The Messenger

THE MESSENGER: THE STORY OF JOAN OF ARC by Andrew Birkin and Luc Besson FADE IN: EXT.CHURCH - DOMREMY - DAY FADE UP on ripples on the surface of a puddle.Slow PAN UP:the water becomes placid, and in it we see the reflection of an inverted CROSS on the top of a small church.We move across the little churchyard and in through the open doors. INT.CHURCH - DOMREMY - DAY Utter simplicity -- stone walls, rough-hewn wooden benches, primitive saints in the stained-glass windows -- chickens peck among the straw that covers the earthen floor. INT.CONFESSIONAL BOX - CHURCH - DAY A little wooden grill slides open and the friendly face of the village PRIEST peers at us.He glances about, perplexed. PRIEST Is anybody there? A small hand appears -- then the face of a girl aged about 10, peering up at him through the grill.The Priest smiles a trifle wearily. PRIEST You know I'm always happy to see you, Jeanne, but to keep coming here twice, three times a day... JEANNE I need to confess. PRIEST But you already confessed this morning... JEANNE I need to confess again. PRIEST So... alright.What terrible sin have you committed since then that can't wait till tomorrow to be forgiven? Jeanne climbs up on the prayer-stool to be tall enough to look the Priest in the eye. JEANNE I saw a poor monk without shoes so I gave him some. PRIEST There's no sin in charity, Jeanne. JEANNE They weren't my shoes.Mine were too small. PRIEST Whose were they? JEANNE My father's. PRIEST I'm sure he'll forgive you.