Dekalog VI

The sixth installment of Dekalog explores the commandment thou shalt not commit adultery. While the Commandment typically refers to breaking a marriage, Dekalog VI challenges that by showing how casual sex and the inability to form genuine emotional bonds can be just as destructive as adultery.

In short, a naive teenager called Tomek spies on a woman called Magda in an adjacent building. Through the lens of his telescope, Tomek falls in love with Magda who has a revolving door of suitors pass through for sex. Tomek frequently calls Magda and breathes into the phone. He interrupts her sexual adventures, in one instance calling in a false gas leak. Tomek also steals her mail. A wee bit creepy, but okay.

Tomek wants to meet Magda, and he takes an extra job delivering milk to her apartment block. Magda goes to the post office to collect a note that Tomek sent her and is accused by the office manager of trying to rob the office by presenting false notes. Magda storms out of the post office; Tomek follows her and confesses to his peeping. She becomes angry.

Further along in the story Tomek he declares his love to Magda. After inquiring as to what he wants from her, which he cannot answer, she accepts a date to have ice cream. Magda brings Tomek to her apartment for a little bit of whoopee but Tomek pops his cork after touching her leg. He then storms home and slits his wrists. A bit extreme. He recovers in the hospital. Tomek and Magda meet again at the post office. He tells her that he isn’t spying anymore. 

Removing the commandment as a throughline, this installment was simply about the nature and consequences of love. Tomek and Magda had different ideas on love. He was young and naive, she was jaded and cynical.