Lead Children a Communist Enviromental story

 Environmental stories all seem to start with a perceived problem, an attempt to deal with it and established opposition.  Power is often hidden by ideology, but under almost any political system or people who like to exploit others and/or maintain the status quo.  A common theme is the greedy oil executives to exploit us simple folk, however it is not such capitalists that campaign against environmental concerns.

"Lead Children" (Olowiane Dzieci 2026) based on a true story, is set in Poland in the 1970's under a Communist regime or as they would say Socialist.  Nonetheless the established controllers of a local smelter dismiss a doctor's discovery of lead poisoning of the town's children.  They are expecting a visit from the Soviet leader, Brezhnev and wanted to highlight the smelter.

Dr. Jolanta soon finds that the workers in the smelter have decided her solution threatens their jobs.  The Governor, union head and Hubert Nieddzila of the secret police are all in different ways trying to discourage her.  Jolanta lives near a swimming pool which for fear of lead pollution she forbids anyone to swim in. She catches her daughter in the nude with a boyfriend and grabs her out.  She tells her daughter being with a boyfriend is ok, but not swimming in that pool.

Things tense up, but she gathers support from many of the mothers.  At one point she has a gun pointed at her.  The whole point of the film is to show how determined people can overcome resistance to achieve environmental goals.

Poland has a well developed cinema industry and here are a few contributors to this film

Maciej Pieprzyca was the director.  In 1989 he earned a degree in journalism, followed in 1990 with a degree in screen writing.  An interesting film he got involved with was "Life Feels Good" (2013) based on an effort by a fellow college mate who died.  The subject was of a boy with cerebral palsy that rendered him unable to walk or talk with the challenge of communicating.  Taking the project over, despite much criticism that it could not be profitable he turned it into a commercial success and the winner of many awards including 3 at the Montreal Film Festival.  Maciej has 16 directing credits, 36 for additional crew and 9 for writing.

Jakub Korolczuk was the writer.   He helped write a script with Liam Neeson, "After Life" (2009).  He has 6 writing credits.

Witold Plociennik was the cinematographer.  He has 35 cinematography credits and 8 for the camera and electrical department.

Joanna Kulig played Dr. Jolanta.  She has 54 acting credits, 2 for the music department and 7 for soundtrack including "Ida" (2013) and "Hansel & Gretel:  Witch Hunters" (2013.)

Agata Kulesza played a professor who agreed with Dr. Jolanta's findings, but opposed her on practical grounds.  She acted in the theatre and has done voice over for animated films.  Agata has 105 acting credits including "Ida" playing the lead role and winning several international awards and "Green Border" (2023).

Sebastian Pawlak played Jolanta's husband, himself also a doctor.  He has 65 acting credits including "The White Ribbon" (2009). 

Michal Zurawski played an secret agent trying to wear Jolanta down.  He also had theatre experience.  Michal has 95 acting credits and 1 for directing.

Zbigniew Zamachowski played a Governor.  He has theatre experience, plus has done tv. commercials.  Zbigniew has 49 acting credits including "Three Colors:  Blue" (1993), "Three Colors:  White" (1994) and "Three Colors:  Red" (1994), all 3 in the French language, but with a Polish director and writer. 

Julia Polaczek played the daughter.  She has 4 acting credits.  

 It is worth seeing to inspire further efforts to improve our environment.  Also to realize that the power structure is more important than the ideology.  Polish cinema has not only made many outstanding features, but also has sent many of its actors and technicians around the globe.  Available on Neflix ,subtitled or dubbed.

I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.