Original subtitles

Marta, where are the towels?

Where d'ya think? In the wardrobe, in the kids' room.

-Where in the kids' room? -Down on the shelf, you'll see it.

Gosia.

Jesus Christ. Gosia!

Gosia, Gosia!

Gosia.

Christ…

Marta, come quick!

Not yet, I'm afraid.

Remember the Doctor…

The Doctor mentioned that…

because of the lead, kids might have problems with their hearing…

and kidneys, and…

and potentially…

and potentially die.

No, but children don't work in the metal works, so…

So there's no way she can be right, Kazimierz, yeah?

Kazimierz!

Kazimierz, say something.

LEAD CHILDREN

A SERIES INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS

A metalworker's job, apart from the heat and the noise,

also involves noxious fumes.

The management of the Szopienice metal works

has addressed this issue

by introducing relaxation oases on their production floors.

And even though there are no palm trees or camels here,

in an oasis like this each metalworker can find a moment of respite,

a chance to rebuild their strength and sooth their nerves.

These fountains weren't built to decorate the production floor,

but to improve the metalworkers' well-being.

No wonder, then, that they joyfully return to their workstations

and exceed successive production quotas for zinc and lead.

And when your health is failing,

you definitely have to go to the Ustroń sanatorium.

Here, you can take brine baths

and admire the views.

Naturally, we mean the mountain views.

-Did you take my pen? -I didn't take anything.

-You know I left it… -What is it?

I told you…

Would you believe me if I told you…

-I told you not to take my stuff! -Shush kids!

How long until they grow up and leave?

So, what is it?

Would you believe that I went to Professor Berger's clinic

and petitioned her to let me use the children's results

as material for my doctorate?

-And what did she say? -It's going to be a lot of work, but… yes.

So, you're ploughing on?

I am not "ploughing on".

Mr. Medical Director doesn't like someone showing appreciation for what I'm doing.

Jola, You'll do all those tests, and if anything negative happens,

she'll deny she ever had anything to do with it.

You think I should back out?

No, but you should accept the proposition to move to another clinic,

and find a new topic for your doctoral thesis.

Well how about you drop your job in urology and become a dentist!

Jola!

Knock, please.

I've already apologised to you, Doctor, but somehow you're still angry.

I suppose you think I'm the one who ruined the blood samples

and was writing denunciations about you.

Did you denounce me?

Well… some years ago a guy who worked for the passport office

told me to disclose what goes on here.

But I am no Judas or informant.

And I haven't gotten a passport since.

So, you're not informing?

-Mrs. Kurek! -I'm coming!

Come in here!

Our doctor over there thinks that I denounced her.

Uh…

Look, Doctor…

In all honesty, it was me.

-Did you have to? -She blamed me.

-You've gone and stabbed me in the back. -Please do not get upset.

Goodness! How could I not be, Doctor?

I had to inform on you. It's all because of my man.

He's militia. It was because I was told to denounce you.

Starting today… I will be informing. Okay?

But…

How are you… Do you plan to write your own denunciations?

Yeah.

So onwards of today, girls, I need discretion on what goes on here.

-Not a single word to your husband. -Yeah, hmm, oh, yeah.

And do you know… I make spelling mistakes.

Spelling mistakes are welcome.

Now, you two girls, time to get back to it!

Hello.

My father and the Governor fought in the Uprisings in Silesia.

They were in the same unit.

So all the cases exceeded the normal amount by 400 percent.

That's fourteen cases total.

They brought number fifteen into us last night.

-Did you bring the children's charts? -Yep, here you go.

All right.

I'll write a referral to my clinic.

Keep them there… I suppose a week, two weeks…

So they can breathe some healthy hospital air.

What's the next step then?

The next step?

No more sneaking around.

I task you with doing health checkups across Szopienice.

And that means every child in the area must also do a contamination test.

They won't come, I'm not popular with them.

Tell them it's mandatory, they'll have to come then.

But not one word about the metal works and poisoning.

Nothing.

We don't have more delta acid,

and the sanitary inspectorate won't give it to us.

Right…

And I don't have enough at the clinic.

Do you have any good connections with anyone?

-Good afternoon. -Good afternoon.

Sorry to bother you.

My name is Jolanta Wadowska-Król and I'm the district doctor.

Your address was on your patient card--

My son isn't here right now, if you want to examine him.

No! I'm here for your husband.

-Hm, good afternoon. -Good afternoon.

-I'll head out for a while, Danusia. -Of course.

Please.

No, thank you.

You offered to help, so I took the liberty of coming to see you.

Well, it's brilliant that you did.

How can I help you?

I'd like to keep testing,

but I'm all out of delta-aminolevulinic acid.

Delta…?

I'm sorry.

Maybe you could write down the name?

Let's assume I can get you the acid. Will that be enough to cure the children?

Mm, if it turns out the kids are sick,

the only cure would be moving those children away from Szopienice.

There is no other cure?

No, but for their bodies to recover, they should pee,

and drink water to flush the lead out.

Getting the children out of Szopienice is an ambitious plan, but…

It won't be easily done.

I'll be honest, it can't be done quietly without some help from upstairs.

We would need sanatoriums, we'd need buses.

Professor Berger will help me with them.

To organise buses?

You need someone in politics.

What about Governor Ziętek?

Mm.

The governor, yeah, alright.

The man has the resources.

It could be a good plan.

But I need to have the delta acid. Before we do anything.

In this country, you can't get anything done without connections, right?

And how about the transfer? What did you decide?

If you can get me that acid, then I'll be able to treat the children

and I'll stay in Szopienice.

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that…

I have greatly sinned in my thoughts,

in my words, in what I have done

and in what I have failed to do.

Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.

Kazik!

Hi!

Hi!

You don't look so good.

-I don't look good? -You been hitting the bottle yesterday?

It just kinda happened. Brother-in-law dropped by.

-No lie. -Morning.

Hi.

-Hi, Karol. -Shall we go in?

-Shall we? -Let's go.

Professor Berger's out today.

However, I know, Doctor, you're working with the professor now.

So that's why I called you in.

He's bleeding again!

Karol…

He needs a blood transfusion.

Uh… But I need the professor's consent.

Nurse Basia…

I spoke on the telephone to Professor Berger

and she approved the blood transfusion for Karol, okay?

Yes, ma'am. In that case,

I'll ready the patient for the transfusion.

Thank you.

Comrade Brezhnev doesn't have to see you shoot during the hunt.

All you really need to do is hold the rifle properly.

But I like to, well, you know… …shoot.

How's that whole thing with that… doctor going?

We're getting along pretty nicely.

She's planning to send the children of the workers to sanatoriums.

Don't get too… chummy with her,

because when Ziętek goes down, she will, so to speak, go down with him.

And what about these… sanatoriums?

Well, it's a big operation to move a few hundred kids, and…

Ziętek will either help the doctor, or he won't.

Either way…

we'll play it out so that whatever he chooses, it'll be wrong.

Very nice, Niedziela.

And how will you execute this checkmate?

If Ziętek doesn't help her…

we will tell Comrade Gierek that the…

governor's negligence led to the death of children.

Yes.

And if Ziętek helps her?

Relax. I know the metalworkers.

If some witch wants to take their kids away,

they'll fucking lose their shit.

And then we'll help them raise such hell,

they'll be able to see it from Warsaw.

You know one riot won't take that pig down!

No, after the coastal massacre, Comrade Gierek is afraid of the workers.

We could later spin it as the first stirrings of social unrest.

It might not be a simple plan, so to speak.

But it might just be… a good plan.

Right now, Mycka should petition the doctor to come to the smelter.

Okay then. Right now, Niedziela,

the priority is you telling me what to do to finally shoot this bottle.

I'll show you.

Yeah?

-Aim a little… higher. -Uh-huh.

And a bit longer.

Patience pays off.

Mummy, will you tell me what you did today?

I was busy working at the hospital.

Because there's a boy there who's not well.

Did you treat him?

Yeah. He was in a bad state, so I gave him…

Gave him a transfusion.

Then I sat with him and even sang him that lullaby that you like, you know…

-How old is this boy? -He's your age.

So, when you're not at home with me, you're taking care of that boy, Mummy.

Not always.

-What's the boy's name? -It's Karol.

I hate him.

Przemek.

Everyone around here knows Niedziela is Security Service.

Oh, he reads Mrs. Kurek's denunciations.

But he doesn't hurt anyone really.

And his son…

He's a fine boy.

DELTA ACID

The story with his father is interesting.

Mind you…

You know, I don't know if I mentioned already,

they haven't spoken since Niedziela joined the Security Service.

Doctor… the driver said to pass on this.

Huh!

Looks like we've been given enough acid

to test all the children in Targowisko.

WITH REGARDS. I DID MY PART. HUBERT NIEDZIELA

-And beyond! -Yeah.

Would you put me in touch with the health department manager?

Yeah, right away.

Mind you though, his dad…

Wait, Doctor…

I'm sorry but shouldn't we also examine our kids?

If the kids are poisoned, we have to take them away.

And then you'll transfer to that clinic in Koszutka,

and I'll look for an apartment there.

I turned it down, I'm not transferring.

-But why? You were the one who wanted it. -You wanted it.

Why the hell are you turning down such a good position?

Because this is important, alright?

-Go on then. -Speak.

Well, it's not tragic, because you don't live close to the works.

But your kids' lead levels are above the norm considerably.

Maybe I should test you too since…

Zbyszek!

-I don't want to leave, I can't! -I'm not asking your opinion!

I am telling you you're going. It's settled!

Dad, please talk to her!

Joasia. This isn't about you.

We're all leaving, because the air here's poisonous.

-Joasia, do you? -No!

No, Jola, let it go. Please…

You have gone completely out of your damn mind, girl!

Honey…

I'm sorry for raising my voice at you, but we really must go.

Zbyszek, let's go!

-Hang on, stop the car. -What's wrong now?

-What is it? -Jola…

What's wrong Jola?

I must stay here.

It's my research Zbyszek, I have to finish it.

When you see only what you think is important,

then you miss what's actually significant and end up in trouble.

What trouble?

You still don't comprehend that this is political?

This isn't just going to affect you, but me and our children, too.

Don't be a coward.

How is it that I make it the same way he does, yet it tastes worse?

It's just you and me, little one.

But it'll be okay. We're still gonna have fun.

-Yes? -Good morning.

Doctor Wadowska-Król?

I've come from the Szopienice metal works

to bring you to a meeting with Director Mycka.

I'll wait outside.

Here you go.

Thank you.

Oh, good morning.

Good morning.

Please.

Thank you, sir.

Come in, please. Everyone's waiting.

Good morning.

-Let me make some introductions. -Thank you.

The director of our metal works, Master of Engineering, Roman Markowski,

Master of Engineering Paweł Bogusławski, and engineer Kazimerz Śliwa.

And this is Mrs. Jola from the clinic.

-No, Doctor. -Oh, right, you have a doctorate?

Not yet, but I'm a physician.

Ah, so she's a physician, I apologise, forgive me.

Please, but do take a seat. Please do sit, my dear doctor, alright?

Right there.

We've invited you to the smelter

because it's apparent you'd like to speak to us about children's health in the area.

It's important we assure you

that our smelter is intent on showing full support

of treatment for the children of its employees.

So, how can we help?

I'm here to make you aware that illness in the Targowisko district

has grown exponentially for children, Director.

The metal works isn't aware of its involvement.

I do apologise.

Perhaps we could demonstrate for our guest

how modern the metal works are.

I'd like that.

This way.

At the zinc evaporation station,

the temperature reaches 1,100°C,

so we might have to start to undress!

We'll start with our pride and joy first.

The corrugated sheet rolling mill.

It's the most modern rolling mill in all of Europe.

Soon, Comrade Brezhnev himself will be admiring it.

I'd rather see how the metal works deals with polluted air.

Ah.

Well in that case, let me show you to Mr. Kazimierz's kingdom.

This way, please.

I hope you're not afraid of heights,

because we'll have to do some climbing, I'm afraid.

No, no.

-I'll go first. -Righto.

All right.

This is engineer Jacent.

-Jolanta Wadowska-Król. -Nice to meet you.

-Hello. -That's fine, come this way.

Go ahead. Careful on the stairs.

So, five years ago, we launched new technology,

which we can see here.

Well… Lift it up, gentlemen.

A pneumatic dust extractor.

Perhaps you could stand over there.

'Cause it's about to get dusty.

Go ahead. Come on, gentlemen, faster.

Yes. These are sieve plates with installed filters.

Uh, we have four such plates, and each of those have fifty filters.

As you can easily calculate, that makes two hundred filters.

Now I'll show you how we remove contaminated filters.

We pull out…

the basket, put it aside, of course.

And we pull out the contaminated filter.

It looks like a vacuum cleaner bag.

That's a very good comparison, doctor.

We sweep these small contaminants back into the hole.

It all goes to the chimney anyway.

And now…

…we insert into the hole a new… clean filter.

These are modern and very effective filters

that… stop most of the…

…contaminants.

There we go. Yes, all done.

Let's close it.

You've seen with your own eyes

how Szopienice metal works handles all the contaminated polluted air. So…

Comrade Mycka, may I please have a word?

Please excuse me, ma'am.

I'm coming.

No matter the technology, it's the draft that counts here, yeah?

-What? -The draft.

Basically, if the draft isn't strong enough,

we can't exceed goals for production.

-That's what they expect. -What are you two talking about, huh?

Uh… modern technologies.

Ah, of course.

All right, perhaps this is a good place to conclude our tour today.

And you'd be more than welcome to join some of our metal works employees

for lunch, where you can ask them about anything you like.

Thank you, Mr. Kazimierz.

I raised my two kids on my lonesome.

And three years of unpaid leave, mind you.

And now my kids attend the company nursery.

If the smelter wasn't here…

I wouldn't have made it.

I'm glad the smelters helping you,

but children in the Targowisko district are still getting sick and that's awful.

Kids get sick, 'cause they're kids, they get sick.

Yeah.

I'm telling you that the works care for it's employees and their kids.

I am only saying the pollution--

Don't you understand what it means to us to have the smelter.

Calm down.

A toast to our wonderful guest here.

Gentlemen.

-Come visit us more often, won't you? -Cheers.

Cheers.

Oh…

-Toilets are by the door? -Yes, it's down there on the right.

Please excuse me.

Take it away.

Like I told you, in a smelter, the thing that matters the most is…

Mrs. Jola!

…draft, and the filters…

No, sorry, let's speak about it later.

-Speak later. -Mrs. Jola!

Gosh, half the crew is looking for you!

I was about to take her back, she got lost…

-Yes, thanks very much. -Goodbye.

Well, let's go back then!

Please wait and head to the back of the line.

What's going on here?

The children are here for their check-ups.

I'll start momentarily.

-Good morning. -Good morning.

-I was at the metal works. -And?

Supposedly, it's the draft that matters, is that right?

-I'm not sure. -Good morning.

Doesn't your husband work there?

No, it's my brother-in-law. But he never mentioned the draft.

Do you remember the address of the guy who almost crushed my foot in the door?

-Śliwa? -Yes.

Give us a moment.

Mr. Śliwa, Doctor Wadowska-Król, I would like to talk to you.

Hello there.

PLEASE CONTACT ME

I'll contact her, but in secret. That'll be best.

Przemek. Hi, honey.

Hello?

-Are you there? -Yes.

Will you say something?

Hi.

Could you give Dad the telephone?

Hello.

Hi, honey. When are you coming?

I don't know.

Is there anything wrong?

We'll talk about it at home, not over the phone.

Okay. Bye.

-Everyone's talking about you. -I'm aware.

Saying I'm a nutcase, that I descend on people in their homes,

and claim their precious metal works is poisoning them.

Sometimes, the truth is inconvenient.

And the one who speaks it is held accountable for it all.

Father, they just live by a different truth in this community.

There is no one truth.

What is important is that both sides are listened to.

I saw a line of children in front of the clinic.

The acid you got us has been really helpful.

We're sending the test results to the lab now.

-Good evening. -Hi.

So empty?

Please.

So what about the plan to send the children to sanatoriums?

That entirely depends on the examination results.

But I'm sure you know that from the denunciations.

Hm…

I do, but I would like to know your opinion.

I probably shouldn't but a little won't hurt.

How much do you know about me?

I probably shouldn't answer that, I'm afraid.

And I probably shouldn't be in this bar.

I'm aware you've experienced poverty.

Plus, your family struggled after your father's death.

Everything you've managed to achieve, you've accomplished by yourself.

You speak like you know me well.

I owe everything to myself as well.

What else do you know?

I'm aware that your husband took your kids to his sister in Lublin.

And I'm aware the Herman family are…

friends, and that you like… Marek Grechuta… and dancing.

-You even know about that? -Hm. Yes.

What I don't know, is if you're a good dancer.

Because liking and being good… are not the same.

You've surprised me.

I didn't know a woman of such strong character

could so easily be led.

Excuse me, I have to go.

Thank you.

Look, Professor, I must confess something to you.

I made up that you had approved the transfusion for Karol.

I'm aware.

I'm impressed you made that decision, Jola.

Karol is much better already, but…

Perhaps we should be hopeful.

100% of the children are poisoned.

That's correct, Professor. The children need to be sent away.

I'm sorry, what should we do?

How many can my clinic take in? Ten, fifteen? How many?

-The kids must leave Szopienice. -Leave? That's…

Well, I could visit Governor Ziętek and ask about sanatorium vacancies.

Send away the kids?

-No one's gonna agree to do that. -Why not?

Family's sacred for us Silesians.

And kids should be with their folks.

Then I can arrange it with the parents.

Not a chance. Don't you get it?

Well, don't you get that…

Lead levels in these children's bodies exceed the norm many times over.

-If we don't act, these children will die. -Please Jola, calm yourself.

Governor, once the parents see corpses, it'll be too late to leave.

Thank you.

You still do not get that they've already seen the corpses.

They still don't believe their smelter is poisoning them.

Don't you get that you can't change men

who have lived the same way for hundreds of years.

I don't know how to convince these folks.

But I do know, there isn't a single chance this could be done over night.

Then it's my job to attempt to get it done overnight.

Alright.

I shall call Mycka…

and you can talk to the workers.

Just know…

I'm not doing this for you, but for those children.

Thank you, Governor.

-All right, enough. -Thank you so much. Goodbye.

Please advise her.

Don't mention the smelter.

If she says the metal works is poisoning, they'll chase her out.

Thank you so much, Uncle.

What are they giving me?

I have to choose all the photos for the press myself.

-What is it? -The doctor paid a visit to the smelter.

And today she met with Ziętek to convince him

to help her send the children away to a sanatorium.

And what did the pig say?

He promised to arrange it.

She'll meet with, and try and convince the metalworkers.

I'm a big fan of that.

So after her performance at the works is done,

you'll raise such hell they'll be able to see it from Warsaw?

That would be the plan, Comrade Grudzień.

Since you and I are bringing the pig… Ziętek down…

I would like to witness… complete hell.

-Understood, Niedziela? -Yes, Comrade Secretary.

Sit down lads, yeah?

Kazik, where you off to?

We worked at the smelter together, have a drink with me.

Come on, or I'll arrest one of ya kiddies for publicly littering,

I'll bring him down to the station

and beat him with a rubber truncheon.

How's your daughter doing? She doing better?

Yeah, better. Ta, Hubert.

Right, I must get going. Yeah?

I heard that… you guys applied for passports.

No, yeah, just thought it was time, right?

Because, y'know…

My brother lives in Germany, and once the kid's better… No, thanks…

…we'll go visit.

Yeah.

-You hear about the doctor? -Everyone has.

She'll be talking to the metalworkers

about sending all the kids away from Szopienice.

That's bull, no one's gonna listen to that anyway.

Well, either way, she…

She's after something else.

-Yeah? -First, she carts the kids away.

But what next?

She wants to shut down the smelter. Says it's poisoning.

-What are you saying? -Yeah.

And once they shut it down, where's everyone gonna work?

What are you gonna feed your kids?

Plus after that, the doctor moves to some other clinic,

and you'll be left without a job.

Kazik, I wanna help you.

Do you know why?

Because I don't want you to be an enemy of the Party.

You know full well that the Party doesn't let its enemies go to Germany.

It doesn't let them be engineers.

And it doesn't let their kids go to university.

You get it, don't you, mate?

To your health.

May I go?

We're in a free country.

Director Mycka told you you could speak to the metalworkers?

Yes, because I told him that all Silesian children

would benefit from health trips away.

The smelter could be an example for other factories.

I'd believe that.

He promised to provide buses for the children if I convince the parents.

And how, precisely, do you plan to achieve that?

I would like to rehearse with you.

Dear parents, friends, gentlemen and ladies.

-Okay, it's a little bit official. -Let's move on.:

My name is Jolanta Wadowska-Król,

and I am now a clinic doctor in Szopienice.

As you know, I'm conducting…

Doctor, maybe without your notes.

-From the heart. -Yeah.

Hello, I'm Jolanta Wadowska-Król…

…and I'm a doctor at the local clinic in Szopienice.

As you know, I'm conducting health checks on your children.

It turns out that, quite a few are not as healthy as one would have hope for.

Yeah.

Industrialisation causes pollutants in the Targowisko district,

contaminating your air, water, and your soil.

All, now contaminated, by lead,

which, as you're aware,

is much more hazardous to children than it is to adults.

The test results prove that the situation is very serious and requires

immediate intervention,

and your children should be moved away.

We have already found and acquired the buses,

the sanatoriums are organised,

so it's all been arranged.

Just because they're unwell, you want to send 'em away?

Because of the development of industry children have much lower iron levels here.

If they're unwell, take them to a hospital,

not on their holidays!

This is a conspiracy.

But can't you see, it isn't a holiday.

The children's bodies must be cleansed of toxins.

Hang on, wait!

One moment! The children leave us, then what happens to them?

The kids will get better, then return!

I know what happens next!

She'll try to close down the smelter.

It's not about the kids! This is about the metal works!

If they shut this place down, each of us would be unemployed.

What do you expect us to feed our kids with?

-Just air then? -Well said, Kazimerz!

No, let the Doctor explain it all, alright?

This isn't about the metal works, it's for the good of your children!

They must leave the area!

And then she's gonna fly away to another clinic somewhere, yeah?

We'll be left here without the smelter, and without any jobs going!

-Yeah! -Piss off!

This is our metal works! This is our smelter!

Piss off now! Piss off now!

It's not about that, it's for your kids!

-Look here! -Piss off now!

Piss off now! Piss off now!

Piss off now! Piss off now!

People, let her speak! Just listen to her!

Please, Doctor, just come.

Let's get out of here.

Piss off now! Piss off now!

Zbyszek?

You returned!

What's wrong?

I was supposed to come later, but I can't stop thinking about all this.

-I'll make you something to eat. -Please sit down.

I know I never should have called you a coward.

I'm sorry, Zbyszek.

No, I don't have a problem with you calling me names.

However, I have a problem with what you're doing.

You say the air here is toxic but you're not leaving.

As if you've completely forgotten that you're not just a doctor,

you're also a mother.

It's not just the sick kids who need you to be there for them.

Your own children, too.

Hundreds of children will die if I do nothing, it's my duty.

Your duty is Przemek and Joasia.

And please don't interrupt me, because I'm not done.

Whatever the smelter is doing, that's politics,

and politics in this country is a cesspit.

Call me a coward if you have to, but…

You have no right to force our children to be heroes,

do you understand what I'm talking about?

I don't know what's gotten into you.

There's nothing you can do, don't you get that?

And if you keep ploughing on,

it will not just be you who pays, but Przemek and Joasia.

To me, it's not politics, it's helping children.

I have to help them because nobody else will.

But why you, my love?

It's our car, Jola.

-Get out of here! -Why don't you piss off!

Go!

-Get out! Fuck you! -Piss off!

Get out!

Kazik!

Piss off!

Piss off!

Zbyszek!

THE SERIES WAS INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS

AND THE BOOK BY MICHAŁ JĘDRYKA