Stephanie Colb - The Decalogue

Kieslowski's The Decalogue is a series of films displaying the ideas of The Ten Commandments, typically in ways not clearly displayed. The first of the films connected to the first of the commandments which is known as, "I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other Gods before me." This theme, in my opinion, was more difficult to follow as a visual medium as midrash. After deeper thought, however, it was clear. The nature of death is present in these films and it is seen in this film through the death of the son, Pawel. Pawel is a very intelligent 12-year old boy who lives with his father, a professor. After becoming depressed at the sight of a dead dog, Pawel beings to wonder about death. The explanation given by his rather was rather harsh, he described it as "the ending of all vital functions." Throughout this film, Pawel and his father rely deeply on the use of computers and technology; which in some sense, can connect to the first commandment. A false God or other Gods that are put before God could be considered anything that distracts individuals in a negative way or away from worshiping the one God. In this example, Pawel and his father spend a lot of time relying on the computer, which results in Pawel's death by trusting a computer to decide if ice on a river is think enough to skate on. The computer says it is; therefore, Pawel goes to skate, ending in his death. After viewing the film entirely, it is easier to see the way that Kieslowski used the visual medium of film as Midrash. This continues through the interpretation of the second film referring to the second commandment which says, "you shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God."
Kieslowski used feeling and meaning in a deep sense through The Decalogue by connecting real life situations and possibilities to the Ten Commandments. The nature of death is a topic that some people find to be untouchable; however, it is viewed in different opinions in this film. Some find it as the ending of all, some see it as a more religious and soulful belief. This connects to individual's lives and the idea of eternity as well. Again, in the second film the nature of death is displayed but in a different way. The doctor finds himself having to basically choose who lives in the situation of a pregnant woman. Through the nature of death, the idea of eternity is obviously revealed. This film brings all parts of an individual's life into order through religion because of the medium of Midrash.