Trois Couleurs: Rouge (1994)

Jean-Louis Trintignant (1930–2022) is considered an icon of post-war European cinema. Although he took to the stage as a shy student to overcome his insecurity, he grew to become a monument of cinematic art with a body of work comprising almost 150 titles. Throughout his career, Trintignant remained true to his characteristic, understated style. In honour of his impressive career, De Uitkijk is screening four of his most poignant masterpieces.

Trois Couleurs: Rouge was the last film by the great director Krzysztof Kieslowski, who died in 1996. Jean-Louis Trintignant and Irène Jacob shine as the grumpy former judge and the young model who unexpectedly become friends. Valentine runs over the judge's dog and enters the older man's life; despite the large age difference, the two seem to recognise a lot in each other. Parallel to this is the story of Auguste, a young law student across the street who is being eavesdropped on by the judge and who lives close to Valentine. Yet the two have never met. 

Rouge is a red-filtered, highly stylised parable about the role of chance, the twists and turns that life can take, and the idea that some things are predestined. The “brotherhood” between the judge and the model could even be love between two kindred spirits.