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La Double vie de Véronique ("The Double Life of Véronique"; Polish title, "Podwójne życie Weroniki") is a 1991 French- and Polish-language film directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski, co-written by Kieślowski and Krzysztof Piesiewicz, starring Irène Jacob, with music by Zbigniew Preisner.
The film was a departure from Kieślowski's earlier work in several ways. It was his first film produced partly outside Poland, and the parts taking place within Poland contain little reference to the social turmoil of the time; a pivotal scene taking place in the midst a political protest is seen only through the eyes of a tourist on a bus. It has a strong fantasy element, though the supernatural aspect of the story is never explained. Like the later Three Colors: Blue, it showcased Preisner's musical score as a major plot element, crediting his work to the fictional van den Budenmayer. Finally, its cinematography is highly stylized, using color and camera filters to create an ethereal atmosphere; the cinematographer, Slawomir Idziak, had previously experimented with these techniques in one episode of The Decalogue, and Kieślowski would later use color for a wider range of effects in his Three Colors trilogy.
Primary cast
- Irène Jacob: Weronika / Véronique (with the voice of Anna Gornostaj for Polish dialogue)
- Halina Gryglaszewska: Aunt
- Kalina Jedrusik: Gaudy Woman
- Aleksander Bardini: Orchestra Conductor
- Wladyslaw Kowalski: Weronika's father
- Jerzy Gudejko: Antek
- Philippe Volter: Alexandre Fabbri
The film follows the parallel lives of a young woman in Poland, Weronika, and a young woman in France, Véronique, both played by Irène Jacob. Though unrelated, the two appear identical, share many personality traits, and seem to be aware of each other on some level, as if they are doppelgängers; but except for a brief glimpse through a bus window in Krakow, they never meet. After Weronika sacrifices everything in the pursuit of a singing career, Véronique abandons her own similar goal because of poor health and attempts to find an independent course for her life, while becoming involved with a manipulative man who is fascinated by clues to her double nature.
Kieślowski had earlier used a similar idea of exploring different paths in life for the same person, in his Polish film Przypadek (Blind Chance), and the central choice faced by Weronika/Véronique is based on a brief subplot in the ninth episode of The Decalogue.
Film critic Marek Haltof, like many Polish viewers, sees the film as a political allegory in which Weronika represents Poland and Véronique France: both are highly cultured, but while Véronique is allowed to pursue her talents unfettered, Weronika's early death represents the sacrifice of Poland during the Second World War and its subsequent incorporation into the Soviet bloc; Véronique senses this loss without realizing what has been lost. Kieślowski
For the roles of Véronique and her lover Alexandre, Kieślowski originally cast American actress Andie MacDowell and Italian film director Nanni Moretti.