Almost devoid of dialogue, the thriller is about an Afghani prisoner of war who escaped from a secret detention centre somewhere in Central-Eastern Europe. After his return with “Four Nights with Anna,” Skolimowski once again proves how outstanding a stylist he is and how brilliant a filmmaker. “Essential Killing” is most of all a series of mesmerising images that juxtapose a scorched desert with the snowy extents of cold woodland. Vincent Gallo, who plays the lead, wanders through a strange land that he is just starting to understand and survive in. Lurking and vigilant, he becomes prey. Skolimowski's film gained unexpected topicality, being several years ahead of the news about the secret American prison established in Kiejkuty (Poland).

An article about the director HERE.