Review of A Short Film About Killing (1988) by Mateusz Z — 10 Mar 2010

Even at just 84 minutes, this is quite a powerful film. Originally part of Krzysztof Kieslowski's incredible "Decalogue" series (made for Polish television), this tale of a condemned murderer was slightly extended to reach feature length.

A confused, nervous youth brutally kills a taxi driver, is caught and sentenced to death. His motive is not well-explained, and the senselessness of the crime is one of the story's most upsetting elements. To add further ambiguity, the cabbie has revealed his own cruel traits and is actually less sympathetic than his killer. Meanwhile, the boy's sensitive lawyer has a crisis of conscience amidst the proceedings.

What's most striking about Kieslowski's direction is his flawless sense of pace. The tension builds so perfectly, and there's never a shot which seems to last a frame too long or too short. This is all the more remarkable, knowing that the film had to be re-edited after being "finished" at a much shorter length. It's a beautifully made piece. This is not the sort of morality play which will provoke heated debates about capital punishment, but it does exquisitely illustrate the emotional cost of violence.