Mary Kate Curry: Decalogue: "Thou shalt not kill."

This brief film explores one of man's enduring inheritances--murder (running perpendicular, I feel, to death.). The blood of that first murder, that stain on Cain's hands, has been passed on and repeated time and time again throughout human history ('O, my offence is rank it smells to heaven;It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brother's murder.' "Hamlet" (3.3.40). ) How is such a damning gift rejected? What stops the cycle of killing, what washes hands clean?

What is the point of Jacek murdering the cab driver, a man whom he had never met, nor had any logical reason to harm? But, what then, is the logic in death? Jacek's younger sister was cut down by a tractor driven by a drunken friend. Where is the logic in her death?

Is there reason behind capital punishment? The defense attorney vehemently denies any justification; the death penalty has not proved a deterrent to potential murderers, but in the failed attempt to keep a person alive, it manages to claim yet another life.

If there was no murder, would there no longer be free will? Cain killed Abel because he was jealous, and he acted upon his jealousy. If Jacek was stopped by the God-figure, would that have negated his free choice?

I agree with capital punishment. Not because I believe it deters a future criminal, but because I believe in vengeance, and punishing those who violate the reason of the law.