Original subtitles

[girl] Is it going to hurt?

When's my mum coming?

[woman 1] Tuesday. Tuesdays and Thursdays are visiting days.

[murmuring continues]

[woman 2] Yeah, thank you.

-Good morning, professor. -Good morning!

-Be nice. -Good morning.

-Hello, professor. -Good morning!

-[Jola] Good morning, professor. -Good morning.

I came to you yesterday evening.

Ah, then…

-Please just wait a moment. -I've waited an hour.

This matter is urgent. The patients have lead poisoning.

-So, please listen to me… -[professor] Hold on.

You come to me, to my clinic…

You ambush me and tell me what my patients need.

And on top of that tell me tall tales about lead?

Their symptoms would improve if they're given delta-aminolevulinic acid.

What gave you the idea to give them that?

Steelworkers get metal poisoning, but it can be diagnosed…

I know perfectly well what the acid is used for.

I'm asking why you want to administer it to children.

It's an occupational smelter's disease. Are the children working there?

No, but so many have classic symptoms of lead poisoning.

It seems you're not quite understanding.

Imagine a doctor comes to your clinic. And which do you belong to?

Oh, the local in Szopienice.

Ah… a doctor from the district clinic enters your clinic

and provides unwanted advice on how to treat your patients.

Look, professor, they all have classic symptoms of lead poisoning.

[door closes]

[emotional music playing]

[knocks on door]

Professor, I've brought you the reports.

Nurse Basia?

Please administer delta acid to the anaemic kids.

Then would you… do a urine test?

[Basia] Of course.

[door opens]

[nurse] Doctor!

You fainted.

I just… I probably should have had some breakfast.

LEAD CHILDREN

A SERIES INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS

[upbeat music playing]

[narrator] Familoks were built around metal works and mines.

They are a primitive relic of the capitalist past,

which, like all bad things, must disappear from the Silesian landscape.

No wonder Silesians are happy to escape to new housing estates.

These estates are the latest trend in our state construction.

While some escape to new apartments, others are happy to escape on vacation.

And on vacation, enjoy some bigos or goulash,

to have enough strength to play some football.

And after a victory, it's nice to cool down,

as the life of Silesians doesn't revolve around just mining and steel working.

Many of our cities offer outdoor swimming pools,

where you can spend the day splashing in the water.

[voices murmuring]

Morning. I put your key in the door.

-Hello. -Hello.

Hello.

-[door opens] -[groans]

-Morning, Doctor. -How come you're cleaning the windows?

I'm just giving them a wipe down so we can see outside.

Would you sit down, please, Wiesia.

I just wanted to clean them.

Do you know if in Szopienice there are any other production facilities,

besides the smelter?

Besides them? Nah. There's nothing else around here.

Why do you ask?

Because we have an epidemic of lead poisoning.

And I think the cause is the metal works.

No, in Silesia, everyone's polluting just a little.

Of course the smelter does as well, but it makes jobs so folks can get on.

But Wiesia, how are they getting on when they're getting unwell?

Where don't people get unwell?

We're born, then we work, we pass away.

Have you considered that they might not know

how much they're polluting?

Hmm…

Is there somebody I could speak to over there?

It'll take a month to reach someone there.

And besides, they're not going to do anything.

I suggest you try another way.

Please, Doctor, the best thing you can do

is treat those kids as well as you're able.

[upbeat music playing]

NON-FERROUS METAL WORKS SZOPIENICE

[Jola] Good morning!

[man] Morning!

My name is Jolanta Wadowska-Król.

I am a doctor from Szopienice district clinic,

and I'd like to speak to the director.

-Sure, which one? -Whoever's the highest up.

Well, that would be the manager, but he's on holiday.

Plus, Mycka from Social Affairs is in charge.

-Then I'll talk to Director Mycka, please. -You have to submit an application then.

I'm afraid I need to speak with him today. It's an urgent matter, you see.

Madam… here at the smelter, we do everything by the book.

Submit your application.

When approved, they'll set a date, and then you can apply for a pass.

Please would you call your director and tell him a doctor's outside.

The metal works is causing lead poisoning in children.

You suppose I can just call him up like that?

You must submit an application…

Please let him know I was here today.

I want to speak about the poisoned children.

Tell him to contact me at the local clinic in Szopienice.

-Good day. -[men mumbling]

[tense music playing]

Comrade Brezhnev and Comrade Gierek will walk down the main avenue,

they'll come here, to our lectern, as you can see over there,

from which Comrade Brezhnev will deliver a prepared speech for twenty minutes.

-After that… -Excuse me. Governor. May I?

Good morning, all.

When I saw the atypical symptoms in the children,

I carried out lead poisoning tests, and I was correct, unfortunately, so…

How many children are sick?

Ah, to find that out we'd have to do a few hundred tests.

Two weeks before the visit from Brezhnev,

you want to test a few hundred kids for lead poisoning?

My Goodness…

So I should forget about it?

[sighs] I'm not saying don't examine them.

But… if you do it, be inconspicuous.

Do it quietly.

Or have someone do it.

If a professor catches on, the truth will come out.

There's one more thing.

-Yes? -And it concerns you.

I've never heard of such high levels of lead in kids.

Really, I mean it's almost like some sort of lead bomb exploded here.

That's terrible…

Professor.

Why do you think it concerns me?

Well, it might…

[Ziętek] It might what?

It might be the smelter doing it.

If you happen to harbour a suspicion,

or are spurred on by hearsay… then I…

[grunts]

I don't want to hear it.

[dramatic music playing]

[dramatic music continues]

[voices murmuring]

-Hello, Wiesia. Hello, Mrs. Kurek. -Hello, Doctor.

-For you. -Thank you.

What's going on today? Is it a holiday? Why is no one here?

Folks are saying you're going around spreading that the smelter poisons, so…

So you're a nutcase.

-And because of that, they won't come. -Yeah.

Ah.

So we'll have less work to do today.

[professor] Good morning.

What do you think about transferring from Szopienice to a clinic somewhere else?

-Hm? -How may I help you, professor?

So we administered some delta acid to the anaemic children

and they all had elevated lead levels.

I went around the hospitals, and… you were right.

In the municipal and interior there are over twenty children.

I asked that they be given delta acid and urine tests.

Professor Berger, Karol Tafis is in the municipal.

I'm worried about him, so would you move him to your clinic?

They won't turn me down.

-Tafis? -[Jola] Yes.

-May I? -[Jola] Yes. Go ahead.

I came to the conclusion

that we should administer more tests to kids in Szopienice

to comprehend the actual scale of the issue.

You'd like to test how many, professor?

I'm thinking fifteen, to begin.

If there are more poisonings though,

the public pool should really be shut,

ban eating home-grown vegetables and playing in sandboxes.

We should speak to someone from the smelter about what's going on.

Miss Jola.

We will not speak to a single person about this.

These tests must be done discreetly.

No in-clinic visits.

Visit their homes for a sample collection

and send the samples to the sanitary inspectorate.

We want to treat children, not play around in politics.

Have you spoken to someone already?

No.

Well.

[sighs] Good.

Thank you so much, professor.

See you later.

[tense music playing]

POLISH UNITED WORKERS' PARTY PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE IN KATOWICE

-Hello. -[man] Hello.

[panting]

Ah! I'm here to see you, Comrade Secretary.

Can we talk a moment?

I need something to eat, Mycka, walk with me,

you know, if that appeals.

All right, Comrade Secretary.

That doctor from the clinic came to the smelter yesterday

and wanted to talk to the management about…

-Poisoning children. -Sh.

Everyone seems to be trying to piss me off this morning!

Just take her out to the woods.

Or why not… just… move her?

What do you think, Mycka?

-[phone ringing] -Um… The Pyrteks, that's their home…

Karol's the most important. His results were the worst.

[woman] Doctor?

Doctor, phone call!

…there's a chimney somewhere around here.

-Please, continue. -[Wiesia] Okay.

[whispers] It's the Health Department for you.

Jolanta Wadowska-Król, can I help?

Today?

All right, of course, I'll be there.

What was that?

The Health Department Director asked to see me.

-So what do we do then? -What we have to.

We pick fifteen children from the neighbourhood and go to them.

-Children! -[children shouting]

You shouldn't be playing here, it's dangerous, okay!?

Kids, listen! It's dangerous!

Just leave them to it.

God bless.

Careful.

[Jola] Girls, go home. Don't play here, it's very unhealthy.

[Wiesia] Let's go, leave it.

[Jola] You better go home. It's not safe here.

[Wiesia] Come on.

Again?

We came to you since it's quicker than you coming to us.

Well, how long d'you need him for?

Mrs. Woźniak, we'll be done before your man's back.

[boy] Will it hurt?

Only a bit, and it's very gentle.

Pump your fist, like that.

Good, now look at your mummy.

Shh, don't worry, Adaś, I'm here.

-[Jola] There. -Ow.

[Jola] All good now. Keep looking at Mummy, okay?

Look at Mummy. A bit longer…

Done. Great job there.

Adaś, now go with your mummy and pee, and you'll get another bubble gum.

Bravo.

[Mrs. Woźniak] Come on.

Brave boy.

[Jola] Uh-huh. Here you go.

Yeah. Now go outside and play some ball with the others, okay? Go.

[door opens]

You're back already, Roman?

-Good afternoon. -[Mrs. Woźniak] You didn't go for a beer?

-What do they want now? -They just came for the boy's pee.

-Do you want some dinner? -You know that woman was by the gate?

Saying that the smelter's making our kids sick.

That's exactly what I was saying because the smelter…

Perhaps we should…

God bless.

Thank you.

Good day.

God bless.

[children laughing]

-Good morning. -Good morning.

Gosia, go get your mummy.

Gosia, go to your room now.

I… thank you… yep…

Look miss, it's vital.

Move your foot.

My wife's already said thank you.

In children, lead poisoning can cause hearing loss,

liver and kidney failure, and sometimes even death.

I asked you to move your foot, now!

Beat it!

Ah!

Why don't we go, Doctor.

Please examine your daughter's gums at least, and check for a black line!

Let's be off. Right, Doctor?

Go play outside, okay?

[emotional music playing]

That was Antek. I was his godmother.

[Wiesia] I told the Doctor.

What did he die of?

Who knows?

One morning at mass,

he just haemorrhaged blood, he was covered in gore.

The priest called an ambulance. They took him, but…

He never woke up.

He was a good boy, Antek.

Wiesia, I'll go visit the priest for a moment.

-Will you be okay on by yourself? -Why wouldn't I be?

[Jola] Thank you.

Doctor? Take care of yourself.

Yes, yes.

[panting]

-[man 1] And our work, yeah. -[men laughing]

What's her problem with our smelter?

-What did she say? -What did she say?

Apparently, we're poisoning our children.

Oh, yeah?

She's a piece of work.

[men laugh]

[man 1] Ooh, she's so fancy.

-Oh no, did your shoes get dirty? -[man 2] Yeah, yeah.

-[man 1] The wind will mess up your hair! -[man 2] Yeah. [laughs]

[steps approaching]

God bless.

God bless. I'm glad you came here, Doctor.

-I may require some help. -Of course.

My altar boy wasn't in today. Probably got sick again.

That's actually why I'm here, Father, because…

I spoke to Mrs. Majer about her nephew Antek who…

who collapsed here a while ago.

It is an understatement to say he collapsed, Doctor.

When I found out he'd died, I didn't want to wash it. [sighs]

I'm not really sure why though.

Blood poured out of his mouth.

Poor little boy then fell in convulsions like it was an epileptic fit.

-What did they say happened? -Well, they said that it was his stomach.

Was there an autopsy?

It's never easy for kids in Targowisko.

Please come with me.

[emotional music playing]

In no single other parish have I ever had so many small graves.

Most of them are from the past year.

LIVED 6 YEARS

LIVED 5 YEARS

LIVED 5 YEARS

LIVED 4 YEARS

[tense music playing]

[steps approaching]

Bon appétit. [sighs]

Doctors won't let me eat fatty foods.

It's just some heart thing. [clears throat] Well, you know…

Cholesterol or such.

Go on… What have you got?

Fresh denunciations.

One of them's very interesting.

"I'd like to kindly inform that Doctor Wadowska is spreading rumours

that our smelter is poisoning people."

[grunts] Mycka mentioned this to me already.

I told him he should get Klepacz from Health Department to transfer her.

[light metallic clatter]

May I suggest something, Comrade Secretary?

This is the Doctor that's supposed to help us with Ziętek.

If the doctor is transferred, the matter subsides.

If Comrade Secretary is thinking about

a change of governor…

then it would be better if the Doctor wasn't transferred.

I'm not going to… change my mind like I can't make a decision.

[Niedziela] No, there's no need for that, Comrade Secretary.

I'll try to stop it.

Mm, why don't you give it a go. What else?

Because of the children, our department is dealing with the doctor, but…

I think it would be better if I was the only one dealing with her.

Well, I'm seeing your Colonel tonight, so I'll speak to him. Okay?

We'll have the assessment results by today.

Good, but when you speak to the sanitary inspectorate,

please remember you're the one ordering the tests, not me. Hmm?

Professor, I was thinking,

since I'll be doing so much research,

maybe I could collect enough material for my doctoral thesis.

You're thinking about a doctorate?

Now's a good time.

The topic hasn't been widely examined, so I suppose…

Maybe I could be your mentor?

Thank you.

[chuckles] So now, paradoxically,

you should be praying for those kids to be sick.

No, I'm not going to pray for that, professor.

I know every day you go to the pool.

As of today, you can't.

-[Joasia] Why? -Because I said so.

What did the health department call you for?

Director Klepacz wants to talk.

So what else do you expect me to do here?

You live in Katowice, it's huge city, don't be dramatic.

It's not Katowice, it's Szopienice.

It's just chimneys, there's no concerts. There's nothing to do.

It has to be something to do with your investigation.

Oh, come on, you're exaggerating. I'll see you at dinner.

All I have here is that pool!

My kindest regards, madam.

-Marek Klepacz. -Jolanta Wadowska-Król.

Please, come in. Some coffee?

No, that's alright.

I'm glad you're here, that you could make the visit.

Uh… Because the matter is pressing.

Two weeks ago, you made a request to be transferred, right?

That is correct.

Isn't that just brilliant because, well…

Because our brand-new clinic in Koszutka needs staffing. Here.

Do you like it?

It looks very impressive.

The building is new, we're opening in a week.

Plus it still… [inhales] …smells of fresh paint.

And the equipment is… modern.

This will be the pride of the province.

If you would be interested… then just sign, please.

[chuckles]

Is this punishment of a kind?

-[laughs] Oh no… -[Jola laughs]

Oh no, what do you mean, Doctor?

How could it be a punishment?

You don't get punished with champagne, huh?

And this… is champagne with caviar.

I must talk it through with my husband.

Right.

Uh… Just please be quick so your place doesn't slip away.

[tense music playing]

Of course, thank you very much.

-Goodbye. -Thank you.

[grunts] Goodbye.

Excuse me, my name is Niedziela.

I believe that we're neighbours in Szopienice.

What do you want?

Could we speak in private?

Please, Doctor.

To avoid any misunderstandings, let me tell you what I do upfront.

I am an officer of the Security Service.

And I wanted to talk about the illness you are dealing with.

Who made you aware of what I'm doing?

-You were denounced, miss. -Please leave.

I have a son.

And I'm aware that children have been getting sick.

-Did your son get sick? -No, fortunately not.

But I want you to keep examining those children, Doctor.

I know that there are some people who really want this matter to die down.

-And who's that? -They're powerful.

I'll say that much.

They will offer you something in return.

A car, an apartment, a job in a better place.

And I'm not saying all this to discourage you.

I want to be clear that you won't be facing this alone, alright?

If you ever have a moment of hesitation whether you should continue,

just please remember that…

I can help you.

Right, so if I'm going to continue treating children

for lead poisoning like you say,

I'm not going to end up in prison for hitting a pedestrian?

I promise to do everything I can

to prevent something like that happening again.

Is that all?

Goodbye.

What's your name?

Niedziela. Hubert Niedziela.

[sighs]

[door unlocks]

Where are you going?

We were gonna go to the square, practise driving.

Look, the situation is that I have plans with the guys, Dad. [chuckles]

How about Saturday? [sighs]

What's the name of this situation, since my car can't compete with her, huh?

Asia.

-[sighs and chuckles] -[chuckles]

Go away.

[Marek] Bye.

[Niedziela] Is the door meant to close itself?

Huh? [sighs]

Hi, everyone. Did you leave anything for me?

I think you have forgotten that in this house, we eat supper together.

[Jola] I didn't forget, Mum.

Well then, did you forget to do the children's homework with them?

I don't mean did you… just forget that now.

You forgot this is something you should be doing with them always.

[sighs]

I love these children, but…

It's you who's their mother.

Mum, working late doesn't make me a bad parent.

Some things in life are more important.

You know, it doesn't matter if it's war, or work. Family comes first.

-Thank you, Mum. -[door opens]

[Joasia] I'm going to take out the rubbish.

[Marek] Wait, don't jump, I'll help you.

-[Joasia] Okay, take this. -Yeah, sure.

-Take my hand. -[Joasia grunts]

[giggles]

So, wanna see who can hold their breath longest underwater?

You! [laughs]

[both giggle]

I win!

[soft upbeat song in Polish playing]

-What is it then? -[sighs]

-What? -[scoffs]

Something's niggling at you, I know it.

Klepacz proposed that he move me over to a brand-new clinic in Koszutka.

To the best district? So when are you transferring?

-[sighs] -Hm?

Well, I'll consider the offer…

Jola, there's nothing to consider, is there?

You'd be able to finally get your doctorate.

I could do it here.

You mustn't do it on those sick kids.

-But it's a good subject. -I know, it's not that.

My love, do you think that proposition today was a coincidence?

Jola, please.

Please transfer. If not for me, then for Przemek and Joasia.

Where is Joasia?

Of late, when she's gone to take out the rubbish,

she's come back with very wet hair…

So I'm guessing the pool.

-Jola. -[door opens]

[water splashing]

You won!

[both chuckle]

[emotional music playing]

[Joasia gasps]

-What are you up to? -Look, I was just…

Do you have any idea the danger you put yourself in?

I begged you to stop swimming in the pool, but you must always have your way!

What's that look about?

Because I thought you'd be mad

'cause we were naked, and the two of us were alone, and he…

Oh honey, you're so young.

Enjoy life as much as possible. Love is beautiful.

It's also worth being mindful of things…

-Mum! -Oh, "Mum".

[car engine roaring softly]

So you're not mad at me anymore?

[Jola] I'm mad that you were splashing around in that pool,

even though I asked you not to!

[Zbyszek] Jola, the whole neighbourhood can hear you.

The rest can stay our little secret. [chuckles]

[woman] So, the professor called Ziętek.

She said the Doctor would be doing some kind of… tests.

Hm. And what did Ziętek say?

He said that it won't stay hidden for long.

For now, that's how it has to be.

Because this whole palaver is a…

a massive rotten egg? Or… along those lines.

[Niedziela sighs]

Is that bad?

No, everything's fine.

I believe you need to go, right?

Go on, go away.

You!

Hm…

[steps moving away]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[dial tone humming]

Hm…

[phone beeps]

Jaroszek, might we have a mole at the sanitary inspectorate?

[upbeat music playing]

I'm gonna need him.

Wiesia, is something wrong?

What's going on?

[inhales deeply]

I don't know…

I don't know how to say this.

With your words. One after another.

So the sanitary inspectorate called.

All the samples were contaminated.

All of them? That can't be right.

And that's what I told them.

And they said that…

because we wasted so much of their… delta-acid or something…

We won't get any more because there's a shortage.

[Jola sighs]

Give me the keys to the treatment room, Wiesia.

If you need me at all, you come and get me. Okay?

[tense music playing]

[children laughing and shouting]

Mrs. Woźniak, the samples got mixed up, you have to let me in.

See, didn't even hurt.

Good job. Yes, great. Great.

Super job, well done.

Yeah, doing super.

-Good work, brilliant. -[whispers] Ow…

There. Off you go, bravo.

Go on.

[Jola] Very good. Brave boy. Very brave.

We just need to push it in calmly.

Bravo.

-Good job. -Mrs. Majer.

Oh, yeah. Come on.

Don't be afraid kitten, you'll be good.

[Jola] Yes. Very nice, beautiful.

Done.

Super. Well done.

Thank you, Mrs. Pyrtek.

[equipment clanging]

[panting]

[panting]

[male voices murmuring]

[man 1] Boys, look who it is.

[man 2] Why is she going around back and forth?

Scaring the kids. Won't let them play outside.

[man 1] Says the metal works pollute.

[man 2] Maybe she wants them to close our metal works, yeah?

Get outta here!

[screams]

[men laughing]

[man 1] Where are you going now, love?

No, not that way.

[men laugh and cheer]

Get out!

Piss off! [laughs]

[grunts]

[breathing shakily]

[men mocking and laughing]

Yeah, go on!

Come on!

Who's a big woman now? [laughs]

Go all the way.

[car engine roaring]

Get in.

Give me the bottle.

And piss off home now.

-Lads, it's home time. -[man 1] Come on mate…

[Niedziela] Are you deaf?

-[glass shatters] -Get the fuck out of here, now!

Okay, we're going, yeah.

-Come, let's go home. -Yeah.

[car engine starts]

[sobbing]

They're a primitive bunch.

They don't understand someone wants to help them.

Perhaps I should give up and just run away.

[sobbing softly]

Okay, but what about the kids?

-I can wait for you if you want? -I'll manage, thank you.

You won't let this go, will you?

-[Jola panting heavily] -[eerie music playing]

[breathes shakily]

RESTROOM

I brought them to you, Adam,

because the inspectorate on Grunwaldzka Street

contaminated my samples.

Oh.

[upbeat Polish song playing]

Hm, that's odd, they work for the Ministry of the Interior Hospital.

I'm surprised they don't know how to do it. Hmm…

[Jola] I'm giving you mine too, because I'm not feeling well.

Leave it, I'll take care of it. Drop by tomorrow.

Adam, I'd rather wait.

[Adam] Hm?

Alright.

I'll get right on it.

-Thank you, you're a darling. -Take a seat.

[door closes]

[sighs]

[gasps]

-[Jola] I'm sorry. -It's okay, don't worry.

Uh… well. Do you want the bad news, or the good news first?

[Jola] Give me the bad news.

Uh, thirteen out of thirteen samples

have exceeded lead level norms by as much as 400 percent.

Thirteen out of thirteen?

But all of them were randomly selected.

That means I must examine all the kids living by the smelter.

-Do you want the bit of good news? -Yes, please.

You're pregnant.

I'm sorry, I'm what?

You're pregnant!

-Congratulations. [chuckles] -[eerie music playing]

[breathes shakily]

[eerie music builds]

THIS SERIES WAS INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS

AND BY MICHAŁ JĘDRYKA'S BOOK "OŁOWIANE DZIECI. ZAPOMNIANA EPIDEMIA"