Love and Sex Separated—Dekalog: Nine (1988)

By Criteria: The Catholic Film Podcast ( bio - articles - email ) | Nov 12, 2021 | In Criteria: The Catholic Film Podcast

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After being diagnosed with permanent impotence, a husband begins to suspect his wife is having an affair. This is the ninth installment of Kieslowski’s Dekalog, a Polish film series inspired by the Ten Commandments.

The writers of this series yet again return to the theme of weak husbands and fathers failing to claim their rights and therefore to fulfil their duties —in this case, a husband who does not protect the exclusive fidelity of the marriage bond.

But central to the episode is the question of whether love and sex can be separated in marriage —as well as sex and procreation. It suggests that when a married couple chooses not to have children, the door is opened to other kinds of selfishness as well.

Links

Dekalog 50% off at Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-dekalog/35930490?ean=0715515185615

Pius XI, Casti Connubii audiobook https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/pope-pius-xi-casti-connubii-on-christian-marriage-pt-1/

Music is The Duskwhales, “Take It Back”, used with permission. https://theduskwhales.bandcamp.com/