Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Enduring Film Obsession: A Cinematic Masterpiece
Chiwetel Ejiofor shares the one film he returns to time and again, revealing a deep admiration for its exploration of human connections and visual storytelling.
There are certain performers who, while not always in the spotlight, consistently deliver memorable turns in some of the most acclaimed productions. Chiwetel Ejiofor is one such figure. Though many recognise him for his Academy Award-nominated role in 12 Years a Slave, his career began well before that, landing a part in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad just months into his acting studies. His filmography also includes appearances in Ridley Scott’s American Gangster, Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men, and Richard Curtis’ Love Actually—the latter perhaps not his proudest moment, but certainly a notable entry.
Given his impressive body of work, it’s only natural to wonder what Ejiofor himself chooses to watch when he’s off duty. While his Letterboxd ‘Four Favourites’ offer some insight, a particularly revealing answer emerged during a conversation with the MetFilm school in Manchester. When asked about his preferred film, Ejiofor admitted that his choice often changes, but he holds a special place for Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Dekalog.
“It’s a very beautiful piece of work centred around the Ten Commandments,”
he remarked.
“It’s set in basically one location and was shot in the 1980s for television. I always look to Dekalog if I am wanting to think about things and get inspired about things like relationship dynamics in film, setting environments, and psychology, and how all that intersects with cinematography. So that’s what I come back to the most.”
Why Dekalog Stands Apart
Ejiofor was quick to acknowledge that his answer might be bending the rules, as Dekalog is technically a series of ten films rather than a single feature. Kieślowski’s anthology, inspired by the Ten Commandments, delves into how these ancient principles resonate in contemporary Polish society. Set within a single housing estate during the 1980s, the collection examines a range of themes—intimacy, honesty, belief, science, and even crime—across its ten episodes. For those with the stamina, the entire series runs to 572 minutes, though the extended versions of episodes five and six, known as A Short Film About Killing and A Short Film About Love, offer a more manageable introduction.
A Lasting Legacy in World Cinema
While it may not be the obvious choice for a relaxed Sunday, Dekalog is widely regarded as a landmark in the history of the medium. Stanley Kubrick himself contributed a foreword to the published script, calling it the only “masterpiece” that came to mind. Roger Ebert was also among its admirers, and Brady Corbet, who won ‘Best Director’ for The Brutalist, described it as
“Maybe the greatest achievement in the history of cinema.”
For many aspiring film enthusiasts, tackling Dekalog can seem a daunting prospect, but the chorus of praise from such influential voices suggests it is well worth the effort.