LOS ANGELES:

Variety

After mastering naturalism in “Camille Claudel 1915” and tragicomedy in “Slack Bay” which competed at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, French auteur Bruno Dumont will next be exploring musical drama with “Jeanette” and fantasy comedy with “Coin coin les z’inhumains.”

Dumont, who is sitting on Marrakech film festival’s jury, recently wrapped the filming of “Jeanette,” an adaptation of Charles Peguy’s play “Le Mystere de la charite de Jeanne d’Arc.”

Aiming to give a contemporary dimension to Peguy’s play, Dumont tapped Gautier Serre (aka Igorrr) to compose a rock and techno score and Philippe Decoufle (“New Order: Substance”) to create the choreography.

“I’m not interested in naturalism anymore. I converted to comedy because I wanted to go where I had never been, take risks; with ‘Li’l Quinquin’ and ‘Slack Bay’ I discovered that comedies can be bold and convey many things,” said Dumont.

“Joan of Arc is a powerful, poetic and spiritual figure who has inspired many filmmakers over the years — She’s a captivating character,” said Dumont, who explained the idea of telling her story through dancing and singing was meant to give it a modern, yet universal edge.

“Jeanette” charts the childhood of Joan of Arc from the age of 8 to 12, when she started to embrace her sacred mission. (RTRS)