Sound in a Silent Pilgrimage

In watching the Passion of Joan of Arc, the first thing that I notice throughout this movie is of course the lack of sound.  Although there is no vocal dialogue (and often no subtitles) there are a few scenes which feature background music. The scene I choose to focus on is the "torture" scene, in which Joan is brought into the torture room to be persuaded further to sign the confession, although they never actually inflict physical pain on her using the various devices.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC3IoY-gXzQ 

This scene's music provides a very ominous tint to the atmosphere.  This is not "Alleluia" or "Ave Maria." Richard Einhorn's "Torture" is indeed evoking negative feelings for this scene.  This music is definitely condemning the torture room and emphasizing the silent battle that has been waging between Joan and the judges.  This scene contrasts with the parts of the film devoid of musical accompaniment, which I feel are often less emphasized and seem less realistic. Although there is music in the torture room, there are several instances where the camera focuses on objects mainly because of the sound that is implied than because of the actual image.  For example, we see Joan's shackled feet and a chain being pulled up.  These images of chains immediately call to mind the clinking of the links as they hit one another.

 I feel that this scene is an important segment of Joan's pilgrimage from going fearing for her safety as France's hero to finally accepting her martyrdom and passage away from this world.  However, contrary to Turner's belief of communitas in a pilgrimage, I believe that this scene argues that there is no communitas for Joan as she makes her way alone.  The music seems to speak in such a way that the singers are acting as the voices for specific characters.  It seems that whenever Joan is making a statement or conversing with the judges, a lone female vocalist sings out.

(see 1:03 in the video)

However, when she says something to provoke the judges into anger, a massive force of roaring male singers seems to erupt just as the judges are erupting in shouting fits.

(see 2:17 in the video)

This scene climaxes when Joan cannot take any more of the shouting and the merciless, deadly movements of the torture devices and finally faints, silencing the judges as well as the music.  Another aspect of this scene goes more directly to the premise that Joan is separated from the world, and that is whenever the judge says that in rejecting the Church, she is making herself separated from the world and will be alone (their underlining.)

(see 3:49 in the video)

 The solitude of Joan's pilgrimage is represented in other aspects of the movie, such as when she is alone in the room as the judges are being informed that she has changed her decision.  The inside of that room is quiet and peaceful, if perhaps mournful,  
 
 whereas the outside is a happy, carnival like atmosphere ignorant of Joan's decision.  The two scenes represent a very polar duality between the experience of Joan on her pilgrimage and the rest of the world not present with her in communitas.