Dual Play

However, let us celebrate the subtle yet completely moving performance by French actress Irene Jacob, who plays both Veronique and Weronika in this 1991 film.

The story revolves around two women who are connected through music and live similar lives but in different countries. Veronique is from Paris and works at a music school, while Weronika is Polish, lives in Karkow, and sings with the opera. Both suffer from a heart ailment. They have never met before. Yet each woman feels a strange connection, as if they are not alone. While one gives up all in pursuit of her dream, the other gives up halfway to follow a different path.

This tale of intrigue and mystery unfolds against the backdrop of two highly political incidents. One is the civil protest of workers against the Soviet Bloc in Karkow while the other is the bomb blast at the Paris station. If it was an early Kieslowski film, the political struggle would have been the centrepiece. However, by this time, the director was occupied with pondering over more existential dilemmas.

In Double Life, he examines the power of free will over fatalism and talks about the possibilities of choosing to mould one8217;s life. Given that the early death of Weronika symbolises the submission of Poland to the Soviet Bloc after the Second World War, the filmmaker indicates the important role that fate has to play.

On the other hand, the Parisian Veronique symbolises free will and its triumph. The puppeteer, played by Bruce Schwartz, is central to Veronique8217;s discovery of her doppelganger. Some speculate that the manipulative puppeteer is actually a reference to America who was instrumental in playing Big Brother during the Soviet-America standoff.

Political references aside, Double Life is a cinematic feast and every lover should watch it. The camera movements, the special lighting and the haunting background score reconfirm that Kieslowski is a master of his craft.