A Short Film About Love
Encyclopedia
A Short Film About Love is an expanded film version of the sixth episode
of director Krzysztof Kieślowski
's 1988 Polish
language ten-part television series, The Decalogue
. Set in Warsaw
, the film is about obsession.
It was adapted in Hindi in 2002 as Ek Chhotisi Love Story
.
through an examination of the relationship between nineteen-year old Tomek (Olaf Lubaszenko
), raised in an orphanage, and an older woman named Magda (Grażyna Szapołowska) that begins when he spies on her life through a telescope from his bedroom window across a courtyard to her apartment. Obsessed with her, and growing bolder, the young man invents reasons to make contact until finally he meets her and confesses his conduct and feelings. Their entanglement leads to deep psychological problems for both showing, without saying, right and wrong changing back and forth. Like Kieślowski's other Decalogue films, it features the mysterious angelic 'Man In White'.
The film resembles the original television version
, with minor changes and expansions to the script. The most significant change is to the ending, which was rewritten at the suggestion of lead actress Grażyna Szapołowska, who wanted the film to have a "fairytale ending". The original version ends with Tomek back at work, recovered from his attempted suicide, and telling Magda that he does not watch her anymore. The film ends with Magda's more developed concern for Tomek mirroring his earlier obsession with her. The film concludes in Tomek's room after his return from hospital. She looks through his telescope into her own apartment and Kieślowski replays an earlier scene of Magda crying in her kitchen, which had led Tomek to reveal his feelings to her, only this time she is joined and comforted by Tomek.
Decalogue VI
The Decalogue - VI is a sixth part of the television series The Decalogue by Polish director Krzysztof Kieślowski, connected to the sixth imperative of the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt not commit adultery."...
of director Krzysztof Kieślowski
Krzysztof Kieslowski
Krzysztof Kieślowski was an Academy Award nominated influential Polish film director and screenwriter, known internationally for The Double Life of Veronique and his film cycles The Decalogue and Three Colors.-Early life:...
's 1988 Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
language ten-part television series, The Decalogue
The Decalogue
The Decalogue is a 1989 Polish television drama series directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski and co-written by Kieślowski with Krzysztof Piesiewicz, with music by Zbigniew Preisner...
. Set in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, the film is about obsession.
It was adapted in Hindi in 2002 as Ek Chhotisi Love Story
Ek Chhotisi Love Story
Ek Chotisi Love Story is a 2002 romantic film directed by Shashilal K. Nair. The film is an adaptation of Krzysztof Kieślowski's A Short Film About Love .-Plot:...
.
Plot
The storyline explores the themes of love and voyeurismVoyeurism
In clinical psychology, voyeurism is the sexual interest in or practice of spying on people engaged in intimate behaviors, such as undressing, sexual activity, or other activity usually considered to be of a private nature....
through an examination of the relationship between nineteen-year old Tomek (Olaf Lubaszenko
Olaf Lubaszenko
Olaf Lubaszenko is a Polish actor and movie director.- Dubbing :* Cziłała z Beverly Hills 2 as Delgado* Cziłała z Beverly Hills as Delgado...
), raised in an orphanage, and an older woman named Magda (Grażyna Szapołowska) that begins when he spies on her life through a telescope from his bedroom window across a courtyard to her apartment. Obsessed with her, and growing bolder, the young man invents reasons to make contact until finally he meets her and confesses his conduct and feelings. Their entanglement leads to deep psychological problems for both showing, without saying, right and wrong changing back and forth. Like Kieślowski's other Decalogue films, it features the mysterious angelic 'Man In White'.
The film resembles the original television version
Decalogue VI
The Decalogue - VI is a sixth part of the television series The Decalogue by Polish director Krzysztof Kieślowski, connected to the sixth imperative of the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt not commit adultery."...
, with minor changes and expansions to the script. The most significant change is to the ending, which was rewritten at the suggestion of lead actress Grażyna Szapołowska, who wanted the film to have a "fairytale ending". The original version ends with Tomek back at work, recovered from his attempted suicide, and telling Magda that he does not watch her anymore. The film ends with Magda's more developed concern for Tomek mirroring his earlier obsession with her. The film concludes in Tomek's room after his return from hospital. She looks through his telescope into her own apartment and Kieślowski replays an earlier scene of Magda crying in her kitchen, which had led Tomek to reveal his feelings to her, only this time she is joined and comforted by Tomek.
Cast
- Grażyna Szapołowska - Magda
- Olaf Lubaszenko - Tomek
- Stefania Iwinska - Godmother
- Piotr Machalica - Roman
Awards
- Gdansk Film Festival - Grand Prize
- San Sebastian International Film FestivalSan Sebastián International Film FestivalThe San Sebastián International Film Festival is an annual FIAPF A category film festival held in the Spanish city of San Sebastián .-History:The festival was founded in 1953...
- Special Jury Prize - São Paulo International Film FestivalSão Paulo International Film FestivalThe São Paulo International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in São Paulo, Brazil since 1976. In 2004 Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami was a member of the jury.-International Jury Award:*2001: The New Country ...
- Audience Award - National Board of Review Awards - Outstanding Achievement in Foreign Film Award
- Venice Film FestivalVenice Film FestivalThe Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
- FIPRESCI award - Chicago Film Critics Awards - Best Foreign Language Film