Review of Blind Chance (1987) by Walter M — 16 May 2010

[font=Century Gothic]In "Blind Chance", Witek(Boguslaw Linda) is a young medical student whose domineering father died just a few days previously. He is now at a crossroads of his life, unsure if he still wants to study medicine which his father always wanted him to. He runs to make the Warsaw train...and three separate timelines result...[/font].

[font=Century Gothic]A) Witek makes the train. After attempting to help a prisoner escape, he befriends Werner(Tadeusz Lomnicki). Werner puts him into contact with Communist party officials who are able to employ Witek.[/font].

[font=Century Gothic][/font].

[font=Century Gothic]B) Witek just misses the train, getting into an altercation with a policeman on the platform. He is sentenced to thirty days parole and a suggestion of community service where he meets Marek(Jacek Borkowski), a member of the university underground.[/font].

[font=Century Gothic][/font].

[font=Century Gothic]C) Witek misses the train and the policeman but renews the acquaintance of Olga(Monika Gozdzik) who is at the train station to see him off. Their friendship leads to sex which leads to pregnancy which leads to marriage.[/font].

[font=Century Gothic][/font].

[font=Century Gothic][/font].

[font=Century Gothic]Directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski, "Blind Chance" is a triptych of short films about the paths a person's life can take. It is not only an intelligent meditation on the capricious nature of fate but also on the limits of freedom in a society that is anything but free.[/font].

[font=Century Gothic][/font].

[font=Century Gothic]Note: "Blind Chance" would inspire later films including "Run Lola Run"(which I loved) and "Sliding Doors"(which I haven't seen). [/font].