A NETFLIX SERIES
IN MEMORY OF JERZY TRELA 1942-2022
THURSDAY, 10 JULY 1997, DOMANIEWO
Where's that fucking prescription?
"JULY 1972, THE RIVER OŁAWA"
The blowing up of floodbanks in Domaniewo led to flooding of the Łatka Dairy Plant.
As a result, the herd of 370 cows suffered harm.
Losses are still being estimated…
I wonder if it came from that cow.
Can someone tell me why on earth nobody knew
there was a dairy plant in Domaniewo?
-It wasn't marked on our maps. -Is it a fucking fly?!
So easy to overlook?!
I told you we shouldn't trust that lady, that Tremer.
-What has she got to do with that? -Can't you see?
-She made the mess we're in. -My, er, our calculations…
You must warn the people.
-What? -The centre will be flooded.
But we're operating in the north.
So you're upset by the consequences of your operation in Domaniewo.
The difference in levels in Wrocław will trigger a pile-up on the Oława.
-The water will spill over the centre. -The Oder will take it.
It won't. Look at the levels. This is physics, Mr. Nowak.
-Professor Nowak! -Whatever, this is still physics.
You mistake fantasies for physics.
Let me just…
-Ma'am! -Are you nuts?!
This is what it's gonna look like. Good luck!
Ms. Tremer!
MERKURY TELEVISION
Jaśmina!
Where are you going?
I've asked you a question.
Take the kid away from that one-storey house in Biskupin.
Calm down, you won't speed the lift up.
Let's go back and discuss various options like adults.
What options?
The water flow is three times higher than normal.
-There are no other options. -So come up with some.
Instead of running away.
Brainstorm ideas with that jerk Nowak.
And buy some life jackets.
Fuck this!
-You can't leave me alone now. -I can. And I am.
Please…
Will you let me see Klara?
So that's what it's all about.
It took a flood to make you finally show up.
It took a flood to make you finally call me.
No way.
Please. I've been clean for two years.
And your syrup is cough mixture, eh?
Fuck you.
-You have other family duties here! -Fuck you.
Jaśmina, wait!
What is it? I'm in a hurry.
I can give you a lift.
In exchange for what?
-005, a crash in Świdnicka. -Roger that. Be there in two minutes.
-Is this legal? -No idea.
They don't encrypt the frequency. It's their business.
So…
Wrocław might be like Kłodzko?
Worse. There's one river in Kłodzko. We have five.
The waves on five rivers will converge.
This will end up underwater.
The Japanese Garden, the houses renovated for the Pope…
This city is already gone.
Turn here, it's a shortcut.
I knew you were from Wrocław.
Can you drop me off?
-There's nothing to do here. -Just drop me off.
Okay.
Jaśmina, I'm sorry if I said something wrong.
-You didn't, it's okay. -In case you want to share anything else.
Thanks for the lift.
You can see there are no doctors available.
Only Dr. Białkowski has no appointments scheduled now.
Book one for me then, please.
-But he's a urologist. -Excellent.
Without a referral? Sure.
-Two patients to be discharged. -Please…
Ms. Tremer?
Please follow me.
How many bottles do you need?
Two. Three.
How long have you been taking it?
For two years.
But I'm reducing the doses.
Maybe it's time to reduce them to nothing?
There's never a right moment.
People say, "Happiness begins where fear ends."
Lovely. I'll write it down.
Thank you.
Is the hospital ready for evacuation?
The HQ hasn't sent me any alert.
When you get one, it will be too late. Those guys are in a fog.
Hello!
-Oh, it's you. -Yes…
My father's staying in this hospital.
Oh, that's right.
-And how is he doing? -Okay, thank you.
And what are you doing here?
Just a check-up, you know.
Can I get one, too?
Here.
-The last one. -I have a new pack.
How are things with the flood?
Try and check your father out before Sunday.
That's how things are.
I have to go. Goodbye.
What shall we do, Professor?
Well… It's hard to offer an unambiguous answer.
Decisions can't be made on ambiguous grounds.
What if water does move across the centre?
It will move across the north. How many times shall I say it?
But the River Oława…
Shut up, Piepka!
Janek.
Janek…
Janek!
-Colonel! Strachocin needs to be secured. -Yes?
-Probably Kowale as well. -"Probably"? Yes or no?
Let's play it safe.
As they say, "A stitch in time saves nine."
We'll involve more units of the fire service and the militia.
Good morning…
Sorry, Andrzej. The police.
…cancel our schedule to report on the emergency situation in Wrocław.
According to reliable sources,
the historic centre of the city is in danger of being flooded.
-Tremer. Fucking shit. -We'll keep you updated.
Don't be afraid, ma'am. Walk on.
It's an old German pulley.
But the string is Polish, right?
Looks like Polish.
"FLOOD RISK. LEAVE THE FLAT URGENTLY. HOUSING BOARD"
BASIA'S DELI GROCERIES, ALCOHOL
Jaśmina?
Christ! Is that you, girl?
Yes, it's me.
What did Mum say when she saw you?
I'm sure she was happy, wasn't she?
Mum is Mum.
How long have you had this shop?
For three years in August.
Kazio ran a video rental shop here,
but closed it down when legitimate tapes came on the market.
The poor thing got atherosclerosis and sits at home all day long.
So you still live above Mum?
I'd never move out.
Beata will be happy to see you.
She's the ward nurse at the cardiology department in Traugutta.
She got what she always wanted: working at the hospital.
-Excuse me, can anyone serve me? -I'm coming.
Ms. Basia…
Would you let Mum stay at your place for a few days?
-I've already told Kuba I'll help you. -Kuba?
He never said you were coming.
He only asked me to come and see your mum.
The point is to take her upstairs from the ground floor.
Just for a few days.
So what they say about the flood is true?
I don't know what they say, but it doesn't look good.
But how are we supposed to get her out?
-Ma'am, I'm in a hurry! -Yeah, I'm coming.
She'll do what you tell her to do.
I'll pay for everything, don't worry.
I can't possibly handle her on my own.
Yes?
Try these. From your own garden.
Leave me alone. Am I a child or what?
Why do they keep going here and there?
Before, you could be dying and they'd be drinking coffee.
No idea.
-Good morning! -Good morning.
Please leave. We're doing the rounds.
All right. How are you today?
-What? -How are you feeling?
Been better.
All this excitement in the hospital today, what is it?
Excitement? Business as usual.
Fine, Furosemide and Dobutamine twice a day.
Delivered via infusion pump.
All the best, Mr. Rębacz.
-Hello, how are you today? -Hello.
-Quite good. -Quite good?
Take the pump from upstairs.
Doctor, maybe I should take Dad home?
Your father doesn't respond to treatment.
I've heard high water is heading for Wrocław.
He'll be safer at home.
Patients who are seriously ill are staying here.
I can arrange a private ambulance for tomorrow.
Your father is too weak. He won't get home alive.
Maybe he'll feel better in two or three days.
Jesus! What are you doing, Dad?
You think I don't know
the hospital is packing up because the Oder's coming?
Nobody's packing anything up. Get some rest.
What about the house?
What's been going on here?
What…
-You're acting like a child. -What about the house?
-Everything's fine.
I'm working on it. You see it when you get back.
Don't worry about the house now.
Son…
This house is more than a heap of bricks and the roof.
I know, Dad, I know.
That's why you won't recognize it after the makeover.
Go home, son.
Please, go.
Go.
Bye, Dad.
Your secretary told me where to find you.
I come jogging here to vent.
Prof. Nowak says the water won't go across the centre.
It doesn't matter what he says, but what the media say.
Who leaked it? That friend of yours, Tremer?
Actually, it doesn't matter.
You should go to the north of the city.
The media will follow you there.
Is it going to calm down people in the centre?
Wear clothes suitable for an emergency situation.
Meanwhile, I'll handle the supplies.
"CLOUDLESS FUTURE FOR POLAND"
Macioszek, let's go.
And where are the sandbags?
Macioszek! Where are the sandbags?
The sandbags, well…
Maybe in the other warehouse?
-What's this? -The sandbags.
You've got to be shitting me.
Exactly, Macioszek, are you shitting us?
-Where are the rest? -On the training ground.
You have Lugol's iodine, but you don't have sandbags?!
Don't get upset. "Keep calm and soldier on."
Do we have sand at least?
So many sandpits in Wrocław!
Sir, my brother-in-law owns a sand mine. He might help us.
Why are you only telling me this now?
Call him to order the sand for us. We'll pay.
Bloody hell.
Thank you!
Good evening. The next train to Elbląg, please.
The next one leaves at 23:20.
But there are only berth tickets available.
That's fine.
We realized how dramatic it was
when we saw people migrating from the neighbouring region.
Ladies and gentlemen, please don't panic.
Wrocław is safe, we keep our fingers on the pulse.
-I'll go there and… -Bollocks.
Thank you.
I'm glad I've caught you. Someone's waiting for you in the café.
Me?
Hi!
Hi.
Where's your dad?
At the HQ, I guess.
Wait here, I'll bring you something to drink.
Can I use the phone, please?
Thank you.
Dad has exactly the same sweatshirt.
But with an anarchy patch.
What are you actually doing here?
I want to find out how well you know Dad.
We're working together, so I know him a little.
But you two are on first name terms.
He still calls his assistant "Ms."
even though he sleeps over at her place.
We've known each other since school.
So you knew my mum too?
How did you get here?
By taxi.
I called you at once.
You know you're grounded for the rest of your life?
How about half at least?
The car's over there. I'll be right back.
Bye, Klara.
-Chill out, I didn't tell her anything. -She's not stupid.
-She's not, for sure. -What did she ask you?
-How we met. -Fuck me.
Easy, I didn't tell her anything.
I'll be gone soon anyway.
-No way. -Yes way.
Everything should stay as it is.
I'm only begging you: take her to a safe place, away from Biskupin.
You haven't changed a bit.
You make a mess and get the hell out when things get tough.
-I didn't mean to. -But the damage is done. Wait!
Maybe we should discuss it.
What's there to discuss?
There's nothing to talk about. You're right.
I'm so not ready for this.
And what shall I tell her?
You're a politician.
You'll come up with something.
Look! There's a fucking cow!
What are you saying?
-I swear, a cow! -Bloody fuck!
There's a cow! Look!
Oi, pretty lady, got some spare change?
Trema?
Don't you recognize your mates?
It's me, Rubber.
I don't know you. Fuck off.
Excuse me! Where are all the trains?
They've been shut down.
The rails between Opole and Wrocław were flooded.
Thanks!
-Please, wait for me here. -Okay.
FRIDAY, 11 JULY 1997, KĘTY
GERMAN REICH RAILWAY BRESLAU HEADQUARTERS
Excuse me…
Excuse me!
I'm looking for Beata Kozarowicz,
the ward nurse at the cardiology department.
I need to talk to her about an urgent issue.
Please.
Who should I say this is?
Jaśmina.
-Jaśka! -Beti!
You're alive.
It looks like I am.
-How are you? -Okay.
-And you? -Okay.
Look, there's a man staying at your ward. Rębacz.
I… need to talk to him.
-Only relatives can. -I know.
But it's really urgent.
Mr. Rębacz?
Did I wake you up?
Ma'am, it's after ten on a weekday.
I'm Jaśmina Tremer, a hydrologist at the Polish Academy of Science.
I was in your house in Kęty.
Your son let me inside.
What for?
I work for the Emergency HQ.
We're analysing the groundwater levels near Wrocław.
There's a flyover near your house.
The trains from Wrocław to Opole used to run there, right?
Yes, before 1903.
I also saw a water reservoir.
There used to be a water crane.
A water crane?
During the German times,
the house was owned by the railway company.
Steam engines left from there.
So there's the old riverbed.
I saw the stream gauge.
Why do you need to know this at all?
I'm sorry.
Thank you. You've really helped me.
You haven't left.
Well, I haven't.
What is it?
In Kęty, the river is trying to return to its old bed.
-It's moving across the land. -And?
Blow up the floodbanks there.
In Kęty? Are you fucking nuts? There are people living there.
It's the last bend in the Oder before it flows into Wrocław.
What if you're wrong again?
It used to be a floodplain.
If you blow up the floodbanks, you'll reduce the wave and save Wrocław.
Oh, Kuba!
Mr. Marczak, the deputy minister is here.
Now or never, Kuba.
Prepare the documents necessary for blowing up the floodbanks for Czacki.
He should get the sappers ready.
You will go with them. It's your idea, so you'll supervise them.
Here, in this region…
And here's our dauphin.
Hello.
Why don't I…
Yes, yes. The two of us need to talk.
You've got a bloody mess here, Mr. Marczak.
Minister, whatever Prof. Nowak said…
You've brought a woman from Żuławy who's making a big stink.
She's helping us handle the flood.
The situation is critical. We have to act now.
The permission you asked for, sir.
Thank you, Ms. Maja.
What is this?
The permission for the military.
We have to blow up the Kęty floodbanks so that Wrocław is safe.
Prof. Nowak has assured me Wrocław is safe.
Prof. Nowak is economical with the truth.
What do you care? Is he an expert?
He is. So?
You once rushed things up in Domaniewo.
Domaniewo was a mistake.
If you blow up those floodbanks,
the wave of shit will cover you up to your ears.
Am I right, Ms. Maja?
It's better than having water in the city centre.
I can see the headlines: "The authorities flood the farmers".
Do you know how many farmers there are in Poland?
You don't. Let me tell you.
A fuckload.
While Wrocław has barely half a million residents.
Am I supposed to call the operation off?
Don't be ridiculous.
Three months before the elections we're not defending the city?
Minister, you can't have your cake and eat it.
Mr. Marczak…
In politics, you eat cakes that don't even exist.
Apparently, the greatest benefit of the new Poland is the free media.
So if we do have them, let them come in handy.
Give people a chance to defend their property.
But what about Wrocław?
You have Nowak's signature, right?
If the Kęty people flood the city,
they are the ones who'll be screwed.
Take a wise decision, Mr. Marczak.
What do you think?
It's not a good idea.
…residents of Kęty and the area.
The Emergency HQ sources confirm
the floodbanks in Kęty are going to be blown up.
The operation is supposed to save the city centre from being flooded
by the incoming wave.
Here's the latest weather forecast…
"THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT IN KĘTY"
Guys, the TV says they want to flood Kęty.
Get the sirens and megaphones.
Szpak! Szpak, open up!
I heard it on TV!
-You saw that? -On TV?
-Yeah! -Get everyone to the floodbanks!
NO ANIMALS WERE HURT DURING THE FILMING OF THIS SERIES.
THIS SERIES IS AN ARTISTIC VISION OF THE CREATORS, INSPIRED BY REAL EVENTS.
THE CHARACTERS AND EVENTS WERE CREATED FOR THIS STORY.