KRZYSZTOF KIESLOWSKIS

THE DECALOGUE
Special Jury Prize, Cannes Film Festival

CREDITS
Decalogue 1
Director:
Krzysztof Kielowski
Screenplay:
Krzysztof Kielowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz
Cinematography:
Wiesaw Zdort
Editor:
Ewa Smal
Art Director:
Halina Dobrowolska
Sound:
Magorzata Jaworska
Music:
Zbigniew Preisner
Producer:
Ryszard Chutkowski
Production Company: Polish Television
Cast:
Henryk Baranowski (Krzysztof), Wojciech Klata (Pawe),
Maja Komorowska (Irena), Artur Barci (Man in the sheepskin),
Maria Gadkowska (Girl), Ewa Kania (Ewa Jezierska),
Aleksandra Kisielewska (Woman), Aleksandra Majsiuk (Ola),
Magda Sroga-Mikoajczyk (Journalist), Anna Smal-Romaska,
Maciej Sawinski, Piotr Wyrzykowski, Boena Wrbel
Running Time: 53 mins.
Decalogue 2
Director:
Krzysztof Kielowski
Screenplay:
Krzysztof Kielowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz
Cinematography:
Edward Kosiski
Editor:
Ewa Smal
Art Director:
Halina Dobrowolska
Sound:
Magorzata Jaworska
Music:
Zbigniew Preisner
Producer:
Ryszard Chutkowski
Production Company: Polish Television
Cast:
Krystyna Janda (Dorota), Aleksander Bardini (Consultant),
Olgierd ukaszewicz (Andrzej), Artur Barci (Young Man),
Stanisaw Gawlik, Krzysztof Kumor, Maciej Szary,
Krystyna Bigelmajer, Karol Dillenius, Ewa Ekwiska,
Jerzy Fedorowicz, Piotr Siejka, Aleksander Trbczyski
Running Time: 57 mins.

Decalogue 3
Director:
Krzysztof Kielowski
Screenplay:
Krzysztof Kielowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz
Cinematography:
Piotr Sobociski
Editor:
Ewa Smal
Art Director:
Halina Dobrowolska
Sound:
Nikodem Wok-aniewski
Music:
Zbigniew Preisner
Producer:
Ryszard Chutkowski
Production Company: Polish Television
Cast:
Daniel Olbrychski (Janusz), Maria Pakulnis (Ewa),
Joanna Szczepowska (Januszs wife), Artur Barci (Tram-driver),
Krystyna Drochocka (Aunt), Krzysztof Kumor, Dorota Staliska,
Zygmunt Fok, Jacek Kalucki, Barbara Koodziejska,
Maria Krawczyk, Jerzy Zygmunt Nowak, Piotr Rzymszkiewicz,
Wodzimierz Rzeczycki, Wodzimierz Musia
Running Time: 56 mins.
Decalogue 4
Director:
Krzysztof Kielowski
Screenplay:
Krzysztof Kielowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz
Cinematography:
Krzysztof Pakulski
Editor:
Ewa Smal
Art Director:
Halina Dobrowolska
Sound:
Magorzata Jaworska
Music:
Zbigniew Preisner
Producer:
Ryszard Chutkowski
Production Company: Polish Television
Cast:
Adrianna Biedrzyska (Anka), Janusz Gajos (Micha),
Artur Barci (Young Man), Adam Hanuszkiewicz (Professor),
Jan Tesarz (Taxi-driver), Andrzej Blumenfeld (Michas friend),
Tomasz Kozowicz (Jarek), Elbeta Kilarska (Jareks mother),
Helena Norowicz (Doctor)
Running Time: 56 mins.

Decalogue 5
Director:
Krzysztof Kielowski
Screenplay:
Krzysztof Kielowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz
Cinematography:
Sawomir Idziak
Editor:
Ewa Smal
Art Director:
Halina Dobrowolska
Sound:
Magorzata Jaworska
Music:
Zbigniew Preisner
Producer:
Ryszard Chutkowski
Production Company: Polish Television
Cast:
Mirosaw Baka (Jacek), Krzysztof Globisz (Piotr), Jan Tesarz
(Taxi-driver), Zbigniew Zapasiewicz (Police Inspector), Barbara
Dziekan-Wajda (Cashier), Aleksander Bednarz, Jerzy Zass,
Zdzisaw Tobiasz, Artur Barci, Krystyna Janda, Olgierd
ukaszewicz
Running Time: 57 mins.
Decalogue 6
Director:
Krzysztof Kielowski
Screenplay:
Krzysztof Kielowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz
Cinematography:
Witold Adamek
Editor:
Ewa Smal
Art Director:
Halina Dobrowolska
Sound:
Nikodem Wok-aniewski
Music:
Zbigniew Preisner
Producer:
Ryszard Chutkowski
Production Company: Polish Television
Cast:
Grayna Szapoowska (Magda), Olaf Lubaszenko (Tomek),
Stefania Iwiska (Godmother), Artur Barci (Young Man),
Stanisaw Gawlik (Postman), Piotr Machalica (Roman),
Rafa Imbro (Bearded Man), Jan Piechociski (Blond Man),
Magorzata Roniatowska, M. Chojnacka, T. Gradowski,
K. Koperski, J. Michalewska, E. Zikowska
Running Time: 58 mins.

Decalogue 7
Director:
Krzysztof Kielowski
Screenplay:
Krzysztof Kielowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz
Cinematography:
Dariusz Kuc
Editor:
Ewa Smal
Art Director:
Halina Dobrowolska
Sound:
Nikodem Wok-aniewski
Music:
Zbigniew Preisner
Producer:
Ryszard Chutkowski
Production Company: Polish Television
Cast:
Anna Polony (Ewa), Maja Barekowska (Majka),
Wadysaw Kowalski (Stefan), Bogusaw Linda (Wojtek),
Boena Dykiel (Ticket Woman), Katarzyna Piwowarczyk (Ania),
Stefania Boska, Dariusz Jaboski, Jan Mayzel,
Mirosawa Maludziska, Ewa Radzikowska, Wanda Wrblewska
Running Time: 55 mins.
Decalogue 8
Director:
Krzysztof Kielowski
Screenplay:
Krzysztof Kielowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz
Cinematography:
Andrzej Jaroszewicz
Editor:
Ewa Smal
Art Director:
Halina Dobrowolska
Sound:
Wiesawa Dembiska
Music:
Zbigniew Preisner
Producer:
Ryszard Chutkowski
Production Company: Polish Television
Cast:
Maria Kociakowska (Zofia), Teresa Marczewska (Elbieta),
Artur Barci (Young Man), Tadeusz omnicki (Tailor),
Marian Opania, Bronisaw Pawlik, Wojciech Asiski,
Marek Kpiski, Janusz Mond, Krzysztof Rojek, Wiktor Sanejko,
Ewa Skibiska, Hanna Szcerkowska, Ann Zagrska
Running Time: 55 mins.

Decalogue 9
Director:
Krzysztof Kielowski
Screenplay:
Krzysztof Kielowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz
Cinematography:
Piotr Sobociski
Editor:
Ewa Smal
Art Director:
Halina Dobrowolska
Sound:
Nikodem Wok-aniewski
Music:
Zbigniew Preisner
Producer:
Ryszard Chutkowski
Production Company: Polish Television
Cast:
Ewa Baszczyk (Hanka), Piotr Machalica (Roman), Artur Barci
(Young Man), Jan Jankowski (Mariusz), Jolanta Pitek-Grecka
(Ola), Katarzyna Piwowarczyk (Ania), Jerzy Trela (Mikolaj),
Magorzata Boratyska, Renata Berger, Janusz Cywiski,
Joanna Cicho, Sawomir Kwiatkowski, Dariusz Przychoda
Running Time: 58 mins.
Decalogue 10
Director:
Krzysztof Kielowski
Screenplay:
Krzysztof Kielowski, Krzysztof Piesiewicz
Cinematography:
Jacek Bawut
Editor:
Ewa Smal
Art Director:
Halina Dobrowolska
Sound:
Nikodem Wok-aniewski
Music:
Zbigniew Preisner
Producer:
Ryszard Chutkowski
Production Company: Polish Television
Cast:
Jerzy Stuhr (Jerzy), Zbigniew Zamachowski (Artur), Henryk Bista
(Shopkeeper), Olaf Lubaszenko (Tomek), Maciej Stuhr (Piotrek),
Jerzy Turek, Anna Gronostaj, Henryk Majcherek, Elbieta Panas,
Dariusz Kozakiewicz, Grzegorz Warcho, Cezary Harasimowicz
Running Time: 57 mins.

Poland, 1988
35mm, Color

In Polish w/ English subtitles

Total Running time: 584 minutes

SYNOPSIS
Decalogue 1
I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Krzysztof introduces his small son, Pawe, to the mysteries of the personal computer, a
machine that he believes is infallible. Following his fathers lead, the inquisitive young
boy is quick to turn to his computer for answers to lifes everyday uncertainties. With
winter approaching, Pawe is anxious to try out his new pair of ice-skates and asks his
father if he can go out to the local pond, which has just frozen over. They decide to
consult the computer; if the computer says that the ice will hold the boys weight, he can
go. The computer promises that the ice is strong enough, and with great enthusiasm,
Pawe heads to the pond to try out his new skates. Unfortunately, the computer fails to
calculate a freak local thaw, resulting in tragic consequences for Krzysztof and his young
son.
Decalogue 2
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Dorota visits Andrzej, her dying husband, in the hospital. She is pregnant this might be
the last chance for her to have a baby but not by him. She asks the Consultant in charge
of her husbands case whether Andrzej will die. If he lives, she will have an abortion; if
he dies, she will have the child. How can the doctor decide the life or death of an unborn
child? How can he be certain whether his patient will die or miraculously recover?
When he decides to tell Dorota that her husband doesnt have a chance, she decides to
have the baby. However, Andrzej unexpectedly recovers.
Decalogue 3
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
It is Christmas Eve, a night when families are together and nobody wants to be alone.
Ewa tricks Janusz, her ex-lover, away from his family and under various pretexts tries to
keep him with her for the night. Janusz wants to go home but Ewa is determined; her
new boyfriend is missing, and Janusz must help her find him.
Decalogue 4
Honor thy father and thy mother.
Following the untimely death of his wife after complications during childbirth, Micha
raises his daughter Anka on his own. Now twenty-years old, Anka has grown into a
beautiful young woman thanks to Michas unconditional love and support. While

Micha is away on business, Anka finds an envelope in her fathers room; its labeled
Not to be opened before my death. Within that envelope is another, addressed in her
mothers handwriting, to Anka. When Micha returns, Anka confronts her father about
the letter which she claims reveals that Micha is not her real father. Soon, a different
relationship emerges between Anka and Micha, as Anka subtly tries to seduce him. A
shattered Micha resists her advances, believing that Anka might still be his daughter.
When Anka confesses that she, in fact, never read the letter, both father and daughter
must come to an entirely new understanding of who they are and what they mean to each
other.
Decalogue 5
Thou shalt not kill.
Without motive, young Jacek brutally murders a taxi-driver. Meanwhile, Piotr has just
passed his law exams and been admitted to the bar. Their destinies converge when he is
set to defend Jacek, who is now facing the death penalty. With no evidence for the
defense, and no apparent motive, Jacek is found guilty and executed by hanging. After
his first case, Piotr is left with bitter doubt does the legal system, in the name of the
people, have the right to kill in cold blood?
(An extended version of Decalogue 5 was also released as A Short Film about Killing)
Decalogue 6
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Tomek, a young post office worker, is obsessed with Magda, the promiscuous woman
who lives in the tower block opposite his. He begins spying on her through a telescope,
initially as a way to feed his voyeuristic impulses, but later, as a way to feed his growing
love for her. When he finally declares his love, Magda initiates him into the basic fact of
life there is no love, only sex. Shattered, Tomek tries to commit suicide but without
success. Upon his return from the hospital, the roles quickly reverse, as Magda finds
herself becoming obsessed with Tomek.
(An extended version of Decalogue 6 was also released as A Short Film about Love)
Decalogue 7
Thou shalt not steal.
Six-year old Ania is being brought up by Ewa in the belief that Majka, Ewas daughter, is
her sister, whereas Majka is really her mother. Tired of living this lie and desperate to
have Ania love her as a mother, Majka kidnaps Ania and runs away from her parents.
She seeks refuge with Wojtek, Anias father. Majka was just a schoolgirl when Wojtek,
her teacher, got her pregnant. Ewa, jealous of Anias love, looks for her everywhere,

eventually phoning Wojtek. Majka seizes her little girl and continues to run; she will
only return home if her mother allows her to bring up her own daughter in the recognition
of the true relationship. Majka and Ania hide at a nearby station. Ewa asks the woman at
the ticket office whether she has seen a young woman with a little girl. The ticket woman
lies yes, she did see them but they left some two hours ago. In the background, Ania
wakes up and sees Ewa. Mommy, she calls and runs to her. A train arrives; Majka
jumps on, rejecting Ewas pleas for her to come home.
Decalogue 8
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Elbieta, researching the fate of Jewish war survivors, is visiting from New York and sits
on lectures in ethics at the University of Warsaw. She approaches Zofia, the professor,
and tells her that she is the little girl whom Zofia refused to shelter from the Nazis during
the Occupation. As Zofia explains the reason for this is apparent cowardice someone
had betrayed Zofias husband who was active in the underground and any Jewish child
would have fallen into the hands of the Gestapo her long-standing sense of guilt is
cleared while Elbietas faith in humanity is restored.
Decalogue 9
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife.
Roman learns hes impotent. Recognizing his wife Hankas sexual needs, he encourages
her to take a lover. She is reluctant; she loves Roman, but does have an affair with
Mariusz, a student. Roman, despite his own words, becomes excessively jealous and
obsessed with the thought that Hanka might have followed his encouragement and taken
a lover. He spies on her and learns of her relationship with Mariusz; unaware of the fact
that Hanka has broken off the affair. Roman tries to commit suicide but survives. Hanka
rushes to his side.
Decalogue 10
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors goods.
A man dies leaving an extremely valuable stamp collection to his two sons, Jerzy and
Artur. Although they know very little about stamps, they are unwilling to sell. They
learn that one very rare stamp is needed to complete the valuable set. To acquire the
stamp Jerzy donates his kidney the man in possession of the stamp is in need of a
kidney for his daughter. Returning from the hospital, Jerzy and Artur find that they have
been burgled. The entire stamp collection is gone. Shamefully, they confess that they
suspected each other and are reconciled.
(Descriptions and credit information from the book: Kielowski on Kielowski, by
Krzysztof Kielowski, edited by Danusia Stok, 1993, London: Faber and Faber.)

PRODUCTION NOTES
Kielowski on The Decalogue
For 6,000 years, these rules have been unquestionably right. And yet we break them
every day. People feel that something is wrong in life. There is some kind of atmosphere
that makes people now turn to other values. They want to contemplate the basic questions
of life, and that is probably the real reason for wanting to tell these stories.
We knew that we had to find extreme, extraordinary situations for our characters, ones
in which they would face difficult choices and make decisions which could not be taken
lightly. And yet the films could not in any way be an account of ordinary life - on the
contrary, they had to take the form of highly compact, streamlined bullets. It very quickly
became clear that these would be films about feelings and passions, because we know
that love, or the fear of death, or the pain caused by a needle-prick, are common to all
people, irrespective of their political views, the color of their skin or their standard of
living.
Look through any window of a housing project; there are people behind them. If you
look closely, there is something interesting going on at their place. In other words, in the
interior of each person, there is something interesting. You simply have to remove the
mask. Then we can remain together for a while.
We didnt want to adopt the tone of those who praise or condemn, handing out a reward
here for doing good and a punishment there for doing evil. Rather, we wished to say,
We know no more than you But maybe it is worth investigating the unknown, if only
because the very feeling of not knowing is a painful one.

KIELOWSKI BIOGRAPHY
Krzysztof Kielowski was born in 1941 and graduated from the State Theatrical and Film
College in Lodz in 1969. His early films were documentaries and shorts and, while still a
student, he made Photograph for Polish television.
His feature film debut came in 1973 with Pedestrian Subway, which was followed in
1975 by Personnel, a semi-documentary in which the hero has to choose whether to
denounce a friend or lose his job. The Scar (1976) was followed by Camera Buff - a
story about an amateur cameraman whose love for his hobby causes trouble with the
authorities. Camera Buff won the Grand Prix at the 1979 Moscow Film Festival.
Calmness (1976) was banned at the time by the Polish authorities. It focuses on a
worker, newly released from prison, who vows to stay out of trouble but finds himself
caught in a No Mans Land between the workers and the management of a factory.
The satires Blind Chance and the television feature Short Days Work, both made in
1981, were also banned at the time.
A Short Film About Killing, the feature film version of Decalogue 5, was named Best
Film at the First European Film Awards in 1988, as well as winning the Jury Prize at
Cannes and the Golden Lion at Gdansk.
A Short Film About Love is the feature film version of Decalogue 6, and showed to wide
acclaim.

KIELOWSKI FILMOGRAPHY
1966

The Tram (Tramwaj)

The Office (Urzad)

Short feature (6 mins.)

Documentary (6 mins.)

1967

Concert of Requests (Koncert Zyczen)

Feature (17 mins.)

1968

The Photograph (Zdjecie)

Documentary (32 mins.)

1969

From the City of Lodz (Z Masta Lodzi)

Documentary (17 mins.)

1970

I Was a Soldier (Bylem Zolnierzem)

Factory (Fabryka)

Documentary (16 mins.)

Documentary (17 mins.)

1971

Before the Rally

Workers (Robotnicy)

Documentary (15 mins.)

Documentary (47 mins.)

1972

Refrain (Refren)
Between Wroclawiem and Zielona Gora
The Principles of Safety and
Hygiene in a Copper Mine

Documentary (10 mins.)

Commissioned (10 mins.)

1973

Bricklayer (Murarz)
Pedestrian Subway (Przejscie Podziemne)

Documentary (17 mins.)

TV drama (30 mins.)

1974

X-Ray (Przeswietlenie)
First Love (Pierwsza Milosc)

Documentary (13 mins.)

TV documentary (30 mins.)

1975

Curriculum Vitae (Zyciorys)

Personnel (Personel)

Docu-drama (45 mins.)

TV drama (72 mins.)

1976

Hospital (Szpital)
Slate (Klaps)
The Scar (Blizna)
The Calm (Spokoj)

Documentary (21 mins.)

Feature (6 mins.)
Feature (104 min.)
TV drama (44 mins.)

1977

From a Night Porters Point of View

(Z Punktu Widzenia Nocnego Portiera)
I Dont Know (Nie Wiem)

Documentary (17 mins.)

Documentary (46 mins.)

Seven Women of Different Ages

(Siedem Kobiet W Roznym Wieku)

Documentary (16 min.)

Camera Buff (Amator)

Feature (112 mins.)

1978
1979

Commissioned (21 mins.)

1980

Station (Dworzec)
Talking Heads (Godajace Glowy)

Documentary (13 mins.)

Documentary (16 mins.)

1981

Blind Chance (Przypadek)

Short Working Day (Krotki Dzien Pracy)

Feature (122 mins.)

Feature (79 mins.)

1984

No End (Bez Konca)

Feature (107 mins.)

1998

Seven Days a Week

(Slidem dni W Tygodniu)
A Short Film About Killing
(Krotki Film O Zabijaniu)
A Short Film About Love
(Krotki Film O Mibosci)
The Decalogue (Dekalog)

Documentary (18 mins.)

Feature (85 mins.)
Feature (87 mins.)
TV 1) 53 mins. 2) 57 mins.
3) 56 mins. 4) 56 mins. 5) 57 mins.
6) 58 mins. 7) 55 mins. 8) 55 mins.
9) 53 mins. 10) 57 mins.

1991

Double Life of Veronique

Feature (98 mins.)

1993

Three Colors: Blue

Three Colors: White

Feature (100 mins.)

Feature (100 mins.)

1994

Three Colors: Red

Feature (100 mins.)