The Decalogue: Part One

Krzysztof Kieślowski’s "The Decalogue, One," as the first part of the series, addresses the theme of the first commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me." The director subtly and profoundly explores not only the existence of God but also contemporary tendencies to create new, false idols—especially in the context of technology, which increasingly becomes a central element in modern life. In this film, the computer becomes that "idol"—an object of worship, to which almost unconditional faith is given. The story centers on Krzysztof, the father of seven-year-old Paweł, who faces a moral and existential dilemma in front of his computer. The computer, as a symbol of modern technology, is treated almost like an omniscient authority—a tool that provides answers to all questions, including the most important ones about life and death. In his interaction with the computer, Krzysztof begins to regard it almost as a deity, believing that the machine can answer questions that touch on the essence of human existence.