Ramos turns to historical figure in Jeanne Captive

by Fabien Lemercier

07/12/2010 - After a very low-key shoot this autumn, Philippe Ramos’s third feature, Jeanne Captive (“Joan, Prisoner”), is now in post-production. After Farewell Homeland (2003) and Captain Ahab [trailer] (Best Director Award at Locarno in 2007), the director is tackling the last year in the life of a historical figure who has already inspired at least 40 films: Joan of Arc.

The cast includes Clémence Poésy (currently on screens in Lullaby [trailer]), Mathieu Amalric (On Tour [trailer, film focus]), Thierry Frémont (State Affairs [trailer]), Irish actor Liam Cunningham (The Wind that Shakes the Barley [trailer, film focus]), Louis-Do de Lencquesaing (Father of My Children [trailer, film focus]), Yohan Leysen, Jean-François Stévenin, Bernard Blancan and Pauline Acquart.

Scripted by Ramos, the film opens in 1430. Joan of Arc is imprisoned. Left by her king in the hands of the English, the young woman tries to end her life.

Before this sacrilegious act, the divine voices that have always guided and protected her disappear, leaving Joan profoundly alone in the face of her fatal destiny.

Produced by Michel Zana and Sophie Dulac for Sophie Dulac Productions, Jeanne Captive has received a pre-acquisition from Orange Cinéma, a €500,000 advance on receipts from the National Film and Moving Image Centre (CNC), a €352,000 grant from the Ile-de-France region, backing from the Sofica Banque Postale Image 4, and support from Media Développement and Procirep.

The shoot, which lasted about seven weeks, took place mainly in Vincennes, Provins, Blandy-les-Tours and the forest of Fontainebleau. The film will be released in French theatres by Sophie Dulac Distribution and international sales are being handled by Films Distribution.

(Translated from French)