Carl Theodor Dreyer (1889-1968), Danish director, is widely regarded as one of the undisputed masters of world cinema. His career, which began in the silent era, culminated with the masterpiece **La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc** (1928), renowned for its revolutionary use of close-ups exploring inner suffering.

Transitioning to sound, he created works of profound spiritual and psychological depth, such as the unsettling **Vampyr** (1932), the moral drama **Dies Irae** (1943), and the metaphysical **Ordet - The Word** (1955) and **Gertrud** (1964).

Dreyer's style is characterized by an austere and rigorous *mise-en-scène*, carefully composed shots, long takes, and a predilection for expressive close-ups. His films explore universal themes such as faith, sacrifice, spiritual torment, and the female condition, often through characters who face existential dilemmas with intense introspection.