Blind Chance is a Polish film directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski and released in 1981. The movie explores the idea of how seemingly insignificant events can have a profound impact on one's life by following the story of a young man named Witek (played by Bogusław Linda).
The film begins with three different versions of Witek's life after running after a train. In each version, Witek manages to catch or miss the train and his life takes a completely different path. In the first version, Witek catches the train and becomes a loyal member of the Communist Party, rising through the ranks to become a successful lawyer. In the second version, Witek misses the train and ends up joining the anti-communist resistance. In the third version, Witek catches the train but decides to leave his law studies and become a conductor instead.
Throughout the movie, we see Witek's life play out in each of these three variations, with minor differences and coincidences leading to drastically different outcomes. For example, in one version, Witek's father dies of a heart attack, while in another version, he is killed in a car accident. These small differences lead to vastly different experiences and perspectives for Witek.
The film ends with all three versions of Witek colliding in a final scene at a train station. This scene suggests that even though each version of Witek had vastly different experiences, they all lead to the same ultimate conclusion, highlighting the idea that fate is ultimately what dictates our lives, no matter how much free will we think we have.
Blind Chance is a powerful exploration of the idea of how events small and large can have profound and far-reaching consequences, and how even the most seemingly banal decisions can ultimately shape the course of our lives. It is a thought-provoking and impactful film that continues to be celebrated for its themes and storytelling decades after its release.
