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La Double Vie de Véronique

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The Double Life of Véronique

Irène Jacob

Halina Gryglaszewska

Philippe Volter

Guillaume de Tonquédec

Kalina Jędrusik

Aleksander Bardini

Władysław Kowalski

Jerzy Gudejko

Janusz Sterninski

Sandrine Dumas

Louis Ducreux

Claude Duneton

Lorraine Evanoff

Gilles Gaston-Dreyfus

Alain Frérot

Youssef Hamid

Thierry de Carbonnières

Chantal Neuwirth

Nausicaa Rampony

Bogusława Schubert

Jacques Potin

Zbigniew Preisner

Krzysztof Kieślowski

Caroline Castelain

Leonardo De La Fuente

Jacques Witta

Patrice Mercier

Margot Capelier

Slawomir Idziak

Claudia Fellous

Laurence Brignon

Monika Jeziorowska

Edith Vassard

Christine Raffa-Catonné

William Flageollet

Jean-Pierre Lelong

Agnès Tassel

Elżbieta Radke

Jack Jullian

Iwona Karpińska

Michèle Catonné

Krzysztof Piesiewicz

Mario Melchiorri

Jolanta Stachecka

Filipe Manuel Neto

**A pessimistic film, somewhat negative and sad, about (maybe) two versions of the same person.**

I decided to see this film shortly after having seen the trilogy of colors, by the same director, the Polish Krzysztof Kieslowski. The theme of the film is the lives of two women, the French Veronique and the Polish Weronika. They are doppelgängers for each other, live similar lives, have very similar aspirations and a similar life path. It could be said that they are twin sisters or versions of the same person! However, the two do not know each other and do not even presume the existence of the other. I dare not – and it would be very incorrect – to say more, but what happens to one of them affects the other in an inexplicable way. It is not, however, a happy or optimistic film.

Kieslowski does an interesting job in a film that marks his expansion outside his country, into international cinema. Until then, he had only made a career in Poland, and largely at the expense of national television and documentaries. Color is fundamental in the film, as is the case in a good part of his work, and especially in his famous trilogy. Except that, contrary to what happens in these three films, the colors are largely muted here, through the almost permanent use of filters that reduce them to a tan, almost sepia. Thus, cinematography seeks to speak to us through color and framing, and ends up relating intimately and intensely with music and sound, creating an oneiric atmosphere that only seems excessive due to its omnipresence. Of the soundtrack, I would especially highlight a passage sung, in the best and most honest lyrical or operatic style, but undoubtedly composed for the film.

The lead role (or rather, both lead roles) are secured by Irene Jacob, young and confident, sure of herself and her ability for the task at hand. This film opened doors for him and allowed him to have a much more distinguished career than he would have otherwise, I think. However, she is the only outstanding actress in this film. Everything else is supporting actors, appearing relatively fleetingly to do what needs to be done.

The Double Life of Véronique (1991) Trailer | Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski

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The Double Life of Véronique

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Cast

Irène Jacob

Halina Gryglaszewska

Philippe Volter

Guillaume de Tonquédec

Kalina Jędrusik

Aleksander Bardini

Władysław Kowalski

Jerzy Gudejko

Janusz Sterninski

Sandrine Dumas

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