In the first part of acclaimed Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski's extraordinary THREE COLORS trilogy, BLUE represents Liberty (of Equality and Fraternity) in the French flag and national motto. Julie (Juliette Binoche) is a young, musically gifted Frenchwoman who has just lost her daughter and renowned composer-husband Patrice (Claude Duneton) in a tragic car accident. During her long physical and emotional convalescence, a journalist questions Julie about the widespread rumor that she's the actual composer of all Patrice's work. She rebuffs the journalist's inquiry regarding her husband's music, but she does not deny it. Upon leaving the hospital, Julie takes a flat in Paris and struggles to start anew--but not until she destroys Patrice's final unfinished work: a huge symphony for twelve orchestras, to be played at a gala celebrating the upcoming unification of twelve European nations. But another copy surfaces, and gradually, as Julie discovers some surprising secrets about her husband's life, she's drawn back to the music, and the pleasures of existence. Kieslowski uses color as metaphor ingeniously, adding immense emotional depth to the story that is unfolding on screen. As Julie, Binoche is a striking cinematic presence. Her transition from a destroyed widow to a woman who has learned to embrace life gives BLUE the heart and soul that makes it a powerful, moving work.
The first installment of Polish cinematic genius Kieslowski's THREE COLORS trilogy, BLUE stands for Liberty (of Equality and Fraternity) in the French national motto, and is the first color of the French flag. A young woman (Juliette Binoche) tries to uncover her husband, a famous composer's, secret life after he dies mysteriously. Each step takes her both closer to, and further from, the truth in her journey; her path is ultimately about her own self-discovery.
BLUE was released theatrically in February 1994.
The film was shot in Paris, France.
BLUE was shown at the Venice, Toronto, Telluride, and New York Film Festivals.
It won the award for Best Picture at the Venice Film Festival.
Juliette Binoche won the award for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. She also won a French Cesar Award as Best Actress for her role. Later Binoche went on to win an Oscar for her performance in THE ENGLISH PATIENT by director Anthony Minghella.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Additional Release Material:
Additional Footage - 1. Krzysztof Kieslowski Cinema Lesson
2. A Discussion On Kieslowski's Early Years
Production Interview - 1. Jacques Witta
2. Marin Karmitz
3. Juliette Binoche
Audio Commentary - 1. Annette Insdorf
2. Jacques Witta
3. Marin Karmitz (Selected Scenes)
4. Juliette Binoche (Selected Scenes)
Featurette - 1. REFLECTIONS ON BLEU
Bonus Short - 1. Kieslowski Student Film: "Concert of Wishes"
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus
Text/Photo Galleries:
Filmographies
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Review 1:
"...Stunningly filmed..." - Recommended
Source: Premiere
p.115 09/01/1994
Review 2:
"...A riveting central performance by a carefully controlled, lovingly lit Juliette Binoche..."
Source: Variety
09/20/1993
Review 3:
"...A masterpiece....Kieslowski is modern cinema's great prestidigitator: a humanist disguised as misanthrope..."
Source: Film Comment
p.64-6 11/01/1993
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