A frequent guest at the New York Film Festival, Krzysztof Kieslowski was an extraordinarily warm person, with a wonderfully sly wit — not to mention one of the major filmmakers of our time. To celebrate Kieslowski’s remarkable artistry, we present this almost-complete (three short works were unavailable) retrospective of his work, including everything from his impressive student shorts to his final, luminous Three Colors trilogy set in Paris, Warsaw and Geneva. Named after the three hues of the French flag, The Three Colors Trilogy, was his ironic and mysterious meditation on the three ideals of the French revolution: liberty, equality and fraternity.

It’s hard to believe that 10 years have passed since Kieslowski died in Poland, at the age of 54. The moment is perhaps etched even more deeply for those of us at the Film Society: Kieslowski passed away while we were in the midst of screening The Decalogue. A set of ten modern moral stories that can be said to be inspired by the Ten Commandments, The Decalogue [1988] stories play out in the same Warsaw apartment block and upon occasion characters — and even plot details — from one episode turns up in another. Each commandment is a separate film that can be appreciated on its own. Yet for the full effect —and to feel the true measure of Kieslowski’s genius — try to see them all!

This series offers a unique opportunity to follow an artist moving from what might be considered “studies,” then to sketches, and then finally to fully realized portraits. Taken as a whole, the body of Kieslowski’s work also provides a revealing chronicle of 30 turbulent years in the history of Poland. Ten years after his tragic death, Kieslowski’s films look better than ever, and his films continue to inspire filmmakers the world over. Join us for this unique opportunity to commemorate, to celebrate — and to enjoy — the great achievement of Krzysztof Kieslowski.