Three Colors: Red (1994)
"Trois couleurs: Rouge" (original title)

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.

Director:

Krzysztof Kieslowski

Writers:

Krzysztof Kieslowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz

Stars:

Irène Jacob, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Frédérique Feder

Top 250 #244 | Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 18 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

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...

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Plot Keywords:

judge | model | dog | redemption | privacy | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a brief but strong sex scene

Details

Country:

France Switzerland Poland

Language:

French

Release Date:

December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Red

Filming Locations:

Veyrier, Canton de Genève, Switzerland

Box Office

Gross:

$4,043,686 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

MK2 Productions, France 3 Cinéma, CAB Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

SERIES TRADEMARK: In all three parts of the trilogy, an elderly person can be seen trying to throw an empty bottle into a recycling bin. In this final entry, Valentine (Irène Jacob) helps her, while in the other two parts the main character just watches.

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Goofs

At the end of the film, one of the main characters carries a dog on the ferry to England. At the time the film was made there was strict anti-rabies quarantine in force and the ferry operator would not have allowed a dog on board if it were not inside an appropriate container AND due to be collected by an approved quarantine kennel.

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Quotes

The Judge: Perhaps you're the woman I never met.

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Connections

Featured in Krzysztof Kieslowski: I'm So-So... (1998)

User Reviews

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.