Review of A Short Film About Killing (1988) by B. C — 31 Jul 2007

Kieslowski's "A short film about killing" is a gruesome vision of a death. It wasn't a film that had hundreds of deaths in it or gallons of blood but instead Kieslowski concentrated on the life of one young man named Jacek who murders a taxi driver and Piotr a young man who just passed his bar exam and becomes a lawyer now is thrown into the case of defending the young murderer.

The film is simply about the act of killing and how the lives of the two intertwine forever. Kieslowski is a master at achieving the goal of the film and delievering a clear messege as the opening scene of the film was a dead rat floating in a pond followed by a dead cat hanging of some type of wire; and basically sets the erie tone for things to come.

The cinematography was interesting. I saw something done in the film that hasn't been done in any of his past films. He used an effect where the lens captured it's brightest spot from the middle and everything out of that registered darker.

Now wether this was done intentionally of just a beautiful mistake, I thought it added a touch on Jacek's decision making before the killing. It's the best film i've seen on killing, ever.

It touches on the human element of death and reminds us how precious life's little dull and awkward moments are as beautiful and important as love. FAVORITE SCENE: Jacek flings some coffee fome on the window of a cafe making little girls smile and Jacek as well.