LEAD CHILDREN is a Polish docu-drama series inspired by a true story from 1974. Children were getting sick and dying due to lead poisoning from a smelting factory. Doctor Jolanta Wadowska-Krรณl did the right thing and took on the government during turbulent times when Poland was under Soviet rule. It is an important blip in history, magnifying how one person can make a difference in helping others live better lives.ย
I enjoyed learning about โthe Doctorโsโ harrowing journey. It was a compelling story about how the fear of making waves against what you know is wrong remains a universal dilemma today across the globe. The Doctor was a powerhouse who would not be silenced. The series made its point; however, I do think several episodes could have been condensed. It felt repetitious and tiresome watching the Doctor walk from one government building to the next, or hearing the sound of her shoe heels clicking on the uneven streets and sidewalks. We got it. Sometimes less is more, but the lack of editing didnโt diminish the powerful performances. There were moments I was truly frightened for her safety and her familyโs well-being.ย
Thousands of lives owe this courageous woman. LEAD CHILDREN opened my eyes to a place on the other side of my world. The entire series is dubbed, but it didnโt diminish the experience of hearing a strong tale unfold for all to witness.
It is streaming on Netflix.ย
