The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc

Nothing is taboo.
Nothing is forbidden.
Anything can happen.
You only need to believe.

I finally saw it. John Malkovich and Tchéky Karyo support Milla Jovovich, bring raw voice and a glass beauty to his ancient story. You all know the story of Joan of Arc. The Messenger is that story. Some things differed from the version I know, but with a tale over 500 years old, nothing is written in black and white.

The story is beautiful. The story is sad. Is Joan a messenger from God? Are visions but illusion inside her own mind? Is there a difference? No. She was a symbol. People believed in her. They followed her. That is what is important. They made her real. If she stood, an army would follow.

She saved France. She saved France. Then, she was thrown away. With Charles VII in his throne, he no longer needed a soldier. He no longer needed a symbol. He had his crown. He cared not of anything further. And, so, he abandoned Joan. One by one, her band fell.

Her visions vanished. Was her mission over? France was still not free. She would not stop. Besson's film is beautiful. We see Joan speak to a cloaked man. Is he God? He is Satan? Is he Joan? Is there a difference? No.

Is it better to live a life that changes the world and die in fire, or is it better to break not the surface of the lake and live long and die in one's sleep? Which one would you take?

The Messenger is profoundly personal tale. Movies cannot change us. There must be something inside and reacts to the pictures and story. Movies can only affect us if we allow it. We must have something to begin with.

Did God choose Joan to lead an army? Did He? Or, perhaps he favored the British? Which side did He take? God was on Joan's side. She found something to believe in. God was her God. She was her God. Taboos are put in place to stop thinking and to perpetuate established order. With thoughts and ideals closed, we will stagnate.

Joan did what she did.

Nothing is taboo.
Nothing is forbidden.
Anything can happen.
You only need to believe.

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Peter Julian David-Luke Joan Coelos Tatara
7.6.2000

Dairy Farmers For Quebec's Independence