Original subtitles

14 JANUARY 16 MINUTES BEFORE THE MAYDAY CALL

Why isn't the list decreasing?

Zajdel, what's wrong with the ballast tanks?

-What the hell's going on? -No idea.

Go and check!

We're tipping more by the minute!

Is it not stopping?

Twenty degrees and rising.

Attention, all crew and passengers!

-What's going on? -This is the captain speaking.

The ferry must be evacuated.

I repeat, the ferry must be evacuated.

Proceed immediately to your assigned muster stations!

Attention all passengers and crew members. This is the captain speaking.

-I need some help here! What's going on? -The ferry must be evacuated.

What the fuck?!

What's going on?

Call the Engine room. Ask about the thrusters!

What's the matter with the thrusters?

This is Engine. The shaft generator on One is down!

One of the shaft generators is down!

Call Karkonosze!

Karkonosze, Karkonosze, Heweliusz!

Karkonosze, Karkonosze, this is Heweliusz!

BRIDGE OF KARKONOSZE FERRY 4:36 AM

Heweliusz, Heweliusz, we can hear you. Come in.

I've got a 30-degree list.

I've raised the abandon ship alarm.

I repeat, I've got a 30-degree list and I've raised the abandon ship alarm.

What's your location?

Heweliusz, Heweliusz, this is Karkonosze.

Goddamn it!

Are you still there?

What's your location?

-Are you north or south of Arkona? -Wait!

There's a problem with radar.

Use the thrusters.

Try to turn about and sideways towards the wind.

The shaft generator's not working!

The list is too heavy. I can't reduce it!

So what now?

We're sending a mayday call!

Mayday, mayday, mayday.

All ships, all ships.

This is Polish ferry Jan Heweliusz.

With heavy list to the port side.

In really tough position.

Oh, fuck!

Jan Heweliusz, Jan Heweliusz, Rønne Radio.

What is your position?

How many passengers do you have?

Thirty-nine!

-Thirty-five! -What?

Correction, 35 passengers.

Twenty-nine crew, including captain!

-…more time! -I've tried. It's not responding!

Quickly, over here! Dad! Come on!

Dad!

Come on, hurry up!

How are the engines?

They're fine but working at increased speed.

One of the fucking propellers is above water and about to seize up.

-Thrusters? -They're okay, they're okay.

But the generator on Thruster One is down.

And the ballast tanks?

I think they're completely fucking blocked.

Jan Heweliusz, Jan Heweliusz, what is your position?

I repeat, what is your position?

We are not far from Kolliker Ort.

Not far from Kolliker.

I'll give you my position shortly.

It seems like they're near Kolliker.

-We're going back, Captain? -Back to where exactly?

Heweliusz, Heweliusz. Give your position. Give your position.

Andrzej, give me your position.

Give me your position, Andrzej!

Waldek, for fuck's sake! What's our position?

The radar's completely fucked up!

The list is too heavy, I can't see the land!

I repeat. Mayday, mayday, mayday.

-What's going on, Zajdel? -It won't fucking shift!

This fucking… thing!

-Bridge, the valves are stuck! -There's no signal.

-Fuck's sake! -No signal! Go outside the chamber!

Nothing works in here.

What's going on?

Get the fuck out of here!

…not very far from Kolliker Ort.

Six… south-west from Kolliker Ort!

Captain, that can't be.

Sixty miles south-west of Kolliker Ort there's land.

Jan Heweliusz, I didn't hear.

-What should we do? -Jan Heweliusz, respond.

Captain?

Stay on course. We can't go back for them.

And Heweliusz?

We don't know where they are. They're not on land!

We can assume they must be southeast of Arkona.

Sixty miles east of Arkona? It means they're on Bornholm, does it?

I'm not risking the safety of everyone on somebody's simple assumption!

We'll maintain our course for Świnoujście.

Jan Heweliusz, Jan Heweliusz.

Jan Heweliusz, Jan Heweliusz.

Jan Heweliusz, Jan Heweliusz!

We're over.

-What the fuck's that mean? -We've gone over!

Give me your hand!

SASSNITZ, GERMANY

14 JANUARY, 6:10 PM

JAN HEWELIUSZ FERRY

There's nobody in here.

Nobody?

What about Waldek?

Waldek Skrzypczyński?

My friend.

Waldek Skrzypczyński.

Uh…

He… He came off the ship with me.

-How is he? Where… -Stay calm.

He passed

of a major heart attack.

Hey.

-You're all right. -Oh God.

All right.

You haven't rested for long enough.

And you haven't slept enough.

Come.

Come.

WARSAW

Hey!

Come back with the car!

You know your dad won't go easy with you.

I'm surprised you want more after the last thrashing.

-That old bat hates me. You know it. -No, she doesn't.

It's nothing to do with her. It's you who's doing this.

-Why would you clog the toilet? Again! -It wasn't me, yeah?

-Hiya, Alek! -Hey man, what's up?

Got any more Blaupunkts, have you?

Of course. I can get you one.

-Walking with his mum again! -You're all just two-bit criminals.

You'll all end up in jail.

Good evening, Mrs Kaczkowska.

Got in even more trouble, have you?

It's you we need to talk to.

Why? What's going on?

Could we go inside, do you think?

Yeah, sure.

We didn't have any idea that it was going on.

How long will it take to get back here?

In two days, they'll be transported back to Poland.

Someone will escort you to Świnoujście.

-Your husband was very lucky indeed. -Mm.

Yes, I think we're all very lucky.

Have your coffee!

SZCZECIN NAVICA FERRIES HQ

Been ringing all morning. The families, the press, everyone.

The chairman told me not to answer them.

Because they'll all just yell at me, like I'm responsible for this catastrophe.

I don't blame you but at least take it off the hook instead of letting it ring.

I bet you're relieved you weren't on board for this one.

Such a tragedy. It's hard to believe.

I saw Attorney Mentzel here just a couple of days ago.

She was picking up documents for the conference in Stockholm from here.

They say apparently she was supposed to take a different ferry?

Our competitor's.

But…

Don't worry, Wiesław. We won't let anything happen to you.

Oh, Piotr.

Hi.

Oh, Piotr… Hmm.

Welcome.

Please, sit down.

You know,

when they made me the chairman of this place…

I thought to myself at the time,

an ideal segue before I retire to peace and quiet.

Not bad money, huh?

What are the chances of anything untoward?

What could go wrong on such a short crossing?

What complications could there be between here and Ystad?

What could possibly happen?

Hmm.

Honestly.

I don't know how it's all got so fucked up.

You been able to sleep yet?

So, yeah…

I've got a job for you.

A difficult job to do.

Go and see Jola.

Look after her.

Inform her officially, on my behalf and of Navica Ferries,

that Andrzej is dead.

Offer our condolences.

You've known each other so long.

You like each other. It's better you do that.

And listen, tell her that…

…she can rest assured she'll receive our full support.

We'll see to her financial security.

She won't have to worry about any of that.

Yeah.

And the list of survivors?

Compiling it at the moment.

And what about…

Ania Mentzel?

Hi, honey. I'm in Świnoujście already,

but we've got a bit of a delay because of some minor malfunction.

Maybe we won't leave port at all!

The weather's been rough the past few days.

I really don't like sailing Heweliusz in this kind of weather.

The propulsion was supposed to be fixed, but I don't think they did it.

Anyway, tell Aga I bought her those Daim bars she asked for.

But tell her she needs to work harder at school.

Maybe we could all go skiing when I get back?

Andrzej!

Mm-hmm? Yes, yes, yes. Hold on a second!

-Come on! -I'm coming!

Oh, and honey, can you record the Trójka Radio Chart for me?

I think there's a cassette by the basket.

Better go now.

I love you all. Kiss everyone for me. Hania and Janusz, as well.

See you in five days. Kisses. Loads of them.

Hi, honey. I'm in Świnoujście already,

but we've got a bit of a delay because of some minor malfunction.

Maybe we won't leave port at all!

The weather's been rough the past few days…

Hello, Jola.

They sent you, did they?

You know what they used to do in antiquity to messengers who brought bad news?

Maybe we could all go skiing when I get back.

Andrzej!

Yes, yes, yes. Hold on a second!

-Come on! -I'm coming!

-It's my cousin's answerphone. -…record the Trójka Radio Chart for me?

He left a message every time before he left the port.

Better go now.

That was one of our traditions.

…for me. Hania and Janusz, as well.

See you in five days. Kisses. Loads of them.

You'll be all right.

I'm here for you.

ŚWINOUJŚCIE

-Morning. -Good morning.

Morning.

-Good morning. -Morning.

Clear?

I would say so.

-You'd say so or you're certain? -I'm certain of it.

Fine. Thanks, gentlemen.

-Morning. -Morning.

We can begin.

Gentlemen, we are, as they say, in the circle of trust here.

Everything we're about to discuss remains within these four walls, okay?

I presume that's clear?

We need to do all we can to save the shipowner.

It's a well-respected name. It's famous.

It's also a Polish brand.

Basically, you could say that

Navica Ferries is Poland's ambassador to the world.

But they also provide jobs, gentlemen.

A lot of bloody jobs too. Five thousand of them.

About right, Mr Cyganik?

-To be exact, 5733. -Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's quite a few.

Including families of the workers as well,

Navica Ferries puts food on their plates

for about 20-odd thousand people, apparently.

Likely to be even more than that, I'd say.

You heard that, gentlemen.

We all know there's 20% national unemployment.

Even highlanders in the mountains are on strike.

And are we individuals gathered, responsible for this whole country,

expected to kick all these people to the kerb over one fucking ferry?

This situation is about social responsibility.

Yes.

It's as straightforward as a pig's tail.

About the lesser of the two evils.

We, as the Polish government, can't afford to worsen the situation

and cause more problems.

-Any problems are to be solved by us. -Exactly.

Yes.

This is Pomerania.

It's where people take to the streets over any old shit.

Bartek, pour me some water.

The long and short of it is…

…the shipowner's our responsibility.

We protect them.

How do we do that?

Go ahead Mr Cyganik.

If the shipowner's responsible,

it'll be liable to compensate the victims' families using its assets.

As for how long, who knows?

What are you saying?

He's saying that the captain takes the blame.

That what you're going for?

Ułasiewicz?

No. Fucking Nemo.

Apparently you were in contact on the radio.

You told Ułasiewicz what to do, how to balance the Heweliusz.

He still managed to capsize, though.

What exactly are you trying to insinuate?

That he maliciously capsized it? Is that what you're saying?

For fuck's sake, that's not what happened! But you know that, don't you?

We all know what a bastard ship it was.

A tiny breeze could heel it.

A one-year-old has better stability than the Heweliusz.

Captain Kubara…

Are you in a hurry to get yourself unemployed? No.

Gentlemen, none of this is really of any concern.

We've been given a guarantee from London. The insurance will pay its share.

But only if the captain and the crew

are the individuals found guilty for the catastrophe.

That's how it is.

We need our people on the Maritime Chamber.

Preferably those with authority behind them.

Fortunately, the law permits that.

I'll try to speak to him.

We could finally find a use for Binter.

He'd also sailed Heweliusz.

He's probably the youngest, so least connected to anybody.

What if he refuses?

No, he'll be fine.

Piotr is a reliable young man.

Do we know how many people were on board?

We're still establishing.

How fucking long can that take?

It's not the Titanic.

He sailed with me for five years.

I taught him.

I didn't know his position.

He could have been anywhere.

We all really respected Andrzej.

Liked by everyone.

But what's done now is sadly done.

We must now look after those still living.

What else was on the ferry?

Nobody's told me anything.

Not that any of that matters anyway.

All that concerns us is that old commie has so much dirt available on everyone.

And that includes us.

I'd remember that.

Are you actually threatening me?

Friendly advice, that's all.

You're telling me it was only sweets you carried on Karkonosze?

Maybe it's better you think of it as if you're fighting for your own reputation.

And for what your grandchildren will end up thinking of you.

Of all of us that is.

You're better than that.

Jola, Kosiorek personally assured me that he would look after you.

That he'll guarantee

your financial security.

In Andrzej's message he mentioned something.

They were supposed to repair the propulsion, but didn't.

Even in low wind, it meant the ferry was unstable.

Jola, I know all that.

But what's done is done. You can't turn back time.

What do you mean, Piotr?

Forgive me.

That was a terrible way of moving on.

All I'm saying is that I'll be your support.

Andrzej was a friend for a long time.

And so that's why I've come here. To help you.

To offer support for you.

If you need support or just to talk to someone,

I'm at your disposal whenever.

If anyone attempts to blame Andrzej,

I won't accept it, as I'm sure you're aware.

Not without a fight.

Hello, Aga.

Hi.

The ambassador was unfortunately unable to come in person.

But he wishes you a speedy recovery.

Thank you.

Yeah. You have some kind of documentation, I presume?

What sort of documentation?

It's gone. How would I have anything?

Nothing?

Right, well in that case, may I, um, take a photo of you?

Just for the purpose of, er,

being able to cross the border easily, all right?

Why don't you smile a bit, yeah?

There!

Great!

Just to avoid any complications at the border.

Your family will be waiting.

Here are my details, just… you know, in case.

Somewhere here is a… present!

From us.

A bit of liquid courage, you know. Here you go.

And, er, congratulations.

Eh?

Tomorrow at 2 pm we'll transport you back to Poland.

Oh… Thank you very much.

Thank you.

You were on the bridge that night, I believe?

Do you remember anything about the…

the catastrophe?

Right. Take care.

Doctor Neumann!

Doctor Neumann…

-Er… -Yes?

Do you have my immersion suit?

Your suit?

Yeah.

It's probably in storage. Why, though?

Could you bring it for me? Here?

What for?

I must check something in it.

Yeah. Yeah.

Just in time. Here it is.

Thank you.

It's torn.

Hmm?

Er… Mm…

It… It's torn. Uh, it's damaged, here.

Is that significant?

Uh… Yeah.

Out at sea…

as the ship was capsizing…

I saw myself.

From behind.

Like I was

outside my body, uh…

I saw this strap. But I couldn't have known it, you see?

I… I couldn't have known.

Last year…

Uh…

There was a man we treated after a traffic accident.

He was an ambulance driver.

In critical condition.

He regained consciousness briefly

and he wouldn't stop talking about a car jack he'd seen.

At the moment of collision, the boot flew open.

A jack fell out of the vehicle.

He just couldn't think of anything else.

And then?

We lost him.

And I don't know why I did it, but…

I went to the police station and asked an officer

if they'd happened to find a car jack

at the wreck at the time.

And they said yes.

It was in a field, 70 metres from the accident.

You see, do you?

There's no way he could have known.

NAVICA FERRIES

Oh! Good timing. They're already waiting for you.

They're waiting? Who else?

Oh, hi.

Hello, Piotr.

Hello.

Please, sit.

Tell me, Piotr.

How was it with Jola this afternoon?

It went as well as possible.

I understand.

You know, I feel very sorry for her. I do.

I remember when she and Andrzej… Um…

came on holiday with us to Mozambique.

They'd been married a couple of years, you know, but they still behaved like…

like young newlyweds in love.

Yes, amazing people.

Such a shame. Although what's done is done.

Listen, Piotr.

We wanted to talk to you in confidence.

Um…

This matter, as we all know, is rather delicate.

There's a high probability

we'll all go down because of this ferry problem.

You and I, the minister,

and almost 6000 innocent others.

Unfortunately, everything so far is indicating

Ułasiewicz is the one to blame.

In fact, it wouldn't be his first accident.

There hasn't even been an investigation.

Just going by the facts.

His late port departure.

Didn't keep sheltered by land, and then he did a weird manoeuvre

and tacked through the wind with the vessel overbalanced.

You saw yourself the position the rudders were in.

But you know the poor construction of the ship,

and after coating the upper deck with concrete, it was unstable.

There was more wrong than right with it, no?

Yet you were able to sail it.

So what?

Oh, thank you very much.

Thank you.

But that's not what concerns us now, Piotr.

The Chamber will determine who's responsible, won't they?

I hope they will.

We have to have faith.

Speaking of the Chamber, we'd like to suggest

Kubara and yourself to sit as lay judges.

Why would I be involved?

We suggest that the Chamber consists of men with experience.

Men of the sea, and those with an impeccable reputation,

honesty and objectivity.

You know Heweliusz,

and Kubara was at sea that day.

Also, as lay judges, you won't be summoned as witnesses.

As a lay judge, what's expected of me?

Eh, nothing.

Fight for justice.

Speak the truth as always.

The presiding judge?

Ah.

No need to worry about that for the moment.

Well, Piotr?

Will you help us?

I'm sorry, I need to think.

It's all quite a lot. You'll have to excuse me.

Of course, Piotr. Think it over.

Just remember that you currently have nothing to sail.

That's not the point…

Why say such things? I mean…

Really!

Sit down, please.

Piotr's fully aware of what he should do.

Hmm? It's all right, Piotr.

Nothing to worry about.

We've navigated worse storms than this together!

Ułasiewicz meant a lot to you, I know.

But listen, someone has to clean up this mess, don't they?

And Jola will be all right.

Her pockets won't be left empty.

And we'll use the insurance money

to build another ferry.

Modern, luxurious, and computerised, above all.

Please excuse me. I'm visiting my father this evening.

Would you wish him all the best from me?

I'll do that.

I think we may have a problem.

Mmm!

Did you enjoy that?

How about some wine?

No, Mum. Unfortunately, I have to drive back tonight.

It's a shame you can't visit us more often.

You know why though Mum. I have to work.

Mm.

Presumably you'll have more time now, then.

Yeah, I would assume so.

Hmm.

Maybe you'll finally start a family then, will you?

Let's have a little yeast cake, shall we?

Your favourite.

Dad…

They're trying to lay the blame on Ułasiewicz.

They want me to be a lay judge for them.

Who wants you to do that?

Kowalik.

Hmm.

Well, I see he's a better politician

than a mariner.

What would you do?

I'd not get involved.

Oh, really! What do you mean?

Of course it would be better

if someone was on the panel who knew Andrzej.

Here you are.

Thank you.

"When your ship fails you…

your whole life seems to fail you."

It's "world" not "life", in fact.

Yes, come in.

-Are you okay? -Yeah, yeah.

Er… Have you got a cigarette?

I can't sleep.

Mm-hmm.

Thanks.

How come you're here all the time?

It's my job.

I know, but you must do shifts though?

Let's just say you're a patient who needs a little extra attention.

Mm-hmm.

What about your family?

I don't have a family.

Well, good night.

When I was in the water…

I just kept staring at the sky.

Do you know what was the worst part of all?

What?

That there was nobody…

…who said anything.

Who said

that everything would work out.

And they all just died out there, completely alone.

Nobody helped them.

You're safe now.

Everything will work out.

You'll be well looked after.

Okay?

You're safe now. It's okay.

WARSAW 16 JANUARY

-Morning. -Morning.

Look after the soup, yeah?

Are we on time? What time is he due in Świnoujście?

In the afternoon. It's all good. We'll be there.

Your husband was born lucky.

You know the captain lived around here. Close by, anyway.

-On Drozda? -Mm.

What does that Kenwood cost?

-Safe journey. -Thank you. Thank you.

-Goodbye. -Goodbye.

God bless.

-Thank you. -Goodbye.

Ah.

-Goodbye. -Our hero.

-Take care. -Thank you.

-Good luck. -Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you all.

-Take care! -Thank you. We appreciate it.

-Safe journey. -Thank you.

-Bye. -All the best!

I'll escort you, in case there's any trouble.

Normally, the crossing in Świnoujście is closed at this hour,

but they agreed to open it especially for you,

so you wouldn't have to wait in the queue when we get to Kołbaskowo.

-Anyway, all aboard. In you go. -Thank you very much.

You're welcome. Come on, it's getting dark.

Let's go. Thank you! Goodbye!

Do you know what's happening here?

This blue van here. Go ahead.

Hey!

-Krzyś! Lulu! -Hey, Witek!

Hey, Witek!

-Oh, man! -By the grace of God!

And all of this time, I thought I'd be alone.

-Jesus! I thought… -We won't give up without a fight!

-No way! -Lulu!

How'd you all get saved?

Krzyśtof saved us, mumbling all those Hail Mary's.

Calm down will you!

Marek!

-You did it! You did it! -Witek!

-You did it, Ryszard! -We're alive!

-Hey! -Oh my, oh my! And Zbyszek!

-And Tadzio! -Hi, Witek!

Hi! Hi.

So how did they get you all out?

Dunno, it was some fucking miracle.

The Germans made a total fucking mess.

They had four goes at trying to get me out of there.

Four goes at it!

A little something from the Polish authorities to celebrate!

-Back in style! -Krzysztof!

-For your Hail Mary's! Come on! -No, no, no!

-Drink up! -Have it!

-This guy! -You deserve it!

If it's from the authorities, you gotta drink!

POLISH-GERMAN BORDER

They were due here 20 minutes ago.

The orchestra's gonna freeze to fucking death.

Relax, they must be used to being this cold.

Each week they play in the bishop's cathedral

to the glory of the episcopate.

They're coming!

Huh! Let's get started, then. Yeah…

Stay back! Thank you, relatives!

You've arrived back safely!

You're here, at last!

Hello! Hello!

Thank goodness! We're so glad.

-It'll be okay. You're finally here! -Marta!

You are most welcome!

Find your loved ones!

Hi, hello. Welcome, hi!

Hello! Welcome back! Hi. Hi!

I'm so glad, gentlemen.

Oh, there they are!

Oh, hi!

Let's go!

Excuse me.

So good you're back! I'm so happy!

Excuse me, would you?

Excuse me!

Hi, hello.

You see, everybody?

Navica Ferries will not leave you hanging! Trust me!

-Excuse me. Excuse me. -Dad's back? He's here!

Here, come through. Come through.

It's good to see you. Your mother's been a wreck.

Is there… Is there another bus?

Why would they need that?

My husband must be on the other bus.

-There is no other bus. -He's not on board, I'm telling you!

What did she say?

Apparently her husband's not got off the bus.

-What are you talking about? -My husband hasn't got off that bus!

Hang on a minute. Kazio!

Come here, will you?

This lady says her husband's not here.

Could you tell me your husband's name please?

Kaczkowski!

There, "Kaczkowski". It's written right here, I'll show you.

He's… He's over there!

That's not my husband though, is it?

What do you mean?

I don't know what's going on.

But all of the survivors are here.

That's not…

That's not everyone.

That's not everyone!

That is not him!