Three Colors: Red (1994)

A model discovers a retired judge is keen on invading people's privacy.

Director:

Krzysztof Kieslowski

Writers:

Krzysztof Kieslowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz

Stars:

Irène Jacob, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Frédérique Feder

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 19 wins & 25 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Irène Jacob	...	Valentine
Jean-Louis Trintignant	...	Le juge Joseph Kern
Frédérique Feder	...	Karin
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:

friendship | ex judge | eavesdropping | judge | model | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #590.

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Goofs

The hull of the departing ferry as seen through the closing gates is white above the water line. The shots of the capsized ferry show a red hull above the water line.

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Quotes

Valentine: Excuse me... the door was open. I'm sorry, I think I ran over your dog. Rita. A German Shepherd.
The Judge: [Displaying little interest] It's possible. She disappeared yesterday.
Valentine: She's in my car. Alive. I don't know what to do.
Valentine: [after getting no response from the judge] Would you like me to take her to a vet?
The Judge: [Displaying little interest] As you wish.
Valentine: If I ran over your daughter, would you react the same way?
The Judge: [Displaying no emotion] I don't have a daughter, miss.
The Judge: [pauses, then turns to her] Go away... and don't...

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Memo to the Academy - 1995 (1995)

User Reviews

A masterwork

The final part of Kieslowski's trilogy based on the colors of the French flag finds the director at peace with the metaphysical and transcendent nature of the cinematic image. In Red, imagery is paramount, as well as the obvious but clever color coding. However, rather than adhering to empty aesthetic contrivances based on the 'cinema du look', Kieslowski's Red is a multi-layered, densely plotted meditation on the nature of fate and love. In Red, love and fate are intertwined but complex notions, dictated as much by the whims of human beings as the invisible parallel associations that seems to pass us by. You sense Red is really an allegory, a reenactment of Prospero's omnipresent gestures in The Tempest, yet it is more than its story appears. Red demands countless viewings, and in each viewing something new is discovered that weaves itself into the already immaculately plotted structure.

Although Red stands alone as a masterwork from Kieslowski, it's best viewed as part of the trilogy. Elements of Blue and White are referenced in Red, which knowing viewers will enjoy.

Details

Country:

Switzerland France Poland

Language:

French

Release Date:

23 November 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Three Colors: Red

Filming Locations:

Rue des Sources, Geneva, Canton de Genève, Switzerland

Box Office

Gross USA:

$3,581,969

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,581,969

Company Credits

Production Co:

MK2 Productions, France 3 Cinéma, CAB Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1