Anne Zagursky-Decalogue-First Commandment

In the mini-series, The Decalogue, the Polish directors found modern parallels for each of the Ten Commandments. He created it in such a way as to make the film seem like it is representing all people and this is just one example of the commandment. He does not force the commandment or say it outright. Nor does he suggest any solutions or make the viewer or people in the film feel guilty for their sinful behavior. He merely presents the situation that shows an example of the commandment and allows the viewer to make his own judgment.

In the first commandment movie we are introduced to a man who relied on technology, science, and his own calculations over God. The first commandment says, "I am the Lord, your God. You will have no other gods before me." It sees that the man makes science and himself a god. His little son was also interested in science and was very smart. Howver, he was also interested in religion as well. His aunt even set him up for religion classes at the local church. The little boy got a new pair of skates and asked his dad if it was safe to skate on the frozen lake. According to his calculations, the ice was thick enough to hold the boy's weight. The boy went out the next day, but the ice was not strong enough and he fell through and died. The man had trusted his own calculations, but in the end they failed him and it cost him his most precious gift.

In the film there was a lot of amazing symbolism and imagery used to tell the story. There is hardly any dialogue at all, but the story is easily understood. One image was the computer that the man and his son used. It would periodically flash the phrase, "I'm ready." In the Bible, this term is often used by a disciple, prophet, or called person when God asks for them. (Here I am, God, send me.) This gives the image that the man was the god in the situation. The computer was waiting to do the will of the man. Also, there was a mysterious man near the lake who sat by a fire and looked around at the world. This man never spoke or got involved, but was there and observed the situations around him. This man most likely represents God in the director's mind. God is there in the world but he doesn't force himself upon his people. He allows the people to make their own decisions and suffer the consquences. He is constant and seemed interested and concerned, but he did not act. Another interesting symbol is the painting of Mary at the church. After his son died he went to the church to pray or at least seek answers and becomes upset and turns over the prayer candle table. Wax drips down Mary's face and it appears that she is crying with the man. It was a powerful scene and helped portray the depth of his pain.

Overall, this short movie showed that our choices to trust ourselves sometimes put us in bad situations and cause us pain. When people make themselves gods they tend to fail because they cannot control everything and do not know everything. Humans have shortcomings and should not put themselves or any other finite thing above God. It hurts to do things on your own.