An oppressive thriller in which an Islamic fighter (whether he is a member of the Taliban or not is unclear) is captured by the Americans in Afghanistan, after he has killed three US soldiers. He is interrogated and tortured, and finally brought to an unidentified, inhospitable location in Europe. He manages to escape from his guards, and then undertakes a long, perilous journey through a cold, pitiless and hostile land, his persecutors forever snapping at his heels.
Essential Killing won a Special Jury award at the Venice film festival last summer, and lead actor Vincent Gallo (who acts without speaking throughout the entire film) took the Best Actor award. Director Jerzy Skolimowski says he did not set out to make a political film: which explains why the Islamic fighter has no name, and the film’s locations also remain non-specific.
Film details
- Countries of production
- Hungary, Ireland, Norway, Poland
- Year
- 2010
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2011
- Length
- 83'
- Medium/Format
- 35mm
