Decalogue IV

Anka, a college student, is drawn to her father figure Michal in a way that unsettles both of them. The relationship at the heart of the story sits at the edge of conventional boundaries, quietly testing what family and affection mean. When Anka uncovers a sealed letter from her late mother, the past seems to intrude on the present, sharpening the ambiguity around their bond. The letter triggers questions about truth, lineage, and the force of desire, inviting a careful, restrained meditation on duty and personal longing. The drama unfolds through intimate conversations, uneasy silences, and a gaze that cannot pretend nothing is at stake. The film invites viewers to weigh what is right against what they desire.

Directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski, this installment is part of his Dekalog cycle created with Krzysztof Piesiewicz. Originally released as a television feature by Telewizja Polska, it continues the series' contemplative approach to moral questions.

Decalogue IV is widely regarded as a key entry that showcases Kieslowski's spare, precise storytelling and his ability to turn private moral tension into universal questions. The film helped cement the Dekalog as a landmark in television cinema and ethical drama.

Critics praised its restrained performances and quiet, precise direction that foregrounds moral ambiguity over sensationalism. The film probes desire, memory, and the fragile line between family obligations and personal longing, using suggestion rather than explicit revelation to provoke reflection. The performances linger, inviting multiple readings about blame and empathy today.