Trois couleurs: Rouge (1994)

Director:

Krzysztof Kieslowski

Writers:

Krzysztof Kieslowski (writer)
Krzysztof Piesiewicz (writer)

Release Date:

December 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

Plot:

Final entry in a trilogy of films dealing with contemporary French society concerns a model who discovers her neighbour is keen on invading people's privacy.

Plot Keywords:

Judge | Model | Redemption | Dog | Trilogy

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 14 nominations

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)
Paul Vermeulen	...	L'ami de Karin (Karen's friend)
Jean-Marie Daunas	...	Le gardien du théâtre (Theatre manager)
Roland Carey	...	Le trafiquant (Drug dealer)
Brigitte Raul
Leo Ramseyer

Also Known As:

Three Colours: Red (Canada: English title) (UK)
Red (USA) (short title)
Three Colors: Red (USA)
Trzy kolory: Czerwony (Poland)

MPAA:

Rated R for a brief but strong sex scene.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

Poland | France | Switzerland

Language:

French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:14 (New Brunswick/Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island) (DVD rating) | Iceland:L | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:AL | Norway:10 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Geneva, Canton de Genève, Switzerland

Company:

CAB Productions

Trivia:

Citing that it does not meet enough of the necessary guidelines concerning a film's "artistic control" within a foreign co-production, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences disqualified the film from competing as Switzerland's official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. (In an unprecedented move, Switzerland rejected the Academy's offer to submit another film.) Miramax Films' co-chairman Harvey Weinstein persuaded more than sixty industry heavyweights to sign a letter of complaint urging the Academy to reconsider its stance, to no avail.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: A stage hand reflected in the window upon Valentine's first visit to the Judge's house.

Quotes:

The Judge: I want nothing.
Valentine: Then stop breathing.
The Judge: Good idea.

Movie Connections:

Features Dead Poets Society (1989)

Krzysztof Kieslowski's Testament

This is the last film of Krzysztof Kieslowski - one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema. He intended to retire after this film, so in a way it is his artistic testament. He died a couple of years after making the film, and though it is said that he intended to return to directing, Destiny decided that this was indeed his last. And what a film!

'Rouge' the last film in the three colors French trilogy is actually a very Swiss film. Set in Geneva, one of the two main characters is a Swiss retired judge, and Durenmatt immediately comes to mind. But there is more Switzerland in the cool atmosphere, in the lack of communication of the characters, in the politeness that envelops cruelty of life. Several characters who start with little relationship will come together at the end in a moving and human final, which only a great artist could have staged.

Little else can be said that was not said and written hundred of times. Yes, the film starts slowly, and the fans of the American style of action movies or melodramas will get discouraged first and will get lost as viewers. They deserve it. The film gets quality as it advances, and one of the not so hidden messages is that real life and real humans are more interesting than the Hollywood cartoon and plastic action and characters. Cinema quality is very original, the image being a 'Study in Red', as the title shows. Acting is fabulous, with Irene Jacob and Jean-Louis Trintignant - the later in what will remain probable the best role of his old age.

A great film. Seeing it again probably adds, and I am happy to have it recorded on tape. 9/10 on my personal scale.