Three Colors: White

About Three Colors: White

Three Colors: White, released in 1994, is the second episode of Three Colors Trilogy, directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. The film tells the tragicomic story of a humble Polish immigrant Karol Karol (Zbigniew Zamachowski) who, after being divorced by his beautiful French wife Dominique (Julie Delpy), is left with nothing in Paris. After a series of misfortunes, Karol starts from scratch in Warsaw and elaborates a rocambolesque plan for revenge.

Making / Production

The film is produced by France, Poland, and Switzerland, is set in Paris and Warsaw, and presents a somewhat bizarre view of Poland in the transition from communism to capitalism. The script was written by Krzysztof Piesiewicz and Krzysztof Kieslowski himself, making the audience question about equality, one of the themes of France's Motto.

Actors

• Zbigniew Zamachowski - Playing the character of Karol Karol, a Polish immigrant, Zamacho delivers an incredibly heartfelt performance, capturing the essence of a man who has lost everything and is desperate for redemption.
• Julie Delpy - Delpy plays Dominique, Karol's French wife, brilliantly capturing the complexity of a woman struggling with her feelings of love, resentment, and longing.
• Janusz Gajos - Portraying the character of Mikolaj, Gajos does a fantastic job in playing a mysterious helping hand who offered Karol a chance to help him get back on his feet.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film originally started with scenes from "Blue," the first film of the Trilogy, to establish its interconnected narrative structure.
• "Three Colors: White" is the only comic film among the trilogy while the first and third parts are noticeably more serious.

Awards

The film won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 44th Berlin International Film Festival in 1994.

Quotes

• "Is there equality in death?" - Mikolaj
• "In death, all life's questions are answered." - Karol

Music, Soundtrack

• "Funeral Music" - The composition is used notably when Karol is seen laying helpless in a suitcase, giving a vivid representation of a man who has died inside.
• "Concerto in E minor, Op 11" - Played during the end credits, this emotionally-charged piece by ‘Chopin’ makes the perfect accompaniment to the film's concluding chapter.