In Poland, Karol tries to start a new life and business, but he is constantly haunted by his failed marriage and impotence. He meets a hairdresser named Dominika, who initially rejects him but later becomes his lover and business partner. However, their relationship becomes complicated when Dominika starts to manipulate him for her own gain and Karol becomes involved in a scheme to take revenge on his ex-wife.
Throughout the film, director Krzysztof Kieślowski explores themes of love, identity, class, and nationality. The color white represents these themes, as well as the idea of a fresh start and a blank slate. The cinematography and music in the film also reflect these themes, with a minimalist and haunting score by Zbigniew Preisner.
The film is part of the Three Colors trilogy, which also includes Blue and Red, and is considered a masterpiece of European cinema. It was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and won Best Director at the 1995 European Film Awards.