Cinema
The Double Life of Véronique
La Double Vie de Véronique
Krzysztof Kieślowski · 1991
Synopsis
Weronika lives in Poland, Véronique in Clermont-Ferrand. The two young women, played by the same actress, resemble each other in everything: the same face, the same magnificent voice, the same love of singing, the same heart defect, and each senses, without knowing the other, that she is not alone in the world. Weronika leaves for Kraków, where she wins a solo part in a concert; Véronique, a music teacher, falls in love with a puppeteer and writer, Alexandre Fabbri, who eludes her and sends her messages.
Context
The first film by its director produced partly outside Poland, it was written with Krzysztof Piesiewicz, shot by Sławomir Idziak to a score by Zbigniew Preisner, and co-produced by Sidéral Productions, the Tor group, Canal+ and Norsk Film. It was released in France on 15 May 1991, in Poland on 6 October. Irène Jacob plays both roles, opposite Philippe Volter; the film, restored in 4K, has been released on video in France by Potemkine.
Who it is for
Ninety-eight minutes, in French and Polish; the link between the two heroines is never explained.
Prizes and reception
Best Actress Award at Cannes in 1991 for Irène Jacob, and one of its director's best-loved films.
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