Return of a Masterpiece Polish Director Kieslowskiís Stunning ëDecalogueí Comes to Area by Ky N. Nguyen Itís a special pleasure to review international cinema in Washington, where some of my favorite films of all time are re-released now and then. Actually, the late Polish auteur Krzysztof Kieslowskiís legendary ìThe Decalogueî (originally a 10-part Polish television mini-series) has never been theatrically released in Washington. Itís only been screened a few times at Filmfest DC and the National Gallery of Artówhere Iíve never seen lines so longóbut now itís beginning a run at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, Md. When I saw ìThe Decalogueî at Filmfest DC in 1995, I walked out of each screening simply stunned at the emotional impact that the episode had made on me. I was awakened to the power of cinema, compelling me to view more and more repertory screeningsóeventually leading me to my career in film criticism. Set in a Warsaw housing project, each segment of ìThe Decalogueî is loosely based on one of the Ten Commandments. Kieslowskiís humanistic touch is in play as he deftly explores matters of morality, the meaning of life, choice and fate. There are common characters among the episodes, demonstrating how far-flung people intersect with each othersí lives. Two episodes were later expanded into feature length films. Kieslowski co-wrote each script with his usual writing partner, Krzysztof Piesiewicz. Another long-term collaborator, Zbigniew Preisner, composed the haunting score. Different cinematographers photographed the distinctive episodes, none of which looks made for television. ìThe Decalogue (Dekalog)î (Polish with subtitles; 10 episodes, each 58 min.) opens Fri., Jan. 9 at the AFI Silver Theatre. Witness the Revolution Forget all the fuss over ìSaving Private Ryan.î When I saw ìThe Battle of Algiersî years ago at AFIís Kennedy Center Theater, I was blown away by its remarkable and thrilling realism. It really felt like I was there witnessing the revolution, considered the bloodiest in modern times. The landmark film chronicles the war for Algerian independence from the French. After being defeated in Vietnam, the French foreign legion is determined to stand firm against the latest colonial insurgents. Although commissioned by the government of Algeria, director Gillo Pontecorvo maintains reasonable balance, looking at the war from both sides. The French are seen employing torture while the Algerians resort to terrorist actions. ìThe Battle of Algiers (La Bataille díAlger)î (French and Arabic with subtitles; 123 min.) opens Fri., Jan. 9 at the opening night of Landmarkís E Street Cinema. Remembrance of Things Past Canadian director Denys Arcandís ìThe Barbarian Invasionsî combines the personal story of a dying man with humor and social commentary. Arcandís wry script is clever in discussing human history, relationships, friendships and whatís important in life. RÈmy (RÈmy Girard), a history professor and ladiesí man, is joined by his family and friends from around the world on his deathbed. Estranged son SÈbastien (StÈphane Rousseau), with a successful career in finance, takes the initiative to make RÈmy as comfortable as possible. The characters from ìThe Decline of the American Empireî are reunited in the uniformly excellent cast. Against the veterans, newcomers Rousseau and Marie-JosÈe Croze (as Nathalie, a junkie) hold their own. Croze won the Best Actress prize at Cannes. ìThe Barbarian Invasions (Les Invasions Barbares)î (French with subtitles; 99 min.) is now playing at Cinema Arts and Landmarkís Bethesda Row. American Dream ìHouse of Sand and Fogî is an emotionally stirring account of the difficult pursuit of the American dream in todayís multicultural Los Angeles. Ukrainian-born Canadian writer-director Vadim Perelmanís crisp screenplay is adapted from Andre Dubus IIIís novel. Col. Behrani (Ben Kingsley) is a proud immigrant who is a former officer in the Iranian Army. He has spent much of his savings to marry off his daughter to a good family. He then purchases a foreclosed house, setting off a bitter ownership dispute with its previous owneróan unemployed housekeeper (Jennifer Connelly)óand a police officer (Ron Eldard) who comes to her aid. The story benefits from powerful acting by the ensemble, particularly Kingsley, Connelly, Eldard and famous Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo (as Behraniís wife Nadi). ìHouse of Sand and Fogî (English; 126 min.) is now playing at area theaters, including Cinema Arts and Landmarkís Bethesda Row. Repertory Notes In January, a retrospective of Danish filmmakersóincluding a series on international bad boy director Lars von Trierótakes place at the National Gallery of Art. ((202) 842-6799, www.nga.gov/programs/film.htm) The American Film Institute (AFI) Silver Theatre runs a retrospective of Australian actress Nicole Kidman. Master Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowskiís famed miniseries, ìThe Decalogue,î and his last script, ìThe Big Animal,î receive their premiere Washington releases. In addition, audiences will have a chance to revisit the ìThree Colorsî trilogy that cemented Kieslowskiís fame: ìBlue,î ìWhiteî and ìRed.î ((301) 495-6700, www.afi.com/Silver) Landmarkís long-awaited E Street Cinema opens on Fri., Jan. 9 with ìThe Battle of Algiersî and ìGirl With a Pearl Earring,î among other specialty films. Itís located at 555 11th St., NW. (www.landmarktheatres.com) Ky N. Nguyen is the film reviewer for The Washington Diplomat.