When her composer husband and their daughter are killed in a car crash, Julie de Courcy (Juliette Binoche) tries to isolate herself from her previous life…

The first chapter of Krzysztof Kieslowski’s Three Colors trilogy that explores the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity in modern Europe focuses on the first one, as a woman tries to find peace and emotional liberty, but realizes that the past isn’t easily abandoned. Music plays a key part and the filmmakers take great symbolic advantage of the color blue.

Binoche’s performance carries the film through its lulls; many critics even saw a masterpiece.

1993-France. 100 min. Color. Directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. Screenplay: Krzysztof Kieslowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz. Cinematography: Slawomir Idziak. Music: Zbigniew Preisner. Cast: Juliette Binoche (Julie de Courcy), Benôit Regent (Olivier Benôit), Florence Pernel (Sandrine), Charlotte Very, Helene Vincent, Philippe Volter, Emmanuelle Riva, Julie Delpy.

Trivia: Original title: Trois couleurs: Bleu. Alternative title: Three Colours: Blue. The other two films in the trilogy are White (1994) and Red (1994).

Venice: Golden Lion, Best Actress (Binoche), Cinematography.