A Short Film About Killing
From Tue 10 to Mon 23 MarAs contemplative as it is confrontational, Kieslowski addresses the notion of violence directly. Through a seemingly random murder by Jacek, followed by his state-sanctioned execution, Kieslowski does not seek to shock but to awaken sympathy in the audience. As we witness the killings, Kieslowski’s camera lingers and traps us inside the moral weight of each of these despicable acts. As a result, the film becomes less of a crime story and more of a philosophical contemplation. Kieslowski asks existential questions about justice, responsibility, and the human cost of punishment. Coincidentally (or not), this exceptional film was released in 1988, which also marked the last year of capital punishment in Poland.
Both A Short Film About Killing and A Short Film About Love are feature-length adaptations of The Decalogue, a TV series Kieślowski created for Polish TV.
This film is part of the strand Tribute to Krzysztof Kieslowski (read more below)
Tribute to Krzysztof Kieslowski
To mark the 30th anniversary of Krzysztof Kieślowski’s passing on 13 March, Kinoteka is partnering with Ciné Lumière for a special tribute to the great filmmaker, who worked both in Poland and France. The programme features his early documentary shorts alongside landmark feature films, including a special screening of A Short Film about Love followed by a conversation with the revered actor Grażyna Szapołowska and a film by the Quay Brothers reflecting on Kieslowski’s artistry and impact on cinema
Audiences will have a chance to take part in the world premiere of Call Kieslowski, an innovative AI project that allows attendees to engage in conversation with the filmmaker. In addition, up-and-coming media and film students will reinterpret, together with the audience, Kieślowski’s iconic documentary Talking Heads.
As we embrace cinema & AI to reconnect with Kieślowski, we promise this to be an extraordinary celebration of a filmmaker fascinated by both humanity and innovation.
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