Three Colors: Red

Valentine Dussaut, a university student from Geneva, finds herself juggling her academic responsibilities alongside her part-time modeling career. This duality complicates her personal life, particularly with her possessive boyfriend who is abroad and the anticipation of their imminent reunion in London.

During a modeling session for a chewing-gum advertisement, Valentine has a poignant photo taken that unintentionally captures a sense of sadness. This moment serves as a foreshadowing of the emotional events that follow in her life.

Valentine's life takes a drastic turn when she accidentally runs over a pregnant Malinois dog named Rita while driving home. Filled with guilt, she seeks out the dog's owner, but discovers him to be indifferent and uncaring about the incident.

Determined to take responsibility, Valentine chooses to rescue the injured dog and takes her to the veterinarian. This decision marks a pivotal moment in her life as she adopts Rita, forming an unexpected bond with the dog.

Back at her apartment, Valentine receives an unexpected sum of money from an unknown source. This mysterious financial support begins to spiral into complexities as it intertwines with her growing relationship with Joseph Kern.

While walking Rita, Valentine encounters Joseph Kern, who reveals that he sent money to cover the veterinary expenses for the dog. Despite his encouragement to keep Rita, the interaction begins to delve deeper into moral dilemmas between them.

Valentine explores Kern's home and uncovers his eavesdropping on a male neighbor, leading to a tense confrontation. She implores him to respect the neighbor's privacy, sparking a heated discussion on ethical responsibilities in human interactions.

Later that evening, Kern writes reflective letters about his eavesdropping, revealing his troubled conscience. These letters inadvertently contribute to a class-action lawsuit that unfolds later, threatening to further complicate his life.

Kern attends a court appearance where he encounters Karin, whose flirtation brings new complications to his life. They discuss morality, and Kern reveals past mistakes that haunt him, particularly a case he regrets presiding over.

Auguste experiences distress in his relationship with Karin as he uncovers her infidelity. In a moment of frustration, he lashes out, further straining his emotional state and connecting his troubles to the overarching narrative.

In search of a weather forecast for a sailing trip, Kern consults Karin’s personal weather service. As he learns of her optimistic plans with a new boyfriend, it highlights the emotional distance growing between him and Valentine.

During a coffee outing at a theater, Kern discusses his troubled past with Valentine. They share their past relationships, culminating in a tragic love story that reveals Kern's lingering emotions and sets the stage for future conflicts.

As Valentine boards a ferry to England, the narrative unfolds its darker themes. Kern's tragic past intertwines with present events as he reflects on a lost love that perished during a crossing, foreshadowing impending turmoil.

While Kern remains on land caring for puppies, a catastrophic storm hits the English Channel. The ferry carrying Valentine, along with Karin's yacht, faces disaster, plunging everyone into an uncertain fate.

In the aftermath of the storm, news reports reveal that only seven individuals, including Valentine and Auguste, have survived the tragedy. Kern's conflicting emotions of concern and relief surface as he grapples with the consequences of their intertwined lives.