The Film’s SourcesThe Film’s Sources

The plot refers to a historical case of mass hysteria in an Ursuline convent in Loudun (France) in the 17th century. Remnants of the real story: a hunchback nun; a priest burned at the stake; the exorcist’s name (Josef Suryn).

The Film’s SourcesThe Film’s Sources

Film adaptation of a story by Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz (1943).

Contains allusions to Jewish mysticism and quotes a pre-war Polish-Yiddish film Der Dybbuk (1937).

Mother Joan of the Mother Joan of the AngelsAngels

“The devils that possess these characters are the external manifestations of their repressed love. The devils are like sins, opposite to their human nature. It is like the devils give the man and woman an excuse for their human love.”

Jerzy Kawalerowicz

Mother Joan of the Mother Joan of the AngelsAngels

What kind of setting do we see? What is its meaning?

What role does the black-and-white contrast play?

How does the camera move?

What types of shots are there? Why?

Film Study Terms: Film Study Terms: LightLight

Key lighting. The light providing most or all light in the scene.

Ambient light. The natural light surrounding the subject, usually soft.

Cross-lighting. The source of light is on the side.

Film Study Terms: Film Study Terms: LightLight

Front Lighting. Lighting that illuminates the subject from the position of the camera.

Back lighting. The main source of light is behind the subject, silhouetting it.

Film Study Terms: Film Study Terms: LightLight

Top-lighting. Lighting from the top.

Under-lighting. The source of light is below the subject.

Mother Joan of the Mother Joan of the AngelsAngels

“We are not just watching these people from the side. We become them. We are in them, and they are in us. The whole film is about this. I wanted people watching the film to alternate between being him and being her. I didn't want them just to witness the film, but to be in the film.”

Jerzy Kawalerowicz