Pope Joan (2009 film)

Plot

Shortly after Charlemagne's death, a girl named Johanna is born in Ingelheim am Rhein to a village priest and his Saxon wife, who secretly worships the pagan god Wotan. Her father rules his family harshly, but Johanna studies the Bible in secret. After her eldest brother dies, her father intends to send his second son Johannes to the cathedral school in Dorestad.

When teacher Aesculapius visits, Johanna proves more skilled with Scripture than Johannes, and against her father's wishes, Aesculapius teaches her, introducing works like Homer's Odyssey. A messenger from the bishop comes for Johanna, but her father sends Johannes instead. Johanna flees at night, finds her brother beside the slain messenger, and they reach Dorestad.

The bishop is surprised by her words, and teacher Odo reluctantly accepts her into his class. Count Gerold supports the adolescent Johanna and later falls in love with her. Gerold goes to war with Lothair I's army, and his wife Richilde tries to arrange a marriage for Johanna. Vikings attack during the wedding, killing Johanna's brother Johannes, but she survives.

Her father visits, discovers her identity, and dies of a stroke. When fever spreads, an elderly monk who knew her secret helps her avoid examination. She flees and is sheltered by Arn, son of a woman she once helped, becoming tutor to his daughter Arnalda.

Production

The film's production faced lengthy delays and financial and cast difficulties. Volker Schlöndorff began adapting the novel in 1999 with UFA and Senator, but Senator's 2004 bankruptcy led him to Bernd Eichinger and Constantin Film. Principal photography was shelved in 2007 after John Goodman's cancellation. Schlöndorff was dismissed after criticizing the production in a review, and Sönke Wortmann replaced him as director.

In May 2008, Johanna Wokalek replaced Franka Potente in the title role. Shooting began in early August 2008 at Burg Querfurt in Saxony-Anhalt, with additional locations including the Landesschule Pforta cloister and St. Cyriakus church in Gernrode; Rome scenes were filmed in Ouarzazate, Morocco. Principal shooting was completed in 2008.

Did You Know?

• The Guardian noted the film's appearance in the Italian box office top 10 and Vatican criticism.
• Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian Bishops' Conference, described the film as being of 'extremely limited vision'.