Krzysztof Kieslowski's "A Short Film About Killing" is an extended version of his episode V of "The Decalogue." It is about 24 minutes longer in length than its television series counterpart, but is basically the same film just fleshed out a bit. As the title suggests, this film is about killing and revolves around the lives of three people: a mean spirited cab driver who is the victim, the reckless young man who is the killer, and an ambitious young lawyer who defends him.
It portrays events where a life is taken by a killer and then the state uses the same method to punish the killer. In a sense, the film is about the death penalty, but does not make any obvious conclusions on the ethical use of this punishment. It merely shows the events that lead up to the murder, the murder itself, and the state handing out the punishment. The killer and victim both got on my nerves in the events leading up to the murder, as both of them were annoying people often reckless and inconsiderate of others. Interestingly enough, the victim and killer shared more in common than this, as the victim was choked with a rope, and the killer was hung with a rope. We truly have an "eye for an eye" punishment, adding some symbolism to the film.
The move was very emotional and thoroughly depressing as it depicts the insanity of one who takes the life of another and reminds us that this really is the crazy world in which we live in. Although this is not one of my favorite films by Kieslowski, it really is a work of art and seems to be more appreciated by those outside Poland than by the people in it.