Overview

A classic of the silent age, this film tells the story of St. Joan of Arc, who heard God’s call to take up arms against the British who were occupying her homeland of France during the 15th century. The film will be live-scored by Ahmed Ag Kaedi (featured in the documentary Mali Blues), Dramane Toure, and Belco Guido, all musicians living and performing in Mali, a country once colonized by France currently experiencing a protracted crisis of insecurity since an initial rebellion broke out in 2012. All from Northern Mali, which spent nearly a year under hardline Islamist occupation in 2012–2013 and continues to be plagued by rebel groups and bandits, the visiting musicians view their performances, including their improvised film scores, as a means for dialogue and peace.