As a self confessed pessimist who didn't like films, Krzysztof Kieslowski thought the camera was 'stupid' and felt he had no talent. Yet he wrote and directed some of the most moving and memorable films of the last twenty years. The Decalogue (1988-90), his series of ten contemporary interpretations of the Ten Commandments for television - two of which, A Short Film About Killing and A Short Film About Love were worldwide theatrical hits - was admired the world over. His celebrated Three Colours trilogy (Blue, 1993, White, 1994 and Red, 1994 ) won him international audiences and Oscar nominations.

In 1994, at the height of his creative powers, Kieslowski stunned lovers of European cinema by announcing his retirement. He had made enough money to keep himself in cigarettes, he said. Two years later he was dead.

What's in this Pocket Essential guide? As well as an introductory essay, each of Krzysztof Kieslowski's films is individually reviewed and analysed, and there is a handy multimedia reference guide.