The Double Life of Véronique

The Double Life of Véronique

Directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski • 1991 • France
Starring Irène Jacob, Philippe Volter, Sandrine Dumas

Krzysztof Kieślowski’s international breakthrough remains one of his most beloved films, a ravishing, mysterious rumination on identity, love, and human intuition. Irène Jacob is incandescent as both Weronika, a Polish choir soprano, and her double, Véronique, a French music teacher. Though unknown to each other, the two women share an enigmatic, emotional bond, which Kieślowski details in gorgeous reflections, colors, and movements. Aided by Slawomir Idziak’s shimmering cinematography and Zbigniew Preisner’s haunting, operatic score, Kieślowski creates one of cinema's most purely metaphysical works. THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VÉRONIQUE is an unforgettable symphony of feeling.

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The Double Life of Véronique
  • The Double Life of Véronique

    Directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski • 1991 • France
    Starring Irène Jacob, Philippe Volter, Sandrine Dumas

    Krzysztof Kieślowski’s international breakthrough remains one of his most beloved films, a ravishing, mysterious rumination on identity, love, and human intuition. Irène Jacob is incandescent a...

Extras

  • THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VERONIQUE Commentary

    Recorded in 2006, this commentary features Annette Insdorf, author of “Double Lives, Second Chances: The Cinema of Krzysztof Kieślowski.”

  • Kieślowski’s Dialogue

    This 1991 documentary on the making of THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VÉRONIQUE features an interview with Krzysztof Kieślowski and rare behind-the-scenes footage of the director at work.

  • THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VÉRONIQUE: U.S. Ending

    At the urging of Miramax head Harvey Weinstein, director Krzysztof Kieślowski changed the ending of THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VÉRONIQUE for its U.S. release. Presented here is the U.S. ending, which contains four additional shots.

  • Irène Jacob on THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VÉRONIQUE

    Irène Jacob was virtually unknown when she starred in THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VÉRONIQUE, for which she won the best actress award at Cannes. She has since appeared in such films as OTHELLO and THE SECRET GARDEN, and collaborated again with Krzysztof Kieślowski on RED (1994). In this 2005 interview, sh...

  • Sławomir Idziak on THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VÉRONIQUE

    Cinematographer Sławomir Idziak first worked with Krzysztof Kieślowski on the director’s early film PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY (1973). Idziak went on to shoot several more films with Kieślowski, including THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VÉRONIQUE and BLUE (1993), and has more than fifty feature films to his name. This...

  • Richard Peña on THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VERONIQUE

  • The Musicians

    Directed by Kazimierz Karabasz • 1960 • Poland

    Presented here is THE MUSICIANS, by Kazimierz Karabasz. Karabasz was a teacher at the Lodz Film School, where director Krzysztof Kieślowski studied, and a great influence on the young filmmaker.

  • Factory

    Directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski • 1970 • Poland

    Krzysztof Kieślowski began his career making documentaries. Presented here is FACTORY, one of his nonfiction shorts.

  • Hospital

    Directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski • 1976 • Poland

    Krzysztof Kieślowski began his career making documentaries. Presented here is HOSPITAL, one of his nonfiction shorts.

  • Railway Station

    Directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski • 1980 • Poland

    Krzysztof Kieślowski began his career making documentaries. Presented here is RAILWAY STATION, one of his nonfiction shorts.

  • Zbigniew Preisner on THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VÉRONIQUE

    Zbigniew Preisner, Poland’s leading film composer, enjoyed a long collaboration with director Krzysztof Kieślowski, scoring every one of his films beginning with 1985’s NO END. In 1998, he released “Requiem for My Friend,” an album dedicated to the director. This exclusive interview was conducted...

  • 1966–1988: Kieślowski, Polish Filmmaker

    This 2005 documentary, produced by MK2 and directed by Luc Lagier, examines director Krzysztof Kieślowski’s work in Poland, focusing on the political and artistic conditions in which his career developed.