Kieslowski's first film in France made a star out of its lead actress, Irène Jacob, who won an acting award at Cannes for her portrayal of two nearly identical women. The Polish Veronika leaves her small town for Krakow, where she hopes to begin a singing career, but a weak heart may put an end to her dreams, and possibly her life. In Paris, the French Véronique is also blessed with a beautiful singing voice, and cursed with a weak heart; her choice, or her circumstances, may lead to a happier fate. “A tour de force of flickering, incandescent images” (Village Voice) grounded by Jacob's radiant performance, The Double Life of Véronique is metaphysical cinema in its purest form. Kieslowski's original intent was to shoot several different versions of the film to play randomly in various theaters; all that would remain constant would be “pure emotions.”