TELEWIZJA POLSKA presents
a film from the DECALOGUE series
Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill and commit adultery!
Commit adultery and covet...
...a whole week long!
On Sundays, bash your mother, father, sister!
Beat those younger than you and steal...
Because it's all yours. Because it's all yours.
DECALOGUE TEN
Screenplay
He sacrificed his family, his career...
and maybe all feelings...
for his noble passion.
In bidding farewell to our departed colleague,
winner of 11 international gold medals,
world-class exhibitor,
I want to convey...
our deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
Let me pay my last respects.
Farewell!
Well, I'll be damned! He had the door reinforced.
- What the...? - Let me see.
It's a burglar alarm.
- God damn it. Look. - Starved to death.
Fetch me a sieve.
Nailed shut.
But why?
Why all the other precautions?
- You don't remember him? - Hardly.
- How did he air the place? - I don't know.
He probably didn't.
No... I've things to do.
It's only a drop. To our father!
- How much do you think they're worth? - Stamps are valuable just now.
Maybe three or four hundred thousand.
Just think of our misery,
Mother's wasted life...
- Poor food... - Stop it.
He didn't even have a suit to be buried in. I had to give one of mine.
How is it that some people...
are so avid for possessions?
You should know, you like to own things.
I enjoy their use. I like to be comfortable.
I never understood our old man.
It's ages since we met.
Over two years.
Come in.
He collected press cuttings about you.
May I come in?
Yes. What is it?
My name is Bromski. You're one of the sons?
That's right.
It's a business matter.
I know it's not the right moment.
- But business is business. - Go on.
I was a friend of your father's.
He owed me...
220,000.
Zlotys.
I didn't know.
The sum's due in a few days' time.
- The funeral expenses. I know. - That's right.
I could perhaps find...
something here.
It would save the trouble.
Here's my number.
Get in touch. I'll have the money in five days.
Thank you.
I take it you don't want to sell the collection now?
I quite understand. You have your reasons.
In your place I would also...
I'm sorry.
Dad owed him 220,000.
Creditor number one, so far.
Nothing but rags.
He pressed his trousers under the sheet.
What's that?
All about you.
He actually knew my name?
There's this school where they have a weekly stamp market.
Maybe you should try there?
What about our lame visitor?
I don't trust him.
- Your boy's not interested? - He's keen on model planes.
You know what? Then let him have these.
They're balloons, aren't they?
Zeppelins.
It's a series.
Polarfahrt or something. German.
From 1931.
Which one's yours?
That one, first in the road.
Nice. I'll give your little boy one of my records.
He's too young for that.
- See you. - See you.
I'm glad we met again.
I'm sorry I wasn't back on time.
We'll go tomorrow.
I stayed to chat to Artur after the funeral.
I didn't say anything.
He doesn't see patients tomorrow.
The day after, then. I'll give him a ring.
- I'm sorry, really. - I'm not saying anything.
Not saying anything.
Your slippers!
Something to remember your grandfather by.
They're nice.
Your grandfather's dead. Today was the funeral.
You're crying?
No, I cried earlier.
Mother told me over lunch.
A pity about grandfather.
Was your tooth hurting?
No, not really.
I didn't get back in time.
Mother was cross, she yelled all day.
Hello. I was wondering about the value...
about how to sell...
You're Korzen's son?
That's right.
This is a part of his collection, isn't it?
I can sell more, or even all of it.
Please wait a moment.
The chairman would like to have a world with you.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
This way, please.
There are two of you, I believe?
That's right.
Would you mind if we met in your father's apartment?
Of course, I'll give you the address.
I know it.
What are your plans?
We want to sell. We need money.
How much?
Never mind.
I see.
For this one, you could buy a small Polish Fiat.
And for these two - a big foreign car.
This series would buy you a flat.
Do you understand?
Can you tell me how much all this is worth?
Millions and millions.
Your father intended to insure his collection...
for 250 million.
Your father sacrificed his whole life to create this collection.
It would be a crime...
to throw away 30 years of someone's life.
Even if that someone was a father
you hardly knew.
Goodbye.
Fuck!
Quite a surprise...
Hush... Mum's asleep. Were you at work?
I was, in the morning. Later I saw Artur.
Mum tried to get hold of you.
What for?
Their autographs? All of them?
I think so. Artur wrote:
"For Piotrek, for a better future."
Cool, huh?
- What about the zeppelins? - I swapped them.
Look how many he gave me!
Who did you swap them with?
Which one?
The one with the glasses.
Stay put!
I want to make a deal.
At your service!
A discreet one.
What's it all about?
Careful.
- You cheated a kid. - I've a living to make.
He's my son.
Most kids have fathers these days.
Hand over the zeppelins!
I sold them!
Who to?
A stamp dealer in Wspólna Street.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
What I have to say may be awkward for you.
A teenager recently sold you...
...some stamps for 40,000 zlotys.
He'd tricked my son into giving them to him.
I know nothing about that.
Suppose I wanted to buy from you...
a German series called "Polarfahrt"...
from the year 1931.
- You're interested? - Let's say I am.
It's open to discussion.
You mean these?
Yes, these.
They're for sale.
How much?
240,000 zlotys for the series.
That's not expensive.
I'll have to return with a police officer. It's very regrettable.
No problem.
Here's the telephone. Go ahead.
You're not phoning?
I have here a proof of purchase...
...from someone who's now abroad.
He sold them to me for 168,000 zlotys.
Here's my receipt for the tax payment.
And here you have my stamp dealer's licence.
You've just heard your favourite band: City Death!
There'll be an interval now.
- You'll catch cold. - I already have.
The zeppelin business looks bad.
Gangsters...
I'm meeting the guy who's owed money on Sunday.
- 220,000 zlotys. - Exactly.
I've 90,000 put aside for Piotrek's furniture.
But my wife knows about it.
- What will she think? - She suspects me of having an affair.
If I cancel our Sunday outing she'll be sure.
What about you?
I've no cash, I spend it as it comes.
I could sell the amplifier.
- What will you play on? - It's not an instrument.
It cost me 50 dollars, so it should go for 70,000 zlotys.
And the rest of the sum?
Stamps?
I don't know why...
But somehow I don't want us to start selling them.
Until we're in real difficulties.
I agree.
Let them stay put.
Damn you, I thought it was a burglar!
What are you doing here?
Having a look round.
I was here yesterday too.
And I was here this morning.
What's this? Have they kicked you out?
No.
I'm worried about all this.
Is the place really secure?
Somebody ought to be here.
Anyway, I'm registered here.
You're right. I'll be easier in my mind too.
Look what I found.
The only series of this kind in Poland. It's incomplete.
The blue one, the yellow one. The pink one is missing.
Here are father's notes:
"The Austrian Pink Mercury, issued in 1851.
Stolen in 1965. A well-known case.
Surfaced in Kraków, in J.'s collection.
Sold or exchanged in 1968 before J. left Poland.
K.B. says it's in Poland, in the south.
M.W. perhaps? A good chance.
Money not what's wanted, I'm told."
It's full of such notes.
Figures, codes.
I've been trying to figure out what it all means.
The Austrian Pink Mercury...
It would look good with the other two.
Pink.
They could slide along a rope or jump, no problem.
It's only a few metres.
Iron gratings.
On the balcony and on the window.
Father just nailed it shut.
All they had to do was smash the pane.
- Artur... - What?
All my troubles have vanished.
Altogether.
Mine too. I feel like I used to long ago.
When we were kids,
not bothered by adult worries.
Now I feel exactly the same.
While we're sitting here, nothing else matters.
Yes, it helps you forget.
It's childish!
But very pleasant.
Very.
Maybe nothing else really exists?
If you wish hard enough it simply doesn't exist.
I've just had an idea.
Find me a stamp worth 200,000.
The official catalogue value.
- 200,000? - Yes.
No problem. Just give me a moment.
I happened to come across this stamp.
Is it worth anything?
Where did you find it?
At home.
Your home?
Maybe.
It's worth 15,000 zlotys.
I can give you...
three thousand.
Five.
Four.
It's stolen property.
All right, it's a deal.
Here you are.
Thanks.
What are you doing?
Let's see if I got it all down.
It's worth 15,000 zlotys.
I can give you three thousand.
Five.
Four. It's stolen property.
OK, what is it you want?
The three German stamps. Zeppelins, 1931.
I'll give you 4,000 and a brand new cassette.
Sony. Used only once for a brief recording. 90 minutes.
Very clever.
I had this feeling when you came in...
You should have listened to it.
- Yes... Someone came earlier... - My brother.
He wasn't so clever.
He didn't know you.
Is it the stamps you want
...or the money?
The stamps.
I'm beginning to get it.
You're the sons...
Of course.
Who is it?
Jurek!
Just a second.
What's that row?
Wait a sec.
What was that?
A dog. I shut him up in the bathroom.
My key didn't fit.
I changed the lock.
It should be changed from time to time.
- Says who? - Friends who know about this stuff.
Here's your key.
You should have let me know!
I've wasted half a day, ringing the doorbell.
What kind of dog is it? Is he always like that?
I was advised to buy one. Shall I let him out?
Well, OK.
- What if he bites you? - He has to get to know me.
I'm afraid of him myself. Locis!
Locis, down! Stay!
Sit. Sit.
Do something.
That's Jurek. He's a friend.
Jurek. Look what a nice guy.
What about the zeppelins?
They're over there.
Good dog. Stroke him.
Good dog. Sit!
He'll be useful.
On my way here, I met this man father owed money to.
What did he want?
He said he was visiting friends here.
- Did he come here? - No.
Down!
- What do I do? - Give it to him.
- Will he bite? - He won't bite.
He doesn't want it.
Try the other hand.
Good dog. Only left hand. He's accepted you. Now pat him.
Right or left?
You choose.
Who's that?
Good dog! Keep watch!
What a brute!
Maybe I'll sleep over to get him accustomed?
If you like.
Let's have the zeppelins.
The stamp dealer's a real character.
He wants to meet us.
Have you come across any mention...
of the Pink Austrian Mercury?
We have.
Do you know how much that stamp is worth?
We know that there's only one in Poland.
Yes. And I know who has it.
Your father tried to find out but it took him many years.
Although he was very keen...
If you are...
just as keen...
My brother sold his car but we're short of cash.
Money is not involved.
Then what is?
If you don't mind,
I'd like us to meet again to discuss details.
But you'll have to undergo certain medical tests.
- Tests? - Quite routine ones.
Blood group, ESR and urinalysis.
I told you money wasn't involved.
The man who owns the Mercury lives in Tarnów.
The Austrian Pink Mercury!
What is it he wants?
Only two stamps, a short series,
owned by a certain businessman in Szczecin.
And what does he want?
Good question.
Just a small, unimpressive looking stamp.
That we own?
Then what do you need our blood group for?
You don't have it.
- Then who does? - I do, as it happens.
Only you fit the bill.
Why only him?
He has the right blood group.
The Austrian Pink Mercury is worth...
over two million.
But it's not for sale.
Each link in the chain wants something in exchange.
What do you want?
Blood?
No, a kidney.
My 16-year-old daughter is very sick.
I'm looking for someone who'd be willing...
Your father was too old.
I'm to give up a kidney in exchange for a stamp?
In exchange for the 1851 Austrian Pink Mercury!
You've a family, a son, a wife. I know.
It's not that.
It's part of me, a piece of my body!
True, it's your kidney.
If it were mine, I wouldn't hesitate.
I've two and I don't need both.
I know a fellow who's done OK with only one for 20 years.
He can sleep with women, no problem.
Hell...
Think about the girl. She's young. It will count in your favour.
A fine gesture.
Artur.
I'm not trying to talk you into it.
It's your kidney.
But our stamp.
I don't know who!
But I want nothing of you.
And I'll give nothing in return.
He's no good.
I know, but he'll improve.
- You really can't make it? Such a tour! - I can't.
Having girl trouble?
Big trouble.
That's it.
Sorry.
Hello.
Excuse me. I'm...
Aren't you the lead singer from City Death?
Wow!
I'm looking for my brother.
He was to have a kidney removed.
I've seen him. He'll be fine.
Would you let me touch you?
Yeah, sure.
Are you sure there's no danger?
Doctor?
How do you feel?
Not bad. No different from before.
- Did you get it? - You're sure?
- Did you get it or not? - Yeah, I got it.
At last!
How long have you had it?
A week.
Why didn't you come and show it to me? I was waiting.
I was afraid that he'd cheated you or that you'd taken it for yourself.
- I didn't know what happened. - I couldn't do it.
What's the matter?
When you had your operation...
I was waiting here.
Someone broke in.
What?
They took everything. Everything.
And this stupid brute?
They shut him up in the bathroom.
I always said he should be poisoned.
Clear off!
Get down!
Why did you hang around?
You think they couldn't have operated without you?
Does it hurt?
Have you been to the police?
There you are.
My brother. He left hospital today.
- How do you feel? - How can I feel?
You know what happened here?
Pretty thoroughly. I must ask you to come and see us.
Sure.
There was one thing your brother wasn't sure of.
The alarm fitted to the doors and windows was turned off.
From the inside.
I did that.
It was always going off when I was installing the grating.
Well, the window had to be opened.
I thought that the bars would be enough.
I see. Your brother wasn't sure.
Goodbye.
We'll get in touch with you.
If you want to see me earlier, here's my number.
You didn't tell me about the alarm.
I forgot.
Listen... That's all we have left.
Take it.
Why?
It was your kidney.
Besides, I don't want it.
Where are you going?
Not your business. I'm moving out.
I'm going to sing in a club.
Get off my back, I've had enough.
You wanted to see me.
Good morning.
Well then?
I don't know how to put it.
You'll think I'm a bastard.
Never mind what I think.
Maybe you should take a look at...
check up on my brother.
The dog was savage.
But he allowed himself to be shut up.
He claims he was at the hospital all the time.
He was. Partly in the nurses' office.
I don't say that it was him.
But maybe one of his mates. You know that crowd...
Thank you.
You've been very helpful.
I'm sorry I'm late.
You wanted to see me.
You must think I'm crazy.
No, why?
After so many interviews, I suddenly ask you to meet me in a cafe.
It's normal, a matter of discretion.
That's it.
All the time we were talking...
I couldn't bring myself to say...
I'm afraid that my brother might have had something to do with it.
What am I saying?
You said you thought that your brother might be involved in the burglary.
I don't know. Maybe it's just intuition?
One mustn't ignore intuition, you know that.
You've been very helpful.
- They say that in movies. - But it's true.
Thank you.
Yes?
Any new stamps out lately?
A few.
Forty years of Law Enforcement. Two stamps for 60 zlotys.
A stamp with a seal. 30 zlotys.
And a World Wrestling Championships for 20 zlotys.
Give me one of each. How much?
105 zlotys.
I didn't expect to see you here.
I didn't expect you either.
Shut up!
Artur...
I did something pretty mean.
- I thought you... - Me too.
But I told the police you'd done it.
So did I.
Jurek...
What's that?
I was at the post office, so I bought them.
A series.
Cast
Directed by
Director of Photography
Music