Three Colors - Blue: Crash Course Film Criticism #11

Movies are really good at making us feel. Happy, sad, excited, etc... Part of that is because they use so many different types of media all at once. Photography, music, performance, and editing all play into their ability to communicate ideas and make us feel emotions. And Krzysztof Kieslowski's "Three Colors: Blue" is a master class this.
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Check out all 15 films we'll be talking about below!!!
Citizen Kane
Aliens
Where Are My Children?
Selma
In the Mood For Love
Do the Right Thing
Lost In Translation
Apocalypse Now
Pan's Labyrinth
The Limey
Three Colors: Blue
The Eagle Huntress
Moonlight
Beasts of No Nation
2001: A Space Odyssey
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Produced in collaboration with PBS Digital Studios: / pbsdigitalstudios
The Latest from PBS Digital Studios: kzbin.info?list...
***
Want to find Crash Course elsewhere on the internet?
Facebook - / youtubecrashc. .
Twitter - / thecrashcourse
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Support Crash Course on Patreon: / crashcourse

[@KarlBunker]

I love this movie SO much, and I really enjoyed this analysis. One of my favorite parts of the film is the several times it fades to black -- a typical way for a movie to go from one scene to another -- but when it fades back in, we're still in the same scene. It comes as a shock every time, and it's a wonderful way to shake up the viewer, and to express how Julie is trapped in her inescapable grief. For her there is no "change of scene"; she's stuck where she is.

[@GuilhermeCarvalhoComposer]

Brilliant episode about a brilliant movie. It's worth paying attention to all the fades to black in _Blue_ too: they're not used as they usually are in movies, to signal a passage of time or a change of place. Here Kieslowski fades to black and comes back to the exact same place, same time, as if this was just a deep breath or a moment of private introspection. Extremely well done.

[@Miimu5210]

Films that respect the characters and offers breathing room for their human characteristics are always a treat.

[@disideratum]

This is probably my favorite movie of all time. Interestingly enough it used to play at our local Arthouse every year within days of my birthday. That's how I discovered it and of course went to see it every year. The first time I saw it was particularly powerful because it was very much like my own personal experiences at the time. I'm surprised no one saw the subtext that possibly Patrice's composition was Julie's all along, which would have added another dimension of emotion: Betrayal. Considering his fame (and notoriety once it's revealed he's had a mistress) that would have explained why she chose to destroy the first draft of the composition. I think Olivier understood that and that's why he was adamant that not only she finish the work but also claim rightly that it was her own. I didn't consider that Julie had synesthesia but also, strangely enough, I have it as well and it's the particular kind that translates sound, colour and sensual perception.. much like Julie. I wouldn't call it "scrambling" of the senses however. It's a synchronicity.

[@Mattteus]

"try coughing now"

[@km-cx8xu]

This is a movie that genuinely moved me when I saw it. Her neighbor is an important character too. Thanks for doing a video on it.

[@4ppych]

I was obsessed with the Trois Couleurs trilogy when they were coming out. One thing that I remember being a big discussion at the time but Michael doesn't mention at all is the implication in the film that Julie was Patrice's unacknowledged collaborator, with him accepting the plaudits for work they did together. Weirdly, in the shooting script it's explicitly stated that the symphony was solely Patrice's work, so Kieslowski seemingly deliberately removed that to keep it ambiguous. Anyway, it's not super relevant to Michael's reading- more like a subplot- but it's interesting. You guys keep doing films I love! Can't wait for The Eagle Huntress!

[@pancakeday4866]

I had the same idea and was disappointed that it wasn’t mentioned in the video.

[@tHustr4]

Blue is my favorite of the three, and one of my favorite movies in general. Great to see a video on it. 😊 Kieslowsky doesn't get nearly enough love and attention on the internet as he deserves!

[@beenishanwar7097]

Zarathustra Zarath subscribe me plz

[@davidsh752]

Juliette Binoche is unbelievably beautiful. See also Les Amants du Pont-Neuf (Lovers on the Bridge in english).

[@carbono12videos]

Binoche: what an actress!

[@KannikCat]

Ah, thank you so much for including Bleu! I love the entire Three Colours trillogy, and Bleu is one of my all time favourite films. Binoche's performance is magnificent, and I've always given Kieślowski serious credit for being willing to do something few directors would -- turn off the camera (in what is an visual art form). When the music overtakes Julie and the screen fades to black or blue, that removal of the image makes both the music and all the impact it is having on Julie that much more powerful. This is film craft at its finest, with amazingly intimate portrayals told with deftness and creativity, a film that unwinds with plenty of room to breathe, and masterful acting to drive things home without the need for expositional dialogue. Great work, and a good analysis/criticism of it by Crash Course. Thanks again! :)

[@CopyrightDraco]

I am very happy that Kieslowski’s films are so warmely appreciated. If you liked Three Colours trilogy, I highly recommend Les Double Vie du Veronique (Double life of Veronica). It’s another film made by Kieslowski. Very similar to Blue, the music also plays a major role, but also tells a different story and the music is fabulous. And Veronique is also played by the actress from Red. You will love it :)

[@CopyrightDraco]

And also: the lyrics from the Song of Unification of Europe. They come from the letter of St Paul. This text separates Agape, the Real love which is full of compassion to all mankind and the world. It kicked my mind while Julie had shown compassion and generosity to the mistress of her husband. The lyrics are really an important part of the film.

[@Titoichi1986]

In terms of photography, this is one my favorite movies ever

[@onesagotoomany]

Binoche in this was perfect. She acted more with little movements of her face than most actors do in 100 pages of dialogue. This was the film I watched as a teenager which made me realise what film can be. White and red are both good, but blue is transcendent.

[@beenishanwar7097]

Akai Nishin subscirbe me plz

[@andybearchan]

I think that Blue is about Liberty. From my reading of the film, she was the brilliant musician and her husband took all the credit. When he died she could not take back her music from a dead man. In addition the discovery that he had betrayed her for another women makes her want to be independent again.

[@natsudragion7790]

I've been meaning to watch these for years , finally did this week. Easily one of the best realized trio of films ever made , feels more like a 5 hour anthology,in a very good way. Blue in particular, is a masterpiece in my opinion

[@kitthornton2336]

This is the best, most useful review of "Blue" I've ever read (well, watched anyway.) It's a special film, and deserves the careful thought it gets here. And the way the film is explained and explored is very accessible to people who aren't cinema freaks. Very well done.

[@simpletrixnonsense946]

THANK YOU FOR TALKING ABOUT FILM SOUND!! Currently working on a thesis on diegetic film music!!

[@corhydron111]

I would recommend that everyone who's interested in Kieslowski's filmography watch 'Blind Chance' ('Przypadek'). It shows three alternative scenarios in a life of a young man: one in which he becomes a communist activist, one in which he's an anti-totalitarian opposition activist and one in which he simply becomes a doctor. What I love about this movie is how empathetic it is to the main character. No matter where fate puts him socially and politically, he remains a good, honorable human being and even when his choices are questionable the audience can see where he's coming from. This is not to be confused with condoning the totalitarian regime which the protagonist supports in one of the scenarios: what we see instead are the motivations and a story of a character any other filmmaker in Poland might have framed as an antagonist. I think we should make and watch more movies like that, especially in an age where everything's so polarized and it's easy to see the opponent as an essentially evil human being.

[@ameliamaciorowska5754]

Yup! Blind Chance is my favorite Kieslowski movie by far! BTW. I appreciate Michael's honest attempts at pronouncing all the Polish names correctly in this episode. He really did well.

[@pond666]

+++++ Przypadek is a great movie which inspired a lot of Western movies, despite being less well-known than Blue/White/Red. You can see its influences very plainly in 'Mister Nobody' and 'Run Lola Run' for instance

[@corhydron111]

+Pond Right! I forgot to mention that!

[@VashdaCrash]

I was thinking the same while I was watching this episode. This humanism stuff should do more good than harm, it looks.

[@fezzian]

Lorne!! Lorne is such and underrated character in the Buffyverse and I'm glad to see him being mentioned here.

[@coriolis_storm]

That was a delightfully unexpected inclusion. In my opinion, Joss is a master at creating fully-fledged, memorable characters. I wish we had seen Andy strut his stuff in Firefly or Much Ado About Nothing (and can you imagine him in Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog? That would have been perfect!), Anyways, thanks to Crash Course for honouring his memory in a sweet way.

[@TheGreatGuigui32]

Elissa Mullins and the point he's mentioning is perfect.

[@The_sound_Of_Thunder]

I really liked this trilogy, especially Red, however of Kieslowski's work Double life of Veronique is pretty special. Very hypnotic other- worldly mood there.

[@gregmcknight5183]

This crash course film edition has constantly impressed me by the movies they pick. Thank you.

[@Micahlee_19]

PERFECT! I just found out I have a presentation on this film in a couple weeks and have never heard of it before. This will kick off the research well!

[@dorianrawls1927]

Excellent critique, solid, grounded and straight to the point without any digression. I'm really admirative of what you've done here. Blue is not my favorite movie by Kieslowski (it's rather The double life of Veronique, which moves me deeply by how it connects threads of human bonds, mystically) BUT your interpretation of Blue really made me appreciate this first film of the trilogy. It's rare to change your mind through a critique, so bravo and thanks a lot!

[@soulsearchtarot]

Red is a masterpiece. It ties it all together and such a tender beautiful, soulful story.

[@ricardopickman]

This Crash Course should stay forever, with one film review every week till the end of KZbin.

[@morkkristofferson7769]

He also made "Talking Heads" (pol. "Gadające głowy")- short film that is really moving. He asked people from age 2-90+ who they are, who they want to become etc. My fave quotes: "I am an ugly brunette"(told by girl circa 7 years old) and "I am not sure who I am, but I love reading books"

[@fangirlfortheages5940]

Hey crash course! I love you guys and you have saved me on many tests. But I’d love a series on music theory. It’s so complex but and I love a comprehensive course in your easy to understand style

[@crashcourse]

Believe me when I say we're working on it. It's something we've all wanted to do for a while, but it's tricky. I do believe it will happen sooner rather than later :) - Nick J.

[@Felishamois]

I really think you should include rhythm in music theory. Usually only its notation and meter are mentioned in music theory digests whereas any way you look at it it's an essential part of music. I would suggest talking about polyrhythms, polymeters, irrational meters, "theory" (experience?) of swing, even maybe its application to prosody and Stravinsky's unique approach to it which should be fundamental acquaintance to any would-be composer. Man am I stoked from this confirmation

[@justinpipes85]

fangirlfortheages polyphonic and pitchfork KZbin channels have some good breakdowns of pop music.

[@nicolasfantin6341]

Man this series should have at least another 15 more movies!! such and awesome work here!!

[@brattonstaciem]

I loved the Angel clip!! Just when I thought I couldn't love this channel any more!!

[@SK-uj1hz]

Ahhh omg it's Lorne! Thank you for putting one of my favourite shows in crash course :D

[@tiaanengelbrecht9378]

I'm so, so glad that this film was on the list. I probably wouldn't have watched it otherwise. It's such a beautiful film. I watched it for the first time this week, then decided to watch the other films in the trilogy as well.

[@katiebrobst6901]

Yes! Blue is one of my all time favorites.

[@camiloiribarren1450]

Michael is perfect when it comes to art and film critique. Please, keep him for more crashcourse

[@TheGreatGuigui32]

It's brilliant and absolutely spot on, as Blue is my favorite movie above all.

[@Gravitynaut]

I adore this film, and the others in its trilogy. I really need to see more Kieslowski.

[@tyelwell9]

I want this series to continue indefinitely.

[@Addicted2Xbox77]

Just watched this a week ago in my foreign film class, we recently started White, and we'll be watching Red after!

[@crashcourse]

I have a personal love of Blue but all three are really wonderful movies. - Nick J.

[@lucinae8510]

I LOVE Blue and Red! They're slow, beautifully shot and so so elegant! White leans more on comedy, but is still a worthy part of the trilogy. I think I prefer Red, but that's probably because it's the most relatable of the trilogy.

[@bluetoes591]

To me Blue is the best of the trois couleurs. Michael does an excellent job of breaking down how successful the storytelling is. I'd never considered it before, but this film must be especially interesting to somebody like Michael. Between the very deliberate cinematography, delicate, detail oriented acting and directing, and the very in depth incorporation of the music into the fabric of the film tie Michael's interests together very nicely.

[@Patricksan2001]

I’d say Red was my favorite of the three, but as mentioned, all three are excellent. My wonderful college library has all of them.

[@iakona23]

CrashCourse could you please do a video on White and Red, and perhaps The Double Life of Veronique?

[@scarletpoon529]

This series is amazing! Could you please do one on Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo next time? Thank you so much!

[@mitchmyers7523]

Great video! Have you considered doing videos on White and Red?

[@corytheweirdo12]

Just ordered the whole Three Colors trilogy from Criterion because of this video!

[@vicaldama9314]

This is an awesome trilogy!!!

[@Oliivejuiice]

I know it’s a newer film but I would love to hear your thoughts and meanings of ‘The Phantom Thread’.

[@ismellstatic]

Does anyone have any idea what the two songs are in the strip club scene? They aren’t credited and I can’t find any info anywhere

[@RaySquirrel]

Is the Decalogue a series of short films, or a tv mini-series?

[@JM-jb3vl]

incredible video

[@christiansarrazin8564]

I loved your video, and the way how you cartoon Julie, more videos like this, talking about movies, like Nocturnal Animals, A Single Man, Doubt, Garden State, Punch-Drunked Love... I'd suggest you Punch-Drunked Love.

[@shitpostingstevebecauseall6279]

I love _Trois Couleurs: Bleu_ but I actually thought that Kenneth Lonergan was able to handle grief more delicately and with more pathos. (I'm referring, of course, to _Manchester by the Sea_ ).

[@calebrockel7496]

I would really enjoy if you did a video on "the battle of Algiers"

[@CamiloMorfa16]

Any chance that you could do an analysis of blade runner 2049?

[@Nkanyiso_K]

I love Crash Course Film Criticism, & that reference to Angel Pure Gold :)

[@spamkaze]

I'd love to see a video about Amelie. There is just so much going on in that film.

[@SirDominic]

does this mean the next episode will be an exception :P

[@gonia24]

Wow, thank you.

[@kjmiklautsch]

Man you looking healthier each video. Keep doin you

[@awaiskashif6]

Awesome

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

Liked the Angel clip. synesthesia is always intriguing, but it requires SO MUCH work as you have to figure out exactly how the senses are different and what something is supposed to mean. Sound and color often go together but not even synesthetes can agree on HOW they go together.

[@Ravenoflight2275]

I love all 3 movies, Blue is my favorite though .

[@joshthebeardedwonder6622]

Please do Fight Club and all the ways it is interpreted and misinterpreted

[@georgeamel5672]

Do three colours white and Red analysis, please

[@comradehanson]

Do the Three Flavours Coronetto trilogy! It’s just as meaningful as the three colours trilogy

[@seanmurphy3430]

It bothers me that the music on-screen doesn't line up with the music being played. I mean, it is the same music, but the camera pans faster than the tempo of the song, so you can't actually follow along with it.

[@techniclepanther7538]

I've been watching along for most of these films, but this is the first one that feels like a slog. It can't be the foreign language, and it can't be the slow pacing, because I loved In the Mood for Love. Some things I can pick out: The first half of the film after the hospital scene was very directionless. There was no major tension and the action there went nowhere. I understand there's probably some metaphorical subtext to these little disconnected vignettes, but they test my personal patience. The music in this film was similar to how I feel about the film as a whole, maybe it sounds spectacular to someone, but none of the chords or motifs were very interesting to me (probably because they too lack tension). The second half of the film picked things back up with the discovery of the infidelity and Julie's reaction. The resolution is also quite nice, with Julie returning to the world of music which she had abandoned months ago. However, the final scene is completely unnecessary. It reminds me of the finale of Donnie Darko, except where in Darko there was a reason to demonstrate where the characters are without Donnie's influence, there is no reason to show that, yes, all of the characters are exactly where you'd expect them to be. There's no surprise, there's no intrigue, there's just bland melancholy. And that pretty much sums up my views on the film as a whole. Melancholy is a great emotion to play with on film, but it is only effective when there is some sort of underlying tension. When there is little development of plot and the first half of the film wanders from place to place, hardly introducing one character before moving on to the next, the characters make little impact, and any potential sympathy is lost.

[@grants5399]

I thought you were reviewing perfect blue the anime. this is good too.

[@kennykeating5243]

I can't wait for The Florida Project

[@navinsawesomeanddivineacco4221]

Do Three Colours : Red ! Its my fav of the trilogy !

[@cinemapaithiyum]

Hey! Did you say 'mistaking believing the three colour representation" ????

[@ferrenciaj2873]

which one is worse, sugar food/ junk food/ processed food?

[@prufrockj.a8532]

I...thought this was about Derek Jarmen's Blue. Which I suppose you could barely consider a film. It's pretty brilliant though and profoundly moving in its own wierd and dramatic way.

[@juffan]

Did Kieslowski also make Dekalog?

[@asd1234asd1234asd]

I think you guys need to check your voice recording again. There is a hissing noise at the background

[@UTU49]

I love Blue.

[@TalysAlankil]

When I saw the video title I kind of thought it was about the Derek Jarman movie. You know, the one that is nothing but the color blue for the entire duration of the movie.

[@CatHasOpinions734]

I saw the title and assumed it was Derek Jarman's film, but I guess there'd be less material to work with there...

[@Cinedragon]

I realy would love an insight on the lion king and why that movie did so well! Especially since the makers thought Pocahontas would be a succes and lion king a dud.

[@urmadrelastnite]

I'm surprised y'all didn't mention how when Julie speaks to the kid and her neighbor, in the background you see tons of people show up - like that one connection she's made is like a torrent

[@Sanjay-lw6sy]

Do the vengeance trilogy, the godfather trilogy and the before trilogy.

[@TheJamesRedwood]

Hi CC, please check your dooblydoo, "...is a master class this." Also, starting a sentence with "And"?

[@rubymoon9565]

do roberto benigni movies please

[@EthnHayabusa]

Blue is a master's masterpiece.

[@kateg1355]

I thought this was going to be on Derek Jarman’s Blue. You should do an episode on that film

[@Pinball_wizard_3]

I like this guy he reminds me of diet Matthew Broderick

[@wookiecoo]

Is it weird that I kinda want you guys to do an episode on Tropic Thunder lol

[@AWESUMer]

Angel!

[@abdulazizzakri4889]

We needs course about the accounting, please

[@romanpendleton3660]

Do Forrest Gump

[@NikkiMKarLen]

Lorne! R.I.P. Andy Hallett.

[@pierrejobel9872]

Pls do The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly sometimes in the future! Analyze the spaghetti western trend back in the days

[@mathewnadworny7625]

My usual Saturday: watch crash course Thats it

[@SauceyNoodle]

Thought this was Perfect Blue...

[@rikoarafat2467]

Please review Three Colors: Red

[@deckofcards87]

The best film to come out of the 1990s, in my opinion.

[@justinpipes85]

I saw these long ago and thought they were directed by Lars von trier...

[@eletoile2893]

Since the video has no thumbnail I guess I'm early.

[@crashcourse]

Look, some days I am not at my best! lol - Nick J.

[@wesleycarter7063]

next you should do red

[@ckiro-li3ms]

omg please do LA EST BELLE PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@natejohnson1083]

looks better without the goatee

[@albertobertola3453]

Do Bunraku.

[@nachofilament294]

I thought this was going to be about the movie that's 3 hours of a blank blue screen