A NETFLIX SERIES
THIS SERIES IS AN ARTISTIC VISION OF THE CREATORS, INSPIRED BY REAL EVENTS.
ALL CHARACTERS HAVE BEEN CREATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE STORY.
25 MAY 1997, WROCŁAW
The city I am the Mayor of will be visited by Pope John Paul II,
which fills me with great pride.
I agree.
Do we know the exact schedule of the visit?
We want to greet the Pope in a unique way.
I hope the weather will be good
and things will work out just fine.
We've been working on the schedule for over a year.
I expect it to be a big celebration for our city.
Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Thank you.
"URGENT: FLOOD ANALYSIS BY J. TREMER, M.SC."
…the popemobile will take this route.
1200 policemen, soldiers, civil defence…
I guess that's enough for the Pope.
Also…
May I?
Please, continue, Colonel.
Thank you, Gov. We'll secure it by means of cordons.
Special Ops in plain clothes will join the crowd.
-Correct, Chief Talarek? -We'll send our best men.
There's only one weak spot.
The road is narrowed by the Szczytnicki Weir.
There are works on the river bank.
We'll need to close this section for onlookers.
Then we will.
Talking about the Weir, are we prepared for the flood?
What flood?
We're having a dry spell.
Who wrote that?
Tremer?
Who's this guy?
SIX WEEKS LATER
TUESDAY, 8 JULY 1997, ŻUŁAWY WETLANDS
Moja! Moja!
Fuck!
Back, back…
Back.
Damn good eyesight!
Nice piece, eh?
Why so sad, miss? They need to be shot.
Shoot your own dick.
What did you say?
-She was with her kid. It's on you. -You're nuts!
I'm fucked up as hell. Papers!
-What papers? -Your hunter's ID.
What ID?!
-Don't touch me… -That bloody ID!
Come! Moja, Rascal!
Rascal!
I've brought the newspapers.
I'm sick of this bike…
You piece of junk.
How's it going?
We have to go to town today.
I'm running out of methadone.
Why are you still taking it?
"THE MILLENNIUM FLOOD?"
You don't need it anymore.
Cut it out, will you?
You shouldn't have talked me into this rubbish.
It's the best thing I've ever done.
Plus, you don't want me
to be as bitchy as my mother.
If she's bitchier than you,
it's good I haven't met her.
Same to you!
So much smoke.
What about your home smoker? The whole Żuławy stinks!
Who's this?
An idiot who shot a hind.
She was with a little fawn.
-Is that why you're so mad? -Yes.
Why don't we make a little fawn today?
I haven't showered yet.
That's why you turn me on.
Name!
Your name!
Van Hoek. Arjen Van Hoek!
Van Hoek?
I'm looking for a man called Tremer!
It's me!
I'm Tremer!
-You? -Yeah!
Then you have to come with us.
-With them? -Calm down, Arjen.
What are you doing?
I have to help them.
Van Hoek shouldn't get angry. Miss will be home soon.
Let's go!
I saw Van Hoek's home smoker.
Where did he learn that? Not in his country, eh?
-Why not? -They have no forests.
Nothing to smoke fish with.
Are you afraid of flying?
The flight itself isn't scary.
Landings are the worst.
That's true.
Lt. Col. Macioszek, my deputy.
Hi.
Get in, please.
Take the back seat.
-Are they going to the flooded area? -Nah! NATO exercises.
-And the sandbags? -To strengthen trenches.
From the Holy Father.
He paid us a visit at the beginning of June.
You wouldn't believe how humble he is, ma'am.
It was pouring with rain, right, Macioszek?
Yes, sir!
He kept standing there, in his hat with a tassel,
listening to our brass band,
not to hurt anyone's feelings.
Are you a believer, ma'am?
Not really.
-You've been away for long, eh? -Yeah.
Big changes.
CLOUDLESS FUTURE FOR POLAND JAKUB MARCZAK
Why so late? Everyone's here.
I wanted to show the city to Ms. Tremer.
She's not on a sightseeing trip.
-Hello. -Hey.
Safety is understandable.
But the 20th floor? That's extreme.
Your HQ is located next to a TV station?
Hence the 20th floor.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
MERKURY TELEVISION
Hello!
Hello, everyone!
This is Ms. Tremer.
Please meet Dr. Sławomir Góra.
Responsible for the Wrocław Specialist Hospital.
Hello.
This is Police Chief Andrzej Talarek.
And this is
…our HQ assistant, Maja Kruk.
-Hi. -Take a seat, please.
You've already met Col. Czacki and Lt. Col. Macioszek.
These are our hydrology experts.
Professor Jan Nowak.
I'm the Head of the Hydrogeology Department.
This is Dr. Piepka.
I was against bothering you.
We're coping quite well here.
-We don't really need any support. -Right…
Have you heard about Prof. Nowak's latest study?
"The regulation of rivers in their lower course."
An epoch-making work in terms of flood control methods.
But Wrocław is located in the middle course of the river.
Chief Firefighter Kolski will join us later.
And we're waiting for the Mayor.
-And you, Mr. Marczak? -What about me?
What's your role here?
I'm acting Provincial Governor.
Where's the actual Governor?
In the USA. Handling contracts for the province.
Perfect timing.
You studied in Utrecht, didn't you?
A Ph.D.?
Without a post-doc degree, I suppose?
Because you seem too young.
Correct.
I prefer fieldwork to theoretical research.
And why the Netherlands?
What didn't you like about Poland?
There are no coffee shops.
-What? -No coffee shops!
Good afternoon!
Sorry I'm late.
"Well, nobody's perfect."
Mr. Mayor, this is Ms. Tremer.
The fax message you sent gave me a heart attack.
I only draw conclusions from various sources.
Mr. Marczak told me a lot about you.
He couldn't stop praising me, right?
Yes, exactly.
Let's start. We're running out of time.
Professor, any new data?
My calculations suggest that Wrocław can sleep peacefully.
Last night, Kłodzko was flooded.
Floods hit Kłodzko at least once a decade.
-It's nothing unusual. -Still, water is coming to Wrocław.
-Kłodzko is not Wrocław. -That's even worse.
Why?
Kłodzko is hit by mountain floods.
Water violently enters the city, but it quickly leaves.
Here, if the river overflows its banks,
the water won't flow away.
There won't be an overflow in Wrocław.
Do we know today's water levels?
The alarm levels are slightly exceeded.
Not so slightly: by several centimetres.
How many exactly?
Slightly.
Your flood management protocol…
Which point are we at?
Let me explain it. We're at Point One.
We've raised the locks and cleared the weirs.
We're releasing water in Gierżoniów.
And this is your final answer to the flood?
The protocol was prepared by Prof. Teuffel, a giant of hydrology.
Cool. In the 1960s.
You keep undermining everything.
Everyone, please!
We all care about the same thing: the safety of our city.
The gentlemen don't agree on how the flood wave will hit Wrocław.
That's why you've been invited to consult on this.
It will hit Wrocław quite badly.
Can you give me a precise answer?
Which hospitals are in danger?
I can't give you a precise answer without a model.
Once I prepare it, I'll answer your questions.
Can your model dispel doubts once and for all?
This is a powerful force we're facing.
So it's impossible to provide unambiguous answers.
We've actually known the Oder
only for fifty years.
So you won't give us any answers?
Do I understand it correctly?
I'll give you an answer. But more than one.
Still, we'd like to order this model from you, Ms. Tremer.
Fine. I need data from you.
The flow capacity of river beds.
The speed of the Oder.
Most of all, I need the most current maps.
Then the model will be precise.
Thank you.
-We'll provide all the data, right? -Yes, sir.
I'll measure a few things myself.
What about the reservoir in Gierżoniów?
-What's wrong? -Water must be released.
It was to be happening right now.
Yeah, but the reservoir's manager is kind of sluggish.
He refused to let my people inside.
I'll handle it myself, Mr. Mayor.
Goodbye!
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Gentlemen, we all know what we have to do.
-See you tomorrow. -Goodbye.
Crappy day, eh?
Like any other day.
Hi, I'm Ewa Rudzik. A reporter with Mercury TV.
Jaśmina Tremer.
Are you Marczak's new hydrologist?
Yes.
My condolences.
You'll be dealing with old nasty guys.
It's nothing new.
Do you know where I can smoke in peace and quiet?
Sure.
Some things never change, eh?
Things don't, but people sometimes do.
I've seen your campaign poster.
Quite conservative for an anarchist.
You can't spend your life drinking cheap wine.
It's better to wait for a signal from the command centre.
Why did you bring me here? You have great experts.
You're here because you're good at what you do.
Nothing else. Get it?
I'm a different person now.
I'm only asking if you get it.
What was it again?
"The regulation of rivers…"
"…in their lower course."
Apparently, an epoch-making work.
All right then.
Bye.
Jaśka!
Please, don't blow it.
Kuba…
Hey, sweetheart.
I just wanted to hear your voice.
I feel lonely without you. When will you be back?
It's gonna take longer than I thought.
-Longer? -Yes.
Did you feed the dogs?
Yes. Moja fell asleep on your pillow.
Miss you already.
I love you.
Love you too.
Have you ever flown in a military helicopter?
Not yet.
Why don't I give you a ride?
Maybe.
Good morning!
Good morning. Did you sleep well?
-Let's say I did. -Come on.
WEDNESDAY, 9 JULY 1997, NORTHERN WROCŁAW
A few years ago, the floodbanks were reinforced.
But why are the trees still here?
-They've always been here. -I know.
Since the German times.
Plus, the place looks prettier, right?
There's some shade.
-What are you doing? -Please lie down.
It's not a request. It's an order.
Can you feel them move?
If the water level rises by two metres,
the trees will make the floodbanks flow away like sandcastles.
Hello!
-Hello. -We're from the Province Office.
-What's the speed? -The report will be ready tonight.
Is it already two metres per second?
One point nine in the centre.
One hour ago, it was one point eight.
-And the water flow? -Close to 2500 metres.
How close?
Very close.
THE WATER STATION IN KĘTY
WATER RESCUE
Let's pull over.
You can squat behind that tree, ma'am.
I won't be peeking.
I'll be right back.
Excuse me!
-Hello! -Hello.
It's a beautiful house.
Thank you.
The oldest in the area.
How long has this tree been yellow?
Not long. It's some kind of parasite.
Do you have a basement?
Are you a building inspector?
Do I look like one? I'm a hydrologist.
Jaśmina Tremer. I'm monitoring the level of groundwater.
Can I see your basement?
Do you live here?
No, my father does. I live abroad.
-How long? -Since the war ended.
Could I talk to him?
No, he's in hospital.
Why do you ask?
He might tell me what happened here during floods in the past.
He'll be back in two weeks.
Here you go.
Totally wet.
Is it?
It was dry a week ago.
When it rains, it pours.
Is your dad an angler?
No way. He hates fish.
I have to make a call, but reception is only up there.
Sure.
What is this flyover?
For trains.
The Opole-Wrocław trains used to run there.
Goodbye!
Hello, this is Andrzej Rębacz.
I'm calling to ask how my father's doing.
THE RESERVOIR IN GIERŻONIÓW
Where's the manager?
Over there.
Mr. Woroń!
-What is this thing? -Oh, hello!
The Golden Keel Regatta.
What? The flood wave is coming!
I told you to keep the reservoir empty for retention.
-I understand, but… -No "buts"!
Release the water now!
And the stands?
The boys have been working hard for a week.
What stands?! The decision is final.
Okay. I get it.
Final.
We'll do it!
As soon as we can.
What? You will do it now!
Now…
Fuck me.
I've told you he's sluggish.
Here's coffee for you.
Sandwiches.
-Take some eggs. -What for, Mum?
To make scrambled eggs after the night shift.
Back in five minutes.
"BASIA'S MARKET"
Bye!
-Oh, hi! -There you are!
Hi, Ms. Basia. I have a list.
You got any sourdough bread left?
I've kept two loaves for you.
Great.
What do we have here?
Pâté, cheese…
-I'll take water. -Fine.
-Ms. Basia… -Yes?
Can I ask you a favour?
It's about…
Kuba, I do listen to the radio.
I know you have a heap of work now.
I'll help you.
-Thank you. -Wait! I have something else for you.
Something special.
-I've taken one bag. -Fine.
Wow! Much appreciated, ma'am.
-Kuba, is that you? -Yes!
-I didn't expect you today. -Magazines…
And how's the politics?
Tell me. Entertain the old woman.
"All animals are equal." The same old story.
-You sure? -Yes.
Kuba…
Could you help me stand up?
I have to move a little.
My bedsores keep me awake.
Wait…
We did it!
Leave it, let me do it.
That's all right.
When is the physiotherapist coming?
Do you know by any chance?
She's on holiday until the end of July.
So what's going to happen to me?
It's going to be fine.
It's going to be okay.
I might not be coming for a few days.
I have a heap of work.
But I talked to Ms. Basia. She'll help you and handle everything.
I hate her. She's nosy.
It's for the best.
She'll make lunch for you today.
I have to go.
Is there anything you'd like to tell me, Kuba?
Tell me!
No, nothing, Ms. Lena.
I'm off. Goodbye.
Too bad.
Thanks, bye!
The bridges will hold up, but the floodbanks with trees will not.
Ma'am, everything will hold up.
Besides, the protocol doesn't have a point for the flow of 3600 metres.
Then maybe you should add it?
Can you please stop tapping?
We had weeks to prepare for that.
Weeks.
I'll join you in a sec!
Hello, sorry I'm late.
-Where have you been? -Handling important issues.
But I'm here. Easy.
What's wrong?
Ms. Tremer says Wrocław will be flooded.
These hypotheses are untrue.
The flow won't exceed 2700.
It's 2500 already.
And groundwater makes trees turn yellow.
-Will the Police HQ be flooded? -Where?
In Podwale.
No. The northern districts are in danger.
-And the city centre? -It's rather safe.
Enough of this nonsense.
The last flood in Wrocław was in 1903.
We have a water junction and strengthened floodbanks.
This model is a fraud!
Then why did you bring me here if you know better?
I didn't. Mr. Marczak did.
Do we need to evacuate the hospital in Traugutta?
Mr. Nowak, do we need to evacuate it or not?
-Can we print it at least? -Here's your fraud.
Everyone, please try to calm down.
We have a common goal.
We should cooperate. It's crucial…
Excuse me!
-Yes? -I've brought pizza.
Christ, you people ordered pizza?!
Congratulations.
Pepperoni.
Colonel, take me home, please.
Macioszek, call the helicopter in.
You've made a mess and now you're leaving?
Why do you scare people and say such silly things?
Jaśka!
Thank you for this meeting.
Let's go back to our duties.
Ms. Tremer has been of great help to us.
What would you do if you were me?
I'd pretend I didn't see that.
I'm not talking about methadone.
I mean the flood.
I'd open the floodbanks to create a corridor for the river spilling.
Meaning?
Meaning a bypass in Domaniewo.
Like it was done before.
Are we to blow up the floodbanks?
Don't they protect us from the flood?
They raise the water level.
They're counterproductive for a heavy flood.
-The one that will hit Wrocław. -Are you sure it will help?
-There's no such thing as "sure". -So, Domaniewo?
Yes!
Where are we?
Ahead of Domaniewo.
Are you sure?
I am.
How come?
There's no weir in Domaniewo. There are no buildings.
Ma'am, I'm absolutely sure we are where we are.
The river was piled up a few years ago to feed the Łatka Dairy Plant.
Look, these buildings below.
TOPOGRAPHIC MAP: 1967
Fuck me.
-We have to go back. -What?
Go back! Now!
What are you doing here?
Who's that?
Pause the film. I'll be right back.
-There's a problem. -What problem?
A serious one.
The maps are outdated?
They date back to Operation Danube.
But what does it mean?
It means the areas near rivers change.
-So? -Look at the maps you gave me.
There's no weir in Domaniewo.
It was built for the Łatka Plant, which isn't here either!
Can you be clearer?
Fuck me… My model isn't worth shit.
Blowing up the floodbanks in Domaniewo won't help at all.
Fucking shit.
You said it was the best and only solution.
The orders have already been issued.
Kuba, you gave me old maps, for fuck's sake!
My expert opinion is relevant for 1967.
-Dad, how long am I supposed to wait? -Klara, get inside.
-Good evening. -Get inside.
If you need me, I'm staying at the "Oder" Hotel.
Who was that?
A colleague from work. A hydrologist.
What did she want?
I can't talk right now, love.
Sir!
Czacki speaking. Hello?
Colonel, hello?
Colonel Czacki!
Hello?
Hello?!
Can't hear fucking anything.
All right, Marek. Make some room and ka-boom.
Blow it the fuck up.
NO ANIMAL WAS HURT DURING THE SHOOTING OF THE SERIES.
THIS SERIES IS AN ARTISTIC VISION OF THE CREATORS, INSPIRED BY REAL EVENTS.
THE CHARACTERS AND EVENTS WERE CREATED FOR THIS STORY.