‍🔥

[@chiarasanmarco79]

Dreyer is about faith not god ...the faith beyond everything

[@lucyoriginales]

Cosita 💋 (cosita=corazón)

[@lazovkalazovovska5119]

CRONENBERG

[@Eleanor-Freya]

I'm torn. It is an artistic masterpiece, indeed. But it stands in the line with "Freaks" (1932) or "Cargo 200" (2007), or "Kids" (1995) or "Requiem for a Dream" for me in terms of the affect they all had on me when I watched them - over the top, unapologetic, unexplainable disturbance for human kind and such extreme kind of art produced (with who knows what stood behind it...I mean the woman going insane and killing herself after it says something, doesn't it?). A kind of movie that I would probably want to watch one more time in 5 or 10 years (shall I even want to, I'm not sure). That, of course, besides the fact that it will leave a permanent mental picture in my head with its images. The problem I have with everyone here - what can possibly cause anyone want to watch this movie over and over again (first and foremost, Viggo, the speaker - he said he watched it the most times compared to any other movie throughout his entire life)?? What makes you want to relive and re-experience this thing that many times??