Krzysztof Kieslowski's Trois Couleurs (Three Colors) [3 DVD9] [2003]

Even though one can view each segment of Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colors trilogy on its own, it seems absurd to do so; why buy the slacks instead of the entire suit? Created by Kieslowski and his writing partner Krzysztof Piesiewicz for France's bicentennial, the titles–and the themes of the films–come from the three colors of the French flag representing liberty, equality, and fraternity. Blue examines liberation through the eyes of a woman (Juliette Binoche) who loses her husband and daughter in an auto accident, and solemnly starts anew. White is an ironic comedy about a befuddled Polish husband (Zbigniew Zamachowski) who takes an odd path of revenge against his ex-wife (Julie Delpy). A Swiss model (Irène Jacob) strikes up a friendship with a retired judge (Jean-Louis Trintignant) who eavesdrops on his neighbors in Red. The trilogy is a snapshot of European life at a time of reconstruction after the Cold War, reflected through Kieslowski's moralist view of human nature and illumined by each title's palate color.

The DVD set has numerous extras spread throughout the three discs; the end result is a superior collection. Each disc has a short retrospective, culled together from new interviews with Kieslowski's crew, plus film critic Geoff Andrew, biographer Annette Insdorf (who also does the commentaries), and fellow Polish director Ageniska Holland. Producer Marin Karmitz also reminisces about the experience. There's an exceptional effort to show the magic of Kieslowski (who died two years after the trilogy) through a discussion of his various career phases, interviews with the three lead actresses, four student films, and archival materials including simple–and wonderful–glimpses of the director at work. Excellent insight is also provided by Dominique Rabourdin's filmed "cinema lessons" with Kieslowski. Without viewing any of his other films, this set illustrates the uniqueness of Kieslowski. –Doug Thomas






Blue is the first part of Kieslowski's trilogy on France's national motto: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. Blue is the story of Julie who loses her husband, an acclaimed European composer and her young daughter in a car accident. The film's theme of liberty is manifested in Julie's attempt to start life anew free of personal commitments, belongings grief and love. She intends to spiritually commit suicide by withdrawing from the world and live completely independently, anonymously and in solitude in the Parisian metropolis. Despite her intentions, people from her former and present life intrude with their own needs. However, the reality created by the people who need and care about her, a surprising discovery and the music around which the film revolves heals Julie and irresistably draws her back to the land of the living.







MOVIE:
DIRECTOR: Krzysztof Kieslowski
COUNTRY: France | Poland | Switzerland
YEAR: 1993

Cast
Juliette Binoche … Julie Vignon - de Courcy
Benoît Régent … Olivier (as Benoit Regent)
Florence Pernel … Sandrine
Charlotte Véry … Lucille (as Charlotte Very)
Hélène Vincent … La journaliste (as Helene Vincent)
Philippe Volter … L'agent immobilier
Claude Duneton … Le médecin
Hugues Quester … Patrice (Mari de Julie)

Credits
Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski
Screenplay: Krzysztof Kieslowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz, Agnieszka Holland, Edward Zebrowski, Slawomir Idziak
Cinematography: Slawomir Idziak
Editing: Jacques Witta








DVD:
DVD RELEASE: March 4, 2003
STUDIO: Miramax
SYSTEM: NTSC
SCREEN: 1.85:1
COLOR
AUDIO: French Dolby Digital Stereo
SUBTITLES: English
RUNTIME (MOVIE): 98 minutes

EXTRACTION:
ENGINE: DVD Fab
DVD: 1 Full Dual-Layer DVD
FILE EXTENSION: Image (.ISO)
FILE SIZE: 7.77 GB

Disc Features:

* "Reflections on Bleu" featurette
* Audio commentary with film scholar Annette Insdorf (in English)
* Juliette Binoche selected scenes commentary
* A discussion on director Krzysztof Kieslowski's early years
* A conversation with actress Juliette Binoche on Krzysztof Kieslowski
* Krzysztof Kieslowski's cinema lesson
* Producer Marin Karmitz interview with selected scenes and commentary
* Editor Jacques Witta interview and commentary
* Krzysztof Kieslowski student film: "Concert of Wishes"
* Krzysztof Kieslowski filmography








The destructive dynamics of a relationship based upon great inequality. Karol is a Polish hairdresser working in France. He has a beautiful wife, Dominique, whom he loves to obsession, and who is in the process of divorcing him for his inability to "consummate the marriage". Karol loses all of his earthly possessions and is literally driven out of France by his estranged wife. He then fights to resolve his deep passion for Dominique with his own helplessness.








MOVIE:
DIRECTOR: Krzysztof Kieslowski
COUNTRY: France | Poland | Switzerland
YEAR: 1994

Cast
Zbigniew Zamachowski … Karol Karol
Julie Delpy … Dominique
Janusz Gajos … Mikolaj
Jerzy Stuhr … Jurek
Aleksander Bardini … Le notaire (The Lawyer)
Grzegorz Warchol … L'elégant (The Elegant Man)
Cezary Harasimowicz … L'inspecteur (The Inspector)

Credits
Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski
Screenplay: Krzysztof Kieslowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz, Agnieszka Holland, Edward Zebrowski, Edward Klosinski, Marcin Latallo
Cinematography: Edward Klosinski
Editing: Urszula Lesiak







DVD:
DVD RELEASE: March 4, 2003
STUDIO: Miramax
SYSTEM: NTSC
SCREEN: 1.85:1
COLOR
AUDIO: French Dolby Digital Stereo
SUBTITLES: English
RUNTIME (MOVIE): 92 minutes

EXTRACTION:
ENGINE: DVD Fab
DVD: 1 Full Dual-Layer DVD
FILE EXTENSION: Image (.ISO)
FILE SIZE: 7.51 GB

Disc Features:

* A look at "Blanc"
* Audio commentary with film scholar Annette Insdorf (in English)
* Julie Delpy selected scenes w/commentary and interview
* A discussion on director Krzysztof Kieslowski's later years
* A discussion on working with Krzysztof Kieslowski
* A conversation with actress Julie Delpy on Krzysztof Kieslowski
* Krzysztof Kieslowski's cinema lesson
* Producer Marin Karmitz interview
* Behind the scenes of "White" with director Krzysztof Kieslowski
* Krzysztof Kieslowski student film: "Trolley"
* Krzysztof Kieslowski student film: "The Face" (music only, no dialogue)
* Krzysztof Kieslowski student film: "The Office"
* Krzysztof Kieslowski filmography










Valentine is a young model living in Geneva. Because of a dog she ran over, she meets a retired judge who spies his neighbours' phone calls, not for money but to feed his cynicism. The film is the story of relationships between some human beings, Valentine and the judge, but also other people who may not be aware of the relationship they have with Valentine or/and the old judge. Redemption, forgiveness and compassion…







MOVIE:
DIRECTOR: Krzysztof Kieslowski
COUNTRY: France | Poland | Switzerland
YEAR: 1994

Cast
Irène Jacob … Valentine (as Irene Jacob)
Jean-Louis Trintignant … Le juge
Frédérique Feder … Karin (as Frederique Feder)
Jean-Pierre Lorit … Auguste
Samuel Le Bihan … Le photographe (Photographer) (as Samuel Lebihan)
Marion Stalens … Le Vétérinaire (Veterinary surgeon)
Teco Celio … Le barman (Barman)
Bernard Escalon … Le disquaire (Record dealer)
Jean Schlegel … Le voisin (Neighbour)
Elzbieta Jasinska … La femme (Woman)


Credits
Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski
Screenplay: Krzysztof Kieslowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz
Cinematography: Piotr Sobocinski
Editing: Jacques Witta







DVD:
DVD RELEASE: March 4, 2003
STUDIO: Miramax
SYSTEM: NTSC
SCREEN: 1.85:1
COLOR
AUDIO: French Dolby Digital Stereo
SUBTITLES: English
RUNTIME (MOVIE): 99 minutes

EXTRACTION:
ENGINE: DVD Fab
DVD: 1 Full Dual-Layer DVD
FILE EXTENSION: Image (.ISO)
FILE SIZE: 7.7 GB

Disc Features:

* Insights into trois coleurs - "Rouge"
* A conversation with Irene Jacob on director Krzysztof Kieslowski
* Irene Jacob selected scenes commentary
* Audio commentary with film scholar Annette Insdorf (in English)
* Krzysztof Kielowski's cinema lesson
* Marin Karmitz interview
* Behind the scenes of RED with Krzysztof Kieslowski
* Jacques Witta interview and commentary
* Krzysztof Kieslowski filmography
* RED at the Cannes Film Festival, 1994