This was a fantastic movie. It may not have as many layers as the other two in the trilogy or the incredible score of Blue, but the political messages in White make it worth the watch. Insofar as the question of whether or not true equality can be achieved and implemented, I think the movie ultimately says, “No, not totally. Not really.” The fade to white scene in the hotel room, in my opinion, shows that equality as a concept can only be temporarily experienced, and only in very specific, limited circumstances. The ending scene where Karol is outside Dominique’s cell is Kieslowski showing us the dark realities of the world, and why equality can never fully be realized. Yes, Karol gets his revenge on Dominque, but at what cost? In the end, they both still want to be with and love one another, yet they go to extreme lengths to enact inequality on each other. I think the grand message of the film is that equality can be experienced only in one area at any given time, with the understanding that there will necessarily be inequality elsewhere.
I love the trilogy but the best for me is the Three Colors: Red. Irene Jacob's performance is the most mesmerizing thing that i have ever seen in the 1990s. She should have been nominated for an Oscars in 1995. All the films in the trilogy is on my "Greatest Movie" list. 😉😉
Theres also Poland, once a Communist country( where everyones supposed to be equal) turning towards a more Capitalist economy awaiting entry of Big Companies like Ikea and Karol taking this to his advantage. I think Kieslowski was using it to show the inequality of class that will increase as a result of capitalism. But also where they ever equal in the first place when they followed communism? Is equality the same as fairness?
For me White is the best of the entire outstanding trilogy. The reason I think it gets far less love than the other two is because it's also the most Polish. To really get to grips with this film you need to know about post Communist Poland in the 1990s & the period of transformation &. Transition. In particular, this sense of a land of opportunity where everyone tries their hand at any money making scheme. The result of this is essentially gangster capitalism, jealousy, & a lack of equality & fairness all of which contrast the blurred line between Communism & Capitalism.
Good stuff man, I'm in the minority who enjoyed White more than Blue, like you said there's a lot to chew in here. Would be grateful if you could make a video on Double life of Veronique it's difficult to explain but I dunno why but it's my favourite Kieslowski.
Great review! I really liked this movie especially the final scene and it was great hearing your opinions as well, is there an actual translation of the signs she makes at the end or is it for us to guess?
thank you. I have always assumed that their communication in the end is unknown to the audience, as if it's still their private conversation or language. However, perhaps someone elsewhere on the internet has tried to decipher it? I have also wondered if Sofia Coppola knew this movie and quoted this ending for the end to her Lost in Translation.
In fact Julie Delpy has deciphered in a video interview , loosely meaning “ when I am out of the prison, we can go away together or stay here to get married”
There were 2 moments when Karol Karol and Mikolaj felt the same things. Once when both of them wanted to see each other and another when both of them were playing in the ice and felt like kids again. Also, can anyone explain the exact legal reason why Dominique got arrested? I mean can anyone explain what law did she exactly break? And how did they get a body and assign a cause of death to it? Also, thanks for the review!
White was the most accessible, but in some ways, ahead of its time. It has tremendous meaning once you understand that this was a personal film, and Kieślowski was essentially asking Poland (Karol) if equality with Europe (France, Dominique) was what it was hoped to be. ("We're all European now.")
Thanks for the review Josh.. this is the only one of trilogy I havent seen & i like the other two. Just looking for a spark to make me move it up the priority list so was curious to hear your initial thoughts on it. I got the Criterion set so ill prob give it a go soon Speaking of great trilogies, on your recommendation, I did watch the Koker trilogy recently (aware of it for awhile & hadnt got to it, but again lots to watch, so a lil push in the direction doesn't hurt, thank you). Liked them all, very unique exercise of filmmaking. Id also throw in The Human Condition, Apu, & Before trilogies among the greatest of all time
worth it, especially if, as I think I said in the video, you pair Decalogue X with "White." a video on great trilogies might be a good idea. "Human Condition" is sort of a sextiology (is that word?) since it's a six-part series of 90-minute movies. I am happy to include it. The big question is whether the Godfather Trilogy would make it or not?
@@LearningaboutMovies well i think its generally accepted as a trilogy with No Greater Love, Road to Eternity, Soldiers Prayer but you're right, each of those has 2 parts. And no I personally would not inc Godfather trilogy because the competition dictates all 3 must be great (in my humble opinion of course). Otherwise it opens up for Star Wars too. LOTR & Man With No Name & Samurai (Inagaki) trilogies have some merit i think too. Im sure I'm forgetting other great trilogies too ....& yes, I would enjoy a video on the topic
9:50 I had to laugh out loud when I realized what was happening during that "fade to white." One thing that struck me when I first watched White, was if you're listening carefully, you'll hear the beating of pigeon wings in several scenes. ...And the irony of White being a black comedy.
This is the one of best trilogy ever, with Before trilogy, Antonioni trilogy with Monica, Bergman trilogy of faith, Lord of the rings trilogy, but i always go with The Godfather trilogy why because first 2 movies are 2 best movies ever made and 3 is good but first 2 are best
Josh can you do a ranking on your Greatest Teen & Coming of age films of all time. Because i pretty have a list here. Its my favourite movie genre especially about being a kid, a teenager and a college student. Please 🙏 🙏
Excellent movie! I'd say it's even more interesting and deep then the Blue one. But the ending ruined some of it... I just don't feel this should end this way, not even in Kieslowski movie
Really good analysis. I really didn't enjoy the film however. . Blue was really interesting, beautifully shot and very well acted. White, for me, was just grim. A bland looking, ugly film, thematically and aesthetically. It's not a nice world to be immersed in.
I believe the ugliness is deliberate, given that Kieslowski is contrasting France to Poland, among other things. Nothing in Decalogue looks good either -- it's a grubby world there too.
This was a fantastic movie. It may not have as many layers as the other two in the trilogy or the incredible score of Blue, but the political messages in White make it worth the watch.
Insofar as the question of whether or not true equality can be achieved and implemented, I think the movie ultimately says, “No, not totally. Not really.” The fade to white scene in the hotel room, in my opinion, shows that equality as a concept can only be temporarily experienced, and only in very specific, limited circumstances.
The ending scene where Karol is outside Dominique’s cell is Kieslowski showing us the dark realities of the world, and why equality can never fully be realized. Yes, Karol gets his revenge on Dominque, but at what cost? In the end, they both still want to be with and love one another, yet they go to extreme lengths to enact inequality on each other.
I think the grand message of the film is that equality can be experienced only in one area at any given time, with the understanding that there will necessarily be inequality elsewhere.
After the heaviness of the emotions in BLEU, BLANC comes as a more light-hearted respite before the more expressiveconclusion of ROUGE.
yes!
I actually liked White more than Blue; and Red being my favorite of the 3. But wow what a trilogy!
Same ranking!Red is absolutely great
I love the trilogy but the best for me is the Three Colors: Red. Irene Jacob's performance is the most mesmerizing thing that i have ever seen in the 1990s. She should have been nominated for an Oscars in 1995. All the films in the trilogy is on my "Greatest Movie" list. 😉😉
yes, certainly. I've got a video on Red coming out in early November.
Indeed. It moved me. Her facial expressions are what makes red epic.
I agree. Red was undoubtedly the best of the trilogy.
2:14 Thanks to you I just realized why is juliette binoche credited in this movie
Have been waiting 3 years for the follow up video. Great stuff as always!
which follow-up? I can't remember!
@@LearningaboutMovies You said you wanted to do a video about the ending and about the change to white :). Would love to see them
Did carol return just to make his vengeance or did he return because he loves her so much that he can’t leave her ?
I couldn’t tell
I thought: Both!
I think he wanted revenge and then realized he really loved her at the end.
I think it is something like we blend into each other, become a part of each other. You can try to leave, but you never really can.
@@LearningaboutMovies Agreed.
Theres also Poland, once a Communist country( where everyones supposed to be equal) turning towards a more Capitalist economy awaiting entry of Big Companies like Ikea and Karol taking this to his advantage. I think Kieslowski was using it to show the inequality of class that will increase as a result of capitalism. But also where they ever equal in the first place when they followed communism? Is equality the same as fairness?
yes, that makes good sense.
For me White is the best of the entire outstanding trilogy. The reason I think it gets far less love than the other two is because it's also the most Polish. To really get to grips with this film you need to know about post Communist Poland in the 1990s & the period of transformation &. Transition. In particular, this sense of a land of opportunity where everyone tries their hand at any money making scheme. The result of this is essentially gangster capitalism, jealousy, & a lack of equality & fairness all of which contrast the blurred line between Communism & Capitalism.
thank you
Bro I loved this movie. Thank you for breaking it down on the equality aspect!
Good stuff man, I'm in the minority who enjoyed White more than Blue, like you said there's a lot to chew in here. Would be grateful if you could make a video on Double life of Veronique it's difficult to explain but I dunno why but it's my favourite Kieslowski.
thank you. yes, that is a great movie -- I'll get to both Blind Chance and Double Life eventually.
Personally, I think it's the best of the entire trilogy. My favorite Kieslowski film ever. And I've seen all from No End up.
Great review! I really liked this movie especially the final scene and it was great hearing your opinions as well, is there an actual translation of the signs she makes at the end or is it for us to guess?
thank you. I have always assumed that their communication in the end is unknown to the audience, as if it's still their private conversation or language. However, perhaps someone elsewhere on the internet has tried to decipher it? I have also wondered if Sofia Coppola knew this movie and quoted this ending for the end to her Lost in Translation.
@@LearningaboutMovies hey here you can see Julie Delphy explaining what the signs meant th-cam.com/video/1gqYoVAErLQ/w-d-xo.html
In fact Julie Delpy has deciphered in a video interview , loosely meaning “ when I am out of the prison, we can go away together or stay here to get married”
Great review. Just FYI it’s not an airport Karol is sitting in, its an underground metro station.
Hi. Where to see the full movie.
go to letterboxd.com, find the movie, and then click on where to watch it.
@@LearningaboutMovies what’s your Letterboxd? I’d love to follow you
It’s on HBO MAX
There were 2 moments when Karol Karol and Mikolaj felt the same things. Once when both of them wanted to see each other and another when both of them were playing in the ice and felt like kids again.
Also, can anyone explain the exact legal reason why Dominique got arrested? I mean can anyone explain what law did she exactly break? And how did they get a body and assign a cause of death to it?
Also, thanks for the review!
You're welcome.
The body was beyond recognition
Great analysis, thank you for this!
you're welcome.
White was the best of the 3.
there have to be many people like you who think this, a silent minority.
@@LearningaboutMovies defenitely the most enjoyable / fast paced one out of the 3 but Red is honestly perfect for me. All of them are great though
@@travel6482 the best polish actors performed in WHITE
White was the most accessible, but in some ways, ahead of its time. It has tremendous meaning once you understand that this was a personal film, and Kieślowski was essentially asking Poland (Karol) if equality with Europe (France, Dominique) was what it was hoped to be. ("We're all European now.")
@@stuntmonkey00 good insight, didn't know that
Thanks for the review Josh.. this is the only one of trilogy I havent seen & i like the other two. Just looking for a spark to make me move it up the priority list so was curious to hear your initial thoughts on it. I got the Criterion set so ill prob give it a go soon
Speaking of great trilogies, on your recommendation, I did watch the Koker trilogy recently (aware of it for awhile & hadnt got to it, but again lots to watch, so a lil push in the direction doesn't hurt, thank you). Liked them all, very unique exercise of filmmaking. Id also throw in The Human Condition, Apu, & Before trilogies among the greatest of all time
worth it, especially if, as I think I said in the video, you pair Decalogue X with "White."
a video on great trilogies might be a good idea. "Human Condition" is sort of a sextiology (is that word?) since it's a six-part series of 90-minute movies. I am happy to include it. The big question is whether the Godfather Trilogy would make it or not?
@@LearningaboutMovies well i think its generally accepted as a trilogy with No Greater Love, Road to Eternity, Soldiers Prayer but you're right, each of those has 2 parts. And no I personally would not inc Godfather trilogy because the competition dictates all 3 must be great (in my humble opinion of course). Otherwise it opens up for Star Wars too. LOTR & Man With No Name & Samurai (Inagaki) trilogies have some merit i think too. Im sure I'm forgetting other great trilogies too ....& yes, I would enjoy a video on the topic
9:50 I had to laugh out loud when I realized what was happening during that "fade to white."
One thing that struck me when I first watched White, was if you're listening carefully, you'll hear the beating of pigeon wings in several scenes. ...And the irony of White being a black comedy.
His name is pronounced Kshyshtof
I tried. Polish viewers have corrected me long ago on this one. thanks for this.
Amazing video absolutely loved White such a masterpiece
thank you.
This is the one of best trilogy ever, with Before trilogy, Antonioni trilogy with Monica, Bergman trilogy of faith, Lord of the rings trilogy, but i always go with The Godfather trilogy why because first 2 movies are 2 best movies ever made and 3 is good but first 2 are best
thank you.
Great analysis! Thank you
thank you.
and a connection with the Russian film "burnt by the sun"
Josh can you do a ranking on your Greatest Teen & Coming of age films of all time. Because i pretty have a list here. Its my favourite movie genre especially about being a kid, a teenager and a college student. Please 🙏 🙏
that's a really fine idea. thank you!
Excellent movie! I'd say it's even more interesting and deep then the Blue one. But the ending ruined some of it...
I just don't feel this should end this way, not even in Kieslowski movie
thank you.
i agree. he did change the ending at the last minute
I love this film.
excellent!
Please do another video on the” fade to white”🙂
very good, thank you for the request.
Really good analysis. I really didn't enjoy the film however. . Blue was really interesting, beautifully shot and very well acted. White, for me, was just grim. A bland looking, ugly film, thematically and aesthetically. It's not a nice world to be immersed in.
I believe the ugliness is deliberate, given that Kieslowski is contrasting France to Poland, among other things. Nothing in Decalogue looks good either -- it's a grubby world there too.
That was the point. For me, it's a reflection of Karol's emotions while in France and of course Nicolaj.