Lead Children is a good, powerful drama that presents history in the best way possible. Based on true events, the plot is set during the 1970s Communist-era Silesia, Poland. Dr Jolanta Wadowska-Król is a sincere physician who practices near the Zopienice smelting plant. Soon into her practice, she begins to notice an alarming health pattern: children who belong to the industrial areas are anemic and very weak. In addition to this, their growth and development have become stagnant. She begins her own investigation out of curiosity and soon ends up finding some real dark disturbing truths, which are enough to threaten her and her loved ones' lives. Now, what makes things even more shady is that when a high-profile visit is scheduled in the town, all the signs of weakness in these children are hidden. The government leaders, such as Zdzisław Grudzień and Silesian Voivode Jerzy Ziętek, are more concerned with the appearance of the place rather than the health of the public. And in a place where the future generation is suffering so horribly, not paying enough attention to the matter at hand is a big concern.
Through this series, the makers have thrown light on Dr Jolanta Wadowska-Król’s work as well as the pressures of politicians and bureaucracy. Her work reveals the truth, which is disturbing, but at the same time acts as a reminder of how cruel things were back then.
The narrative is slow, but that is done purposely to make us understand the gravity of the situation. The poison consumed by the children was news that needed to come out to the whole world. However, even after that, very few would know what exactly happened and who Dr. Jolanta Wadowska-Król is. Therefore, by way of this series, we gain a lot of information on this aspect of life.
The series is not at all visually appealing, and that isn’t an issue. When reality is portrayed, things are far from being aesthetic. There is dust, ash, flames, and the entire town, which is also the background of the series, feels grey and muddy. There isn’t any happy feeling that we get from watching. Rather, it is a sad reminder of the sad reality that Dr Jolanta Wadowska-Król unveiled.
The star of the show, without a doubt, has to be Joanna Kulig. Playing Dr. Jolanta Wadowska-Król, it is indeed difficult to make out that in real life she isn’t Dr Jolanta Wadowska-Król. She has gotten deep inside the skin of the character. Her portrayal is so convincing that you are ready to leave all your work and just watch her magic unfold on screen by way of her acting. Other than that, even Sebastian Pawlak and Michał Żurawski have given notable performances, with each of them doing full justice. The star cast is another reason why one should watch the series. They are the reason the execution has come to life in the most realistic manner ever.
So all in all, this is a must-watch. I know the plot is a sad one, but Dr Jolanta Wadowska-Król’s fight against the system and the fact that this is a real story is a mind-blowing reason why everyone should be watching this.
Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times