I'm a Killer (Polish: Jestem mordercą) is a 2016 Polish crime film directed by Maciej Pieprzyca.[2] It is based on the case of the serial killer Zdzisław Marchwicki.

I'm a Killer
Directed byMaciej Pieprzyca
Written byMaciej Pieprzyca
Produced by
  • Renata Czarnkowska-Listos
  • Maria Golos
Starring
CinematographyPaweł Dyllus
Edited byLeszek Starzyński
Music byBartosz Chajdecki
Production
companies
Release dates
Running time
117 minutes
CountryPoland
LanguagePolish
Box office$578 768[1]

Plot

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The main character of the film, Janusz Jasiński, is a young lieutenant of the Citizens' Militia. As the investigation into the female serial killer is at a standstill so far, Jasinski is appointed the new head of the investigation group. He tries to do everything to seize a life chance and catch a serial killer. After a circumstantial investigation, under the pressure of his superiors, he indicates a suspect in the person of Wiesław Kalicki, who still does not plead guilty. As the trial progresses, Jasiński basked in fame, ignoring testimony that could provide evidence pointing to a possible real murderer. Jasiński's opportunism triumphs over his doubts, and Kalicki is sentenced to death.[3] Soon Jasiński's professional career and personal life collapse. In the last scene, Jasiński attends an exhibition showing the cast face of Kalicki; the reflection of the policeman on the site merges with the image of the alleged murderer.[4]

Cast

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  • Mirosław Haniszewski as Janusz Jasiński, a determined young detective who leads the manhunt for Poland's first official serial killer[5]
  • Arkadiusz Jakubik as Wiesław Kalicki, a labourer who is forced into signing a confession to being a serial killer[5]
  • Agata Kulesza as Lidia Kalicka
  • Magdalena Popławska as Teresa Jasińska
  • Piotr Adamczyk as Aleksander Stępski
  • Karolina Staniec as Anka

Reception

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Deborah Young of The Hollywood Reporter said that the film utilises "quality tech work ... to create a barely colored world of bureaucracy and shadows", describing it as a "classic think piece slipped into an accessible genre".[5]

I'm a Killer has been positively received by critics. The direction of Pieprzyca and the acting of Haniszewski and Jakubik were praised. The film was awarded many times, including the award for directing at the Shanghai International Film Festival and the Silver Lions at the Gdynia Film Festival. At the Polish Film Award I'm a Killer, was nominated in nine categories, but only the supporting roles – Jakubik and Agata Kulesza – received statuettes.

Accolades

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Year Awards ceremony / Film festival Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
2016 Gdynia Film Festival Silver Lions I'm a Killer Won [6]
Best Screenplay Maciej Pieprzyca Won
2017 Polish Film Awards: Eagles Best Supporting Actress Agata Kulesza Won
Best Supporting Actor Arkadiusz Jakubik Won
Cottbus Film Festival Best Director Maciej Pieprzyca Won
Outstanding Actor Mirosław Haniszewski Won
Shanghai International Film Festival Best Director Maciej Pieprzyca Won

References

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  1. ^ "I'm a Killer (2016)". Box Office Mojo.
  2. ^ "I'm a Killer (Jestem mordercą)". Cineuropa. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  3. ^ ""Jestem mordercą" – reż. Maciej Pieprzyca – recenzja i ocena filmu". histmag.org. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
  4. ^ Maciej Pieprzyca (2016). "Jestem mordercą". Next Film. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  5. ^ a b c Young, Deborah (6 July 2017). "'I'm a Killer (Jestem Morderca)': Film Review | Shanghai 2017". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  6. ^ "POLFF: I'M A KILLER". Luna Palace Cinemas. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
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