Decalogue III

Krzysztof Kieślowski and Krzysztof Piesiewicz’s idea to use the Old Testament’s Decalogue as a foundation for ten cinematic stories might have seemed like madness. Yet, the two filmmakers set themselves a task that was both unconventional and deeply intriguing. Their project began with a fundamental question: How do we interpret the Ten Commandments today? What do they really mean in the modern world? Are they still a moral compass, or merely a formulaic lesson memorized before first communion and later forgotten?

Each of the ten parts of Decalogue corresponds to one of the commandments, portraying a person who – consciously or not – violates it and faces the consequences. The third commandment speaks of keeping the Sabbath holy. In the film, this takes place on Christmas Eve – a time meant to foster closeness, heal conflicts, and offer forgiveness. Yet, the couple who spend this evening together defy the holiday’s spirit. Christmas does not bring them peace; instead, it forces them to confront their past and each other. Kieślowski and Piesiewicz’s series offers no easy resolutions. Those facing a moral crossroads must find their own way. Whether they choose to change their lives afterward – that is another question entirely.

Piotr Kotowski

Krzysztof Kieślowski (1941–1996) was a Polish filmmaker who started out as a director of documentaries. He gained international fame with the TV series The Decalogue (1989) and two films that were extended versions of its episodes, A Short Film about Killing and A Short Film about Love. These were followed by The Double Life of Veronique (1991) and his last work, the Three Colours trilogy (1993–94).

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