A Short Film About Killing (1988)
A Short Film About Killing
”A young lawyer defends a criminal sentenced to death for killing a taxi driver, questioning the penal system.”
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Why watch this film?
This is the cinematic version of 'The Decalogue', a Polish television series that made Krzysztof Kieslowski famous worldwide, based on the Ten Commandments. Two episodes were adapted to be released in the feature film format, 'Thou Shalt Not Love' and 'Krótki film o zabijaniu' (Thou Shalt Not Kill), which won the international critics' and jury prizes at Cannes. Polish director Kieslowski raised interesting questions with his work, discussing legal issues in Poland, also analyzed from a psychological and religious point of view. Speaking of the legal part, screenwriter Krzysztof Piesiewicz, who had a long partnership with Kieslowski, brought his old profession to discuss this issue. Piesiewicz is a lawyer and politician, he is a member of the Polish Senate, so the justice-related part of the movie is very well explored. 'Krótki film o zabijaniu' (Thou Shalt Not Kill) reminds a documentary, by the way it was filmed, and also by the construction of the story, leaving the viewer free to draw their own conclusions amidst the events. The green filter used in the camera gives a gloomy appearance - which gets even more intense as the story progresses. Another interesting point to observe is the discussion about the death penalty, Krzysztof Kieslowski makes it very clear that he is not in favor of it and the film manages to give a jab to those who defend this issue. In fact, 'Krótki film o zabijaniu' (Thou Shalt Not Kill) was released in 1988 and the following year, the death penalty was prohibited in Poland, for all crimes.
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Plot summary
A young lawyer defends his first complicated case: representing a criminal who was sentenced to death for killing a taxi driver. The lawyer confirms his opposition to the death penalty, while he learns more about the penal system.
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