Formalism Expressing the Meanings of the Three Colors Trilogy

Kieślowski’s Three Colors Trilogy can be admired as three unconnected plots but when the three are brought together their narratives express the three values brought about by the ideals of the French Revolution: liberty, equality, and fraternity. The three films seemingly build on each other and can only be understood as a collection. More specifically, each film embodies a desire. Blue, white and red pose a key meaning to these films narratives that Kieślowski uses as a vice to convey the struggle of each character. The narratives can be explores in connection with the color as well as its relevant meaning.

It’s important to explore each film’s narrative to gather the overall picture of the trilogy. Analyzing each of the main character’s struggles throughout these films and their connection to the color establishes their core connection to the collection. Then, tying the meaning of each of the films together creates a better understanding for the viewer. The narrative of each film ties back to the ideals (blue, white, red) and elements of the Mise-en-scène in essence, assist in expressing that more deeply.

Three Colors: Blue, the first film in the trilogy, is tied to the idea of liberty and its overall core meaning is established in personal narrative. Julie is the main character, and in the first scene, she loses her husband and daughter in a car crash. After losing her family Julie becomes closed off from the world and no longer wants to associate with anyone that she used to know. She is basically trying to restart her life and makes an attempt at doing it. He car crash initiates Julie’s first view of freedom, she is alone, and essentially “free.”

After the viewer gains the idea that Julie is free, there is the issue of he...

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... the reading of the survivor’s names are read. The survivors included the main characters of White and Blue, and their husbands and wives. The shocking part is that Valentine and the young judge Auguste are seen standing together, seemingly meeting for the first time.

All in all, the ending scene of this film ties the entire trilogy together. As the viewer is given a glimpse that there is a “chance” that Valentine was able to find love, that there is a chance the rest of the characters were able to come to peace as well. The ideas that the value that each film has comes into play, as the characters try to define those values they lose sight of the closeness of love or friendship. As each of the characters was in search of either liberty, equality or fraternity they became immune to what was around them but, it was seemingly these things that brought them together.