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The three colors are blue, white and red. They are the colors of the French flag, of course, and they are appropriated by director Krzysztof Kieslowski along with the themes of the motto they more or less represent: liberty, equality, fraternity. But the films Three Colors: Blue (1993), Three Colors: White (1993), and Three Colors: Red (1994) are not hymns to patriotism or national identity and the Polish Kieslowski hasn’t any predisposition to making a statement at France. It’s better to think of this trilogy in similar terms as his The Decalogue, ten short films in which he reflects upon the Ten Commandments in terms more suggestive than literal. They are about morality in terms of life in Poland in 1989 and it is that vast collage of life experience in that time and place that is so powerful.

After he completed "Red" (1994), the final film in his "Three Colors" trilogy, Krzysztof Kieslowski announced that he would retire. This was not a man weary of work. It was the retirement of a magician, a Prospero who was now content to lay aside his art--"to read and smoke." When he died two years later, he was only 56.

3xBD50 + 4xDVD9 | AVC 1080p, NTSC | 288 minutes
132.6 Gb + 28.9 Gb + 3% rec
Language: Francais
Subtitles: English
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music, Mystery, Romance

In the trilogy, "Blue" is the anti-tragedy, "White" is the anti-comedy, and "Red" is the anti-romance. All three films hook us with immediate narrative interest. They are metaphysical through example, not theory: Kieslowski tells the parable but doesn't preach the lesson. It's the same with his "Decalogue," where each film is based on one of the Ten Commandments, but it is not always possible to say which commandment, or precisely what the film is saying about it.

In the same elusive way, using symbolism that only seems to be helpful, "Blue," "White" and "Red" stand for the three colors of the French tricolor, representing liberty, equality and fraternity. Juliette Binoche, in "Blue," has the liberty, after her loss of husband and child, to start life again, or not at all. Zbigniew Zamachowski, in "White," is dropped by his beautiful wife (Julie Delpy) after he goes to a great deal of trouble to move her to Paris. Back home in Poland, he wants to make millions so that he can be her equal, and have his revenge. Valentine and the old judge in "Red" have a fraternity of souls that springs across barriers of time and gender because they both have the imagination to appreciate what could have been.

Extras:

*** Blue ***

• Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Blue. In French, with optional English subtitles. (2 min, 1080p).

• On Blue - a video essay written and narrated by film studies professor Annette Insdorf, author of "Double Lives, Second Chances: The Cinema Krzysztof Kieslowski". With clips and stills from the Polish director's films. In English, not subtitled. (21 min, 1080p).

• Kieslowski's Cinema Lesson - in this segment from 1994, Krzysztof Kieslowski discusses the significance of a specific sequence from Blue, as well as the importance of the sugar cube scene in the Parisian cafe. In Polish, with imposed French subtitles and optional English subtitles. (8 min, 1080i).

• Juliette Binoche - the French actress comments on specific scenes from the film. (The comments are part of an audio commentary recorded in 2004). In French, with optional English subtitles. (25 min, 1080i).

• Zbigniew Preisner - a new interview with composer Zbigniew Preisner, who recalls his collaboration with Krzysztof Kieslowski on the Three Colors trilogy, No End, The Decalogue, and The Double Life of Veronique. The interview was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 2011. In Polish, with optional English subtitles. (22 min, 1080p).

• Reflections on "Blue" - film critic Geoff Andrew, actor Juliette Binoche, filmmaker Agnieszka Holland, cinematographer Slawomir Idziak, professor Annette Insdorf, and editor Jacques Witta reflect on the production of Blue and the questions posed by director Krzysztof Kieslowski throughout his work. In English, not subtitled. (18 min, 1080i).

• Kieslowski: The Early Years - an interview program from 2003 in which film critic Geoff Andrew, filmmaker Agnieszka Holland, cinematographer Slawomir Idziak, professor Annette Insdorf, and actor Irene Jacob discuss director Krzysztof Kieslowski's early documentary films and the complex socio-political environment he lived in. In English, not subtitled. (15 min, 1080i).

• Two Student Films - two student films, one directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski, the other by Piotr Studzinski. In the latter, the famous Polish director played a tortured artist. Both are presented courtesy of the Polish National Film, Television, and Theatre School in Lodz.
-- The Tram (1966). B&W. Silent. (6 min, 1080p).
-- The Face (1966). B&W. Music only. With optional English subtitles. (7 min, 1080p).

*** White ***

• Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for White. In Polish and French, with optional English subtitles. (2 min, 1080p).

• On White - a video essay written and narrated by film critic Tony Rayns. In English, not subtitled. (22 min, 1080p).

• Kieslowski's Cinema Lesson - in this segment from 1994, the Polish director discusses the opening scene from White. In Polish, with imposed French subtitles and optional English subtitles. (11 min, 1080i).

• Zamachowski and Delpy - in this new video interview, Polish actor Zbigniew Zamachowski and French actor Julie Delpy recall their collaboration with director Krzysztof Kieslowski on White. The interview was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 2011. In Polish and English, with optional English subtitles where necessary. (19 min, 1080p).

• Krzysztof Piesiewicz - in this new video interview, Krzysztof Piesiewicz, cowriter of the Three Colors trilogy and politician, discusses his collaboration with director Krzysztof Kieslowski and the complex themes of his films, the socio-political climate in Poland during the 70s, 80s, and the transition period after the fall of the Iron Curtain, etc. The interview was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 2011. In Polish, with optional English subtitles. (22 min, 1080p).

• The Making of "White" - in this behind-the-scenes featurette, director Krzysztof Kieslowski discusses the production history of White, its unique color scheme, the strange relationship between comedy and drama the film nurtures, etc. In Polish, with imposed French subtitles and optional English subtitles. (17 min, 1080i).

• Two Documentaries - two documentary films by Krzysztof Kieslowski. The first focuses on a group of ballerinas, the second chronicles an interesting survey. In Polish, with optional English subtitles.
-- Seven Women of Different Ages (1979). (17 min, 1080i).
-- Talking Heads (1980). (15 min, 1080i).

*** Red ***

• Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Red. In French, with optional English subtitles. (2 min, 1080p).

• On Red - a video essay written and narrated by film writer Dennis Lim. In English, not subtitled. (22 min, 1080p).

• Kieslowski's Cinema Lesson - in this segment from 1994, the Polish director discusses a key scene from Red (where Rita, the dog, runs away). In Polish, with optional English subtitles. (9 min, 1080i).

• Irene Jacob - in this wonderful new video interview, the French actress discusses her collaboration and friendship with director Krzysztof Kieslowski, Jean-Louis Trintignant's magnificent performance in Red, as well as the film's production history. The interview was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 2011. In English, not subtitled. (17 min, 1080p).

• Marin Karmitz - a very informative video interview with producer Marin Karmitz, who discusses the production history of Red, its acceptance at the Cannes Film Festival, the controversy surrounding the film's "nationality" and its unusual Oscar nominations. The interview was recorded in 2001. In French, with optional English subtitles. (11 min, 1080i).

• Jacques Witta - in this video interview, Jacques Witta, editor of Blue and Red, discusses specific scenes and selected shots in Red that were removed during the editing of the film. The interview was recorded in 2001. In French, with optional English subtitles. (13 min, 1080i).

• Behind the Scenes of Red - raw footage from the shooting of Red, with Krzysztof Kieslowski directing key scenes. In French and English, with optional English subtitles where necessary. (24 min, 1080i).

• Kieslowski Cannes 1994 - a short documentary shot during Red's premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The documentary features interviews with director Krzysztof Kieslowski and actors Irene Jacob and Jean-Louis Trintignant. In Polish and French, with optional English subtitles. (16 min, 1080i).

• Krzysztof Kieslowski: I am so-so... - in 1995, a year after Red premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, director Krzysztof Kieslowski was interviewed at his home in Poland. This documentary film, directed by Krzysztof Wierzbicki and originally broadcast on Danish television, is based on this interview. In Polish, with optional English subtitles. (56 min, 1080i).