Essential Killing (2010)

An Afghan POW attempts his escape.

Director:

Jerzy Skolimowski

Writers:

Jerzy Skolimowski (screenplay), Ewa Piaskowska (screenplay)

Stars:

Vincent Gallo, Emmanuelle Seigner, Zach Cohen

14 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vincent Gallo	...	Mohammed
Emmanuelle Seigner	...	Margaret
Zach Cohen	...	American Contractor 1
Iftach Ophir	...	American Contractor 2
Nicolai Cleve Broch	...	Helicopter Pilot 1
Stig Frode Henriksen	...	Helicopter Pilot 2
David L. Price	...	Interrogation Officer (as David Price)
Tracy Spencer Shipp	...	Young Soldier in Suv
Mark Gasperich	...	Head of Pursuit Team
Phillip Goss	...	Military Doctor
Klaudia Kaca	...	Woman on a Bicycle
Dariusz Juzyszyn	...	Logger
Raymond Josey	...	American Soldier
Robert Mazurkiewicz	...	Hunter
Janusz Wojtarowicz	...	Margaret's Husband

Storyline

A Taliban member who lives in Afghanistan is taken captive by the Americans after killing an American soldier and two contractors. He is transferred to Europe for interrogation but manages to escape from his captors and becomes an escaped convict on a continent he does not know.

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Plot Keywords:

ant | assault rifle | bag over head | beard | bearded man | 

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Taglines:

Run to live... kill to survive (UK)

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Genres:

Action | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot in Israel, Norway and director Jerzy Skolimowski's native Poland.

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Goofs

After Mohammed falls in the water he climbs out of the lake. However, in the following scene with the dog he seems dry.

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Connections

Referenced in Na plovárne: Na plovárne s Agnieszkou Holland (2017)

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Soundtracks

Mie Toleruje - Bije
Music written by Rafal Modlinski, Karol Ludew, Piotr Leniewicz and Adam Adamczyk
Performed by Moja Adrenalina

User Reviews

8.5

I saw this film today. While not perfect, it is a very good film. This is about a character that does not want to kill at all, feels horrible about it, but has no other choice. Gallo's performance is his best yet, very convincing and telling. The cinematography is stunning. The music is also quite good, adding more to the tension. (I didn't like the end credits song very much though). It's a very simple story, but it is told well. I appreciate this kind of film, where there is not a great deal of dialogue, just a simple story, good acting, and great photography. I don't need a ton of action, plot twists, subplots, or overindulgent dialogue. So something like Essential Killing is a film I can enjoy. Of course that doesn't mean it's for everyone.

There are a few small weaknesses (I found the ending felt very abrupt - maybe there could have been a way to make it feel less so), but overall I would rate the film an 8.5. It is a compelling, revealing and rewarding experience.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

Poland Norway Ireland Hungary France

Language:

English Polish Arabic

Release Date:

22 October 2010 (Poland)

Also Known As:

Essence

Filming Locations:

Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland

Box Office

Budget:

EUR3,167,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$490,320

Company Credits

Production Co:

Skopia Film, Cylinder Production, Element Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1