Polish film director Krzysztof Kieślowski (1941-1996) is one of the most influential directors of the 1980s and 1990s, with the Trois Couleurs trilogy – three films that came out in 1993 and 1994 – widely regarded as a highlight of his varied work. The trilogy title refers to the colours of the French flag, but also to the fundamental principles of the French Revolution: liberty, equality, and fraternity.
In Trois Couleurs: Bleu, Trois Couleurs: Blanc, and Trois Couleurs: Rouge, Kieślowski intelligently and often ironically presents the elaboration of these principles at the end of the 20th century, assigning a key role to themes such as kinship, chance and the search for what is morally correct. All three films were co-written by Kieślowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz and Agnieszka Holland.
Eye Filmmuseum has recently digitally restored the three films, which can be seen in Rialto De Pijp from 12 January 2023.
Trois couleurs: Bleu
In this first part of the Trois Couleurs trilogy, Kieślowski presents his view of the first principle of the French Republic: liberty. To great critical acclaim, the film garnering a slew of international film awards, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Leading actress Juliette Binoche also won several prizes.
Julie (Binoche) loses her husband Patrice, a celebrated composer, as well as her daughter in a grave car accident she herself survives. For Julie, the traumatic event draws a sharp dividing line in her life. She doesn't grieve, and she doesn't look for closure. Instead, she makes a clean break with her past and moves to Paris to live an unencumbered life, as she sees it. She isn't just rid off her old life, however. The past catches up with her in the form of an unfinished work by her husband.
Click here for all the Kieślowski films.
