My favorite of the color trilogy, barely fending off Blue. I'm guessing it has to do with Red being the first of the three I ever saw, and being the only Kieslowski I saw in theatres. I'm also a little bit obsessed with Irene Jacob. I was sure after her stunning performance as Valentine she would break through to American audiances.

This was the first movie I was introduced to what I call Kieslowski's cycle narratives. Valentine's distraught face after being rescued from the sinking ship at the end perfectly mirrors her bubble gum adds that are the opening camera shoot of the film. It's not that the story is a loop, its just that Kieslowski uses the reference to meditate on the feeling that the entire space was planned (which it was by her elder Judge). The entire film has a sense of being the machinations of the judge, who's heart goes out to both her and the distraught Karin. Red explores cynicism and redemption as the retired judge eavesdrops on the lives of neighbors, and follows fairly mundane individuals in the news.

Valentine is drawn to it, repulsed by it, but developes a profound understanding of the Judge's need to continue presiding over mankind's fate. She herself becomes subject to his machinations, but we are left with the gift of knowing she has influenced him as well. For not all his dabbling ends up being hostile, and he continues to exert influence on people who don't even know how they relate to him.

I've found the ambiguity of Kieslowki's camerawork and storytelling to be the perfet form of exploration rather than implication. He withholds passing judgement on his characters and instead sets them into a cityscape of overwhelming isolation where everyone is searching, whether they know it or not, for how they connect with others.

Very beautiful, very hainting imagery. It's the most depressing gum ad billboard one could come up with, for one thing.

A

probably the most clever of the three, but for some reason it didnt strike nearly the cord as did Blue and White. But its still pretty incredible....and its the only one of the three which has 'grown on me' since viewing (the other two were at the top from the get-go, and havent risen or fallen,) so that may bode well for its rewatchability.

Probably the best of the three. I liked Blue but prefer the commentary here.

Irene Jacobs was stunning.

This film is insanely pretty. The pace is slow enough but it really does draw you in, and by the end I was in love with the thing.

Needs to watch it again to do a right review but a strong A+ overall.

I'm not normally a man to love a film on film student style grounds either but this was impossible to resist. The perfect framing and usage of Red in virtually every scene was ingenious.

Yay Gulli!

Have you seen Blue? It's just as good, if not better. Kieslowski is a master. Is it just me, or does he have a knack for making the most beautiful woman in the world even more beautiful than you could ever imagine?

I bought all three, might watch Blue tonight.

And yes he does make them look heavenly

I really should have watched these in order thou since the Ferry scene confused the hell out of me initially until I wiki'd it.

Ugh Sorry Nebs http://worldofkj.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14567

As I said in the earlier thread, this is (imo) the strongest of the series.

I've been enjoying your avatar, Gulli. Irene Jacobs is truly stunning.

it was kinda shit and i hope kieslowski will never make a film again

Well, don't lose too much sleep over it. He's been dead for quite some time, so that shouldn't be much of a problem...

Hehe, Galia.