Editor

Fifth Release Arriving May 8 Online

Her Hometown Museum in Domremy, France

Acquiring Longterm License to Screen Film

(Topanga, CA) Taking on literary legends who go up against the odds is what Classics in Miniature® does best. Eight years in the making, this fifth film from the singularly focused puppeteer behind, or in this case above the project is writer/director Steven Ritz Barr with the provocative and endearing Joan of Arc as his protagonist.  “The Legend of Joan of Arc” is an impressive mid-length feature film with a cast of 25 carved characters by master puppet maker Eugene Seregin from Russia and cast perfectly by the director. “Getting people excited about classic literature is a mission of mine. My puppets are my super powers that bring these classics to life in a very humble way. One that allows for the viewers’ imagination to kick in,” Ritz Barr enthused. This project brought together an international cast and crew with never-before-seen cinematic marionette action.  He added wryly, “There is no CG used in any of my films.”  Sneak peeks of the film were enthusiastically received at Joan’s hometown of Domremy, France as well as in Berlin, Germany and Tunis, Tunisia.

Embark in the heroic journey of Joan of Arc, a peasant girl in 15th century France who, through visions of Saint Michael, became the first female captain of the French Army for King Charles VII at age seventeen, and was burned at the stake two years later by the inquisition of the Catholic Church in Rouen, France, only much later to become a Saint. Often seen as a nationalist, a feminist, and a religious icon, Joan of Arc has inspired authors like William Shakespeare, Bertolt Brecht, Friedrich Schiller, Bernard Shaw, Winston Churchill, and Mark Twain - whose novel “The Recollections of Joan of Arc” is the main literary inspiration for this film.

Recently the Maison Natale Jeanne d’Arc in Domremy which championed “The Legend of Joan of Arc” project from its inception is now in the process of licensing the rights for the next ten years. He said, “It’s an honor beyond measure for me that my film has been chosen to become a part of the museum.”  His extensive research on this French country girl who changed the course of history is visible in every frame of the film.  Production values are off the charts for a puppet driven film.

French Critic Marcel Gay hailed it as, “…without a doubt one of the most beautiful homages of the 7^th Art to the Maid of Orleans.” Calling Ritz Barr, “a real magician.” After describing the many things Joan endures Gay says, “You forget about the puppet, you don’t see the strings, the spectator is transported into the history of this young girl of France who possesses the values and courage and faith…A film as fascinating as the legend.” Ending the review with the best thing he could say, “A must see.”

And you can do just that when it becomes available online May 8, 2019 on Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Kanopy.  Running time: 50 minutes.  Download, Rent, Own – sign up on our mailing list to get the latest information on advance sales.  www.joanofarcpuppetfilm.com

Classics in Miniature “Joan” Production team consists of co-writer and producer Lucas Mireles. Cinematographer Phil Klucsarits and epic score composed by Philip White (''Supernatural,'' ''Ray Donovan'').  In English with subtitles in French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic.  A French speaking version is also in the works.  Voice Talents: Andia Winslow, William O'Leary, and Phil Baron.

How did master puppeteer Ritz Barr choose Joan of Arc over the other good literary possibilities? It was the venerable actor Michael York OBE, who voiced Don Quixote for him several years ago, who told Steven unequivocally “Do St. Joan by (George) Bernard Shaw.” The other classic femmes of interest who didn’t make the cut were Cleopatra and Annie Oakley. “In the end, Joan of Arc fit better with the film library of these classics I’m creating.” Ritz Barr is ISO a few classic investors who love literature to make his dream a reality. His voice trailing off like Quixote… “if I have an investor, a very extraordinary investor who sees literature as an important component of our lives for all time.”  There’s always hope when it’s against all odds. 

Classics in Miniature® is a series of stunning films based on great works of literature-- using beautifully designed, one-of-a-kind puppets.  We present these timeless classics in the most entertaining and artistically creative way. Distributed to educational market (from age 12 through university) and to the general public, these unique films are for everyone - young and old, cynical and romantic.

https://www.joanofarcpuppetfilm.com

https://ClassicsinMiniature.com