Krzysztof Piesiewicz, Polish screenwriter and politician, dies at 80

Krzysztof Piesiewicz, a Polish screenwriter, lawyer and politician best known for his long collaboration with filmmaker Krzysztof Kieślowski, has died at the age of 80, officials said on Thursday.

Krzysztof Piesiewicz, pictured in 2013.

Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell

The death was announced by upper-house Speaker Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, who paid tribute to Piesiewicz as a prominent cultural figure and public servant.

“Very sad news. Krzysztof Piesiewicz—senator, lawyer and filmmaker—has died,” she wrote on social media, offering condolences to his family and loved ones.

Bardzo smutna wiadomość. Nie żyje Krzysztof Piesiewicz, Senator, prawnik i twórca filmowy, współpracujący z Krzysztofem Kieślowskim. Autor scenariuszy, które na trwałe zapisały się w historii kina. Rodzinie i Bliskim składam wyrazy współczucia.
Cześć Jego pamięci.

— Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska (@M_K_Blonska) May 14, 2026

Poland’s Culture Minister Marta Cienkowska also expressed sorrow, noting that the timing of his death coincided with the premiere of a film at the Cannes festival on which he had worked as a script consultant.

Piesiewicz co-wrote scripts for 17 films by Kieślowski, including the acclaimed series Decalogue, as well as The Double Life of Veronique and the Three Colours trilogy. Their collaboration helped shape modern Polish cinema, blending philosophical themes with intimate human stories.

Born in Warsaw in 1945, Piesiewicz trained as a lawyer at the University of Warsaw. During the communist era, he worked as a defence attorney in political trials, representing opposition activists, including members of the Solidarity movement.

In 1985, he served as a legal representative for victims’ families in the trial of security officers accused of the kidnapping and murder of priest Jerzy Popiełuszko.

His partnership with Kieślowski began in the early 1980s after they were introduced by journalist Hanna Krall. Piesiewicz quickly became a key creative collaborator, contributing story ideas and co-writing scripts that earned international recognition.

He received an Academy Award nomination for the screenplay of Three Colours: Red.

Beyond film, Piesiewicz remained active in public life. After the fall of communism, he served five terms in Poland's upper house, the Senate, working on issues related to culture, media and human rights.

He was also involved in various cultural and advisory bodies, including the programme council of Poland’s public television and organisations linked to film and media ethics.

In recent years, he continued to work in cinema, including as an executive producer and script consultant on new international projects.

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Source: IAR, PAP