Tyler Karol Decalogue


How does the visual medium of film work as Midrash?
The visual medium of film works as Midrash as it helps us interpret these concepts through visuals rather than through reading. The director does an exceptional job of helping portray Midrash through emotions seen through the father and son throughout the film. In the first episode, we view the commandment “I am the Lord thy God: thou shalt not have strange gods before me.” The film relates these “strange gods” to the computer through the father and son as they become obsessive over this computer almost as a symbol of God. Similar to faith in God, it is tested at times and these characters also test their faith in the computer when they go to confirm the computers output on the ice.

Do any of the visuals of the film work as symbols that bridge the gap of understanding? How?
One character seemed to stick out as a symbol of God throughout the film. This figure was shown multiple times throughout the films and represents that God is with us at all times whether we think He is there or not. The timing of this character coming into scenes is well placed to bridge the gap of this idea.





How did the film relate feeling to meaning? Note that Kieslowski said, “It very quickly became clear that these would be films about feelings and passions, because we knew that love, or the fear of death, or the pain caused by a needle-prick, are common to all people, irrespective of their political views, the colour of their skin or their standard of living.”
The film related feeling to meaning in many ways, but, the emotions of disbelief and sadness are portrayed very well from when the father first finds out about the death to when it is confirmed. Disbelief is conveyed through the father wanted to reject the thought of the computer being wrong and the sadness is shown through him when the death is confirmed on the bodies are pulled out of the ice.

Finally, does this film cycle work to contextualize and integrate the code into an individual's life, bridging the flux of the moment to the ultimate meaning of eternity?
The film does an excellent job of contextualizing and integrating the code of these teachings into individual life. Decalogue made the audience feel emotion for the characters through an event of death that is relatable to many individuals.

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