An early testament to Kieslowski's unique talent

This early offering from the great Krzysztof Kieslowski is the story of Filip Mosz, a man happy in his work with a loving wife and a new baby. Things are looking good for Filip and he decides to buy a video camera to record his daughter's development. As the only man in town with the right equipment, Filip is ordered to shoot his company's anniversary party. He wins high praise for his film but soon runs into increasingly strict censorship problems and his addiction to making films starts to threaten his marriage.

On the surface this is a film about the creative process under oppression but it touches on so much more. Kieslowski explores the power of cinema from it's ability to comfort and support us, the way it reveals the truth behind the facade and how it can be twisted for propoganda. Kieslowski comments on all this in his superb screenplay which carefully balances a wry sense of humour with moments of genuine pathos.

Essentially, as with all Kieslowski's work, this is a deceptively simple human drama. Jerzy Stuhr(who became a Kieslowski regular) is magnificent in the lead role. Filip is a likeable character hamstrung by his own ambitions and delusions and Stuhr is absorbing throughout.

While it may seem a little flat for those who know Kieslowski from his visually resplendant later works, this is an excellent drama infused with wit and intelligence. To watch it is to experience a young director taking the first steps to greatness.