Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Timeless Movie Pick: A Cinematic Masterpiece
Chiwetel Ejiofor shares the one film he never tires of watching, praising its profound look at human connections and visual storytelling.
Some actors may not always be the headline stars, but their presence in a film often elevates the entire experience. Chiwetel Ejiofor is one of those rare talents. While many recognize him for his Oscar- nominated role in 12 Years a Slave, his career stretches back to early appearances like Steven Spielberg’s Amistad, which he landed just months into his acting studies. Over the years, he’s worked with acclaimed directors in films such as Ridley Scott’s American Gangster, Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men, and Richard Curtis’ Love Actually. His filmography is a testament to his versatility and depth as an actor.
What Inspires Ejiofor Off-Screen
Given his impressive body of work, it ’s only natural to wonder what movies inspire Ejiofor when he’s not on set. While his Letterboxd favorites offer some insight, a revealing interview at the MetFilm school in Manchester shed more light on his personal taste. When asked about his all-time favorite film, Ejiofor admitted his answer changes, but he singled out Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Dekalog for its lasting impact.
“It’s a very beautiful piece of work centered around the Ten Commandments,”
he explained.
“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.”
The Enduring Power of Dekalog
Ejiofor was quick to point out that Dekalog isn’t a single film, but a series of ten, each inspired by one of the Ten Commandments. Kieślowski’s anthology, set in a Polish apartment complex during the 1980s, explores a wide range of themes—love, truth, faith, science, and even murder. Watching the entire series is a commitment, clocking in at 572 minutes, but for those short on time, the extended versions of Dekalog Five and Six—A Short Film About Killing and A Short Film About Love—offer a taste of the director ’s vision.
A Masterpiece Celebrated by Legends
Though it may not be the go-to choice for a lazy Sunday, Dekalog is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in film history. Stanley Kubrick once wrote a foreword for the screenplay’s publication, calling it the only “masterpiece” he could name. Roger Ebert was also a fan, and director Brady Corbet, who won ‘Best Director’ for The Brutalist, described it as
“Maybe the greatest achievement in the history of cinema. ”
For cinephiles, tackling Dekalog might seem daunting, but its influence and acclaim make it a must-see for anyone passionate about film.