Less of a Stranger (2026) Movie Script

[electric guitar feedback]
LESS OF A STRANGER
[distant cheering]
[crowd cheering, whistling]
[man] You know what really pisses me off?
When someone tries to control me.
-[band] One. Two.
-[crowd in distance] Lady Pank!
10 MINUTES EARLIER
-Three. Four.
-[crowd] -Lady Pank! Lady Pank!
Five!
[man 2] Who's in charge here?
[crowd] Lady Pank! Lady Pank!
-Me, I'm in charge.
-[man 2] The Polish People's Republic.
[man 3] Main Office Of Control.
You're Borysewicz?
My band is called Lady Pank.
Lady Pank!
[man 3] About that song of yours,
"Less than Zero."
Some of the top brass
have analyzed it carefully
and are worried it may be misunderstood
by some of your fans,
We wouldn't want
our country's young people
to associate such a lively song
with such tragic events.
[man 2] And in the end, we all want
our country to be peaceful, don't we?
Lady Pank! Lady Pank!
-Sorry, it's our biggest hit.
-[man 3] But you have other songs, right?
Lady Pank! Lady Pank!
What do you say?
Can we come to an agreement?
Or do we start
beating your fans heads in with sticks?
[Borysewicz] Sometimes, to move forward,
you have to compromise.
-Okay.
-[man 3] Good. That's settled.
[crowd cheering loudly]
[Borysewicz] Or not.
["Less than Zero" playing]
[in Polish] Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You like to think
You amount to something
'Cause you got brains
Two arms and zest
Your rightful place
In the world is secured
By top-scored high school final exams
There are those
It's no joke
To whom you're worth
Less than zero
Less than zero
Oh, oh, oh, oh
[crowd cheering]
[exciting guitar solo]
[indistinct yelling]
-[music fades]
-[car engine chugging]
Let go, damn it!
Let go, Dad.
Let go! [grunts]
[dad] Get in the house!
[Borysewicz] There's always been someone
trying to make decisions for me.
The Communists, my father,
and you and your band
of cassocked warriors
Back then, I didn't know what it was
that drove me to rebel
against everything and everyone.
Did you?
Mother always said you knew everything.
[woman] Janek! Andrzej!
[Borysewicz]There was only one thing
I didn't rebel against.
Music.
And there was always music in my life.
Even if it wasn't the kind of music
I wanted to listen to.
[in Polish] Geese across the water
Ducks across the water
Run away girl
Or they'll peck you up
I'll give you a kiss
You'll give me a kiss
I won't tell on you
And you won't tell on me
A little red apple
Rolls along the ground
What's the salad doing over there?
Has anybody tried it at least?
-Mom, we got it, okay?
-Why isn't it in the middle?
Oh, Jesus, sorry.
We'll put it in the middle, okay?
Run away girl
Or they'll peck you up
I'll give you a kiss
You'll give me a kiss
I won't tell on you
And you won't tell on me
[woman 2] Good health, my darling.
I wish you good health.
Good health.
Who's gonna beat this damn thing
if not you? You can do it.
Mm. What "damn thing"?
I'm better every day.
You'll see, I'll beat it.
I'll make it to
the Jasna Gora Monastery before anyone.
-Micha, bring a vase, please.
-Yeah.
Well, uh, I'll get you some--
-Careful!
-Whoa!
Can you stop? Quit messing around!
Go get a rag.
Clean up this mess! Put water in it.
[sighs]
Sorry.
[footsteps padding]
[chuckles] Useless, both of them.
Useless. To your health, my dear.
One. Two.
-What's that about?
-I came up with it the other day.
Whenever I get bored or pissed off,
if I count to five, something happens.
Like what, exactly?
Hm. Cool things, I guess. I don't know.
You have to trust me. It works. Try it.
Ah, I'm up for it.
One. Two.
Three.
Four. Five?
["Voodoo Child" by
the Jimi Hendrix Experience playing]
[Micha] What the fuck is going on?
Do you go out of your way
to make my life miserable?
Your poor mother's trying
to put on a brave face.
Have you ever heard of this?
What kind of music is this?
You think this is music?
This damned rock and roll?
[Borysewicz] It was then I realized
Come on, get to it.
even if the whole world tried to stop me
[door closes]
I would make and play the music I loved.
["Voodoo Child" resumes playing]
And don't be late
Don't be late
'Cause I'm a good child, good child
Lord knows I'm a good child
Hey
[teacher] Don't love this one
Don't like this one
Pa, pa, pa, pa, pa
From the top!
Pa, pa, pa, pa
[Borysewicz] I realized
that everything I had in my head
could be expressed with sounds.
-[teacher] Rhythm!
-[Borysewicz] You just have to find them.
[teacher] Pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa
-Pa, pa
-[glockenspiel tinkling randomly]
[boy whispering] He's such a weirdo!
[teacher] Hey, virtuoso!
Get it together!
-[Borysewicz grunts]
-[kids laughing]
All of you, shut up!
Once more.
[in Polish] I have
An embroidered handkerchief
Keep the rhythm.
-Pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa, pa
-[kids playing]
[girl 1] There he is. Don't look!
[girl 2] Oh my gosh, he's looking!
He just looked at you.
-He's just so weird, don't you think?
-She likes him! I guess he's kinda cute.
What are you hovering for, Virtuoso?
Invite her for ice cream or whatever.
[Borysewicz] No way! She's with her girls.
[boy] What, are you afraid of a girl?
Talk to her, Borysewicz!
["A to Ohyda" by Lady Pank playing]
[boy 2] Janek, let it go!
He'll beat the shit out of you!
Janek, I shouldn't have told you!
Janek, are you crazy? [sighs]
You beat up my brother?
And what? You came back for more?
[Janek grunting angrily]
[man grunts]
[Janek breathing heavily]
-My sister hits harder.
-You hit like my grandpa.
I did time in Kleczkowksa, you know?
[Janek] And a 13-year-old kicked your ass?
[chuckling]
You believe the mouth on this kid?
You from around here? From Sepolno?
Now apologize to my brother.
[tense music playing]
[chuckling]
FIGHTING CAUSES AND EFFECTS
OF DISABILITY/MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY
[Janek] When I was a kid,
I wasn't afraid of anything.
I thought we were immortal,
me and the people I loved.
That you were somehow watching over us.
Uh, Mom?
But they said we'd have to wait.
That it'd take a year.
Where'd you get that?
Some new friends helped us.
We fixed it up and painted it.
[mom sighs]
Boys, no!
-[Janek] Watch out!
-[mom] God help me!
[Janek] Watch out! Watch out!
Everyone out of the way!
-Whoa, easy!
-[mom] Dear God.
CHRISTMAS TREES
-Okay, it's okay. Out of the way.
-[woman] Careful with that.
[mom] Oh! Oh!
Come on, come on! Out of the way!
-Dear God! Jesus, Mary, go back!
-Where are you going?
Sorry! Sorry!
[man] Where do you think you're going?
Back of the line.
We're escorting our sick mother!
-[man 2] Who does she think she is?
-[girl] Whoa, what are you
-One fifty.
-[Janek] Excuse me.
-Don't cut the line.
-No cutting!
[brother] Only pork can save her.
I'm sorry.
[man] Everyone out! There's no more meat.
Sir, please help us.
My mother's getting worse every day.
She's not the only one.
[Janek] C'mon, everybody knows
you keep some left over for your friends!
[man] Brat! Get that wheelchair out.
I'll call the militia.
You'll end up in a wheelchair yourself
if you don't shut up.
They can have some of my cut.
Your cut?
My cut.
[uneasy music playing]
Mm.
-[woman] Oh my God.
-[rock music playing]
[woman 2] One thirty.
[mom] Janek, the roast is burning.
Janek!
I don't want it in my lap.
I look like a cripple.
Your cooking is lousy, son. You know that?
Turn it upside down
so no one has to look at it.
-[doorbell rings]
-[Micha sighs]
Jesus Christ.
Here's the priest. Mind your manners.
Come and sit down.
[Micha] God bless you. Come in.
-[door closes]
-[Micha chuckles]
Father, let me take this.
Praised be Jesus Christ.
Forever and ever, amen.
How are you, Mrs. Borysewicz?
Bless you, father. God hasn't seen fit
to call me home quite yet.
[priest] Hmm. Shall we pray?
Dear Lord, please watch over this house.
May your saints and angels dwell
in this home and keep us in peace.
And may your blessing accompany us
always and forever.
-In Jesus Christ, our Lord.
-Amen.
[Micha] Amen.
Would you like some tea, Father?
-Yes, thank you.
-Andrzej, put the kettle on.
Good?
[priest] Don't Andrzej
and Janek go to church?
-I have to remind them to, but they go.
-Here. A little holy picture for you.
Thank you.
"God bless you," you should say.
And this is for your brother.
Nowadays, the youth have no respect
for any kind of authority at all.
Not for the priest,
not for their teachers,
not their poor parents.
Not even the barber, it would seem.
[priest and Micha chuckling]
He's got sideburns as if he were
I won't say anything more.
I don't want to offend
our Lord and Savior, after all.
Why is that? Are you jealous, Father?
-[uneasy music playing]
-[priest sighs]
[Janek grunts, breathes heavily]
-Where does this rebellion come from?
-[mom] He's not rebellious, Father.
Rock and roll gets into his head,
poisonous stuff.
[door slams]
[Micha] Gonna calm down?
You can cut my hair if you want.
It's just gonna grow back.
[Micha] Oh, yeah? We'll see about that.
-Let me go!
-Hold on. Wait, wait, wait. Okay, cut it.
[Janek sobbing]
Stop. It's for the best, son.
Now you won't look like a punk anymore.
Please, just stop it!
Can you believe he embarrassed us
in front of the priest?
[mom] Your father means well.
He was a musician, you know.
He understands what it's like.
Who cares? Just 'cause he got nowhere,
I shouldn't try to succeed?
Here you go.
More pills. Thank you.
He should just shut up.
One day, I'm gonna have my own band.
Would you get me a spoon?
[Janek] We'll play rock and roll.
And we'll be everywhere.
And I'll be on the radio and on TV.
One day, I'll be the best.
And I'm going to America.
We'll be famous. I'll be a star!
Yes, I know you will, son.
[Janek sighs]
[Andrzej] Let's count, okay? One.
[Janek] One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Hey, it just struck midnight.
-Happy birthday, bro.
-[delighted chuckling]
Yes!
-[both chuckling]
-[Janek sighs happily]
[chuckles]
[guitar music playing]
[Andrzej] This is G-major.
This one is E-minor.
Press down hard.
[Janek] Like this?
-[Andrzej]You got it!
-[Janek] Ha-ha!
C-major.
A-minor.
[Janek] Do you remember
how my road to the top began?
[teacher] D-minor.
[Janek] With a Czechoslovakian guitar
and music lessons at the community center.
Pretty soon, it turned out
the community center was too small for me.
[cool guitar music playing]
Pretty good, isn't he?
[teacher] Nice combination.
Interesting technique.
Show me how you play that.
-Now I'm supposed to teach you?
-[kids snickering]
[Janek] I quickly outgrew
the music school,
but thanks to some new friends,
I was able to dive
into some deeper waters.
[in Polish] You'd be the sun
And I'd be the shadow
If only you would change
[Andrzej] The pharmacy's run out
of Mother's meds.
They could import them from the GDR,
but it would take a month.
Maybe you could ask around?
Are you listening, Dad?
Hey. Watch how you talk to your father.
-Mom needs her medication!
-Who's gonna pay for the medication, you?
[mom] Calm down both of you, please.
[car horn beeping outside]
Hey, Mozart. Come on.
You're playing today!
What?
At the community center in Legnica.
Just grab your guitar and get down here!
I don't even know
any of your songs, Krzychu!
[Krzychu] You can learn on the way.
Where are you going?
Hey, Janek, are you deaf?
-You're not going anywhere with that scum.
-Yeah? Try and stop me.
Leave him alone!
Just let him go!
Good. Let's go!
[music fades]
[man] You're not gonna play that?
It's fine, play this.
Now, don't scratch it. It's a rental.
[man] Krzychu, this won't work.
The kid's barely past his first communion.
[Krzychu] This is what we're playing.
You got one hour.
Are you for real? [chuckles]
-[rock music playing through headphones]
-[strumming guitar]
-Check him out. Jimi Hendrix.
-[Krzychu chuckling]
[Janek] I pictured myself on stage
in front of a crowd at Wembley stadium.
What's the matter? You gonna puke?
Play with your back to the audience
or upside down, I don't care.
-Just play something, you got it?
-And don't puke on the guitar.
Hang on. No!
[indistinct chattering]
[applause]
[drumsticks tapping]
[rock beat playing]
[Krzychu] Plug it in!
[feedback rasps]
[feedback whines]
Play! Play!
[indistinct murmuring]
One.
Two.
Three.
Four. Five.
[whooping in audience]
Janek! Come on!
-[Janek] Ginger, right?
-It's Kashka.
I like your hair! Is it real?
You're really good.
Are you planning on making a solo album?
Not until I've written something
as good as Jimi.
-Who's that?
-Hendrix.
Oh yeah, he's the famous drummer
who lives in Hungary, right?
He wrote "The Girl with the Golden Hair."
That's Magda.
Hairdresser from Obin. Complete nutcase.
What are you drinking?
[in Polish] Beads in her hair
And blue eyebrows
A golden razor blade shines
In her jacket's flap pocket
After the concert
In front of the hotel
She is waiting like a stubborn puppy
Until her idol with a guitar
Finally gives her a sign
From Friday to Saturday
She goes all in
A lost butterfly
Little Lady Pank
[both moaning, breathing heavily]
[Janek] I was climbing higher and higher.
Town to town, one band to the next.
I kept getting recommendations.
Grzesiek Ciechowski, Iza Trajanowska,
to name a few.
If you got everyone I played with
in one room,
what a party that would be.
[horse neighs]
[Janek] I had quite the resume
for a teenager.
Tadek Nalepa, Mira Kubasinska,
they showed me the way to something else.
They played concerts in the West,
imported caviar and whiskey.
But more than that, they showed me
the rock and roll lifestyle,
in defiance of the system.
Freedom.
Oh! Fuck. Oh.
Ugh.
-That shit's disgusting. What is it?
-[man] Sturgeon's eggs.
-You're doing it wrong.
-What the fuck?
Oh really?
Baby, it's all right now
[Janek] Ah, ah, ah, ah!
Whoa! Hey, whoa!
Fuck, I just bought this jacket, No!
Ooh!
Tenth time's the charm, promise.
Mogielnicki.
- Mogiel.
-Janek.
-Drink up.
-[man] Nice!
[Janek] Mm.
[spluttering]
Whoo! Oof.
Ugh. Do I know you? Are you a musician?
Lyricist, please.
I'm working on a new record.
-Budka Suflera. You want another?
-Uh-huh, yeah.
Prost!
Drink up.
I told them, "Your music might sound good,
but without my lyrics,
you've got nothing."
-In the beginning was the word.
-Get off me with that thing.
According to what you just said,
in the beginning there was,
there was no music.
-Words are limiting.
-Hello, good madam.
Oh! Okay.
Words are limiting
only to those who are limited.
You're being insulting.
If music came first,
bloody Saint John would have mentioned it.
-Take that back.
-Take what back?
-Take it back.
-What? The Bible?
Have a drink.
[rock music playing]
[Mogiel] People, take back The Bible!
Ah! Ah!
You dick!
Get up, you prick!
Sorry, Mario, about the glasses, dude!
All right. Come on!
[women whooping]
Whoo! Whoo!
Janek!
Janek, are you alive?
Janek! Janek!
[Janek groans]
-He's alive!
-[guests cheering]
Mwah!
[gentle guitar melody playing]
[music fades]
That's good. Yours?
Just a little thing I'm trying out.
So stop trying already.
You have vision. You have flair.
Dare to do something
that's yours and yours alone.
I'm small time.
I'm not big enough to compose.
You know, if my man Tadek
from small-town Rzezowa can do it,
anybody can really.
[Janek playing guitar melody]
[Mogiel] Brrp.
Did I mention last night
that Romek Lipko from Budka Suflera
needs a guitarist?
[Janek scoffs]
[playing guitar riff]
[Janek] I was handed
a one-in-a-million chance.
To play for the leader
of the most popular rock band in Poland.
Not too long after learning
my first chords in music school,
I found myself
at the top of the food chain.
[rock melody playing]
Whoo!
[music fades]
[solemn music playing]
[door closes]
[Janek] Mom?
Andrzej, I'm going to a concert in Warsaw.
Is Dad around?
No. Business trip.
-Again?
-Again.
But still, you'll be able to manage
with Mom alone, right?
[mom] My legs may not work,
but my hearing is fine.
Andrzej, can you go with Janek,
maybe help him carry all of his gear
to the station?
-Did you sleep okay? You look tired.
-Just go, okay?
Let's go. Stop being a pain in the ass.
Did you hear Dad come back yesterday?
No. Why?
He went into Mom's room. He was tipsy.
I heard something fall,
so I peeked in to check on them.
Mom was lying on the floor,
Dad beside her
Jesus.
grabbing her legs and saying,
"Exercise, love."
"You've got to fucking exercise,
or else you won't be able to walk."
"Things will get better tomorrow.
It'll get better tomorrow," over and over.
[Janek] Did they see you?
No. No, Dad was gone this morning.
I've just been thinking that
things, they won't ever get better.
Not tomorrow, not ever.
She took me on a pilgrimage once,
and I thought I'd die of boredom.
And now I'd give anything.
Janek, I would give anything
for her to go with me.
If she could just walk there
on her own two feet again.
[bell rings]
[announcement] Final boarding call
for the 4:15 train to Warsaw.
Final boarding call
for the 4:15 to Warsaw.
Passengers, please make your way
to the platform.
Once again,
this is the final boarding call.
Get on.
We're going home.
-Are you nuts?
-We're going now.
Romek would kill me if Budka had to cancel
a concert because of me.
Hurry. Before this heap of junk takes off.
[melancholy music playing]
[whistle blows]
You and me can do that pilgrimage
when I get back!
[crowd murmuring in distance]
[chuckles]
For courage.
[Janek playing guitar melody]
[music stops]
Andrzej?
Andrzej?
[rock music resumes]
[crowd cheering]
Andrzej! [grunts]
[gasps]
[rock melody playing]
[mom grunting]
Andrzej!
[guitar solo]
[mom grunting, whimpering]
Andrzej!
[Andrzej grunting, scrabbling]
Andrzej!
Andrzej!
[Janek] I played like I was in a trance.
And I had no idea
that just a few hundred kilometers away,
the world I'd known since I was a child
was falling apart.
[siren wailing]
MILITIA
[man chuckling]
What? Girlfriend dumped him,
and he offed himself?
In a hurry to join your brother?
[in Polish] Yesterday, I jumped
I had wings like a bird
Once in a lifetime
Everyone must have felt it
Someone suddenly shouted
"That's how we'd all like it to be!"
Something grabbed me
And pulled me down
The final cry the swan's last song
[Janek] That's what
I could never forgive you for.
That Andrzej went to you with his problems
instead of me.
And you didn't stop him.
So are you really that surprised
that I rebelled against you too?
[music fades]
[bell rings]
-[priest] Praised be Jesus Christ.
-[congregation] Forever and ever, amen.
In the name of the Father,
and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We are gathered here today
to bid farewell to Andrzej Borysewicz.
[congregation singing in Polish]
Our Lord
Give him
Eternal rest
Good Jesus
[Janek] I never felt
such a terrifying chill.
That's why I didn't let my mother
say goodbye to him.
I didn't want her
to remember him like this.
Then, she might have grown
to hate you like I did,
and she would've been left with nothing.
["Sztuka latania Powraca"
by Lady Pank playing]
Have strength, dear.
Micha, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Let me know if you need anything.
Thank you for being here.
[Janek] I wondered then
if you even existed at all.
Because if you did, it was even worse.
Because it meant
you were playing with our suffering.
That you were a monster.
[Micha] Thank you very much.
Good morning.
Good morning.
How much for this?
It's a fine guitar. You sure about this?
[Magda] Hey.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Doc says I'm, uh
The doctor told me that I am pregnant.
[Janek exhales sharply]
Please let's talk.
[Janek] Fuck.
No fucking way.
[Magda sighs]
-You'll marry me, then.
-That's really sweet.
[Janek] Yeah. [chuckles]
Janek.
-What's up?
-I don't want a rock star.
One child in the house is hard enough.
[in Polish] Generally speaking
Life is brutal
Other than that, everything's perfect
Life is brutal
Other than that, everything's perfect
-[music fades]
-[door closes]
[mom grunts]
I'm home.
You have guests.
[man] Oh!
Our long lost Matejko.
[Janek] What are you doing here?
How do I put this, Janek?
Can't wait for you forever.
Spoke with Pagart.
Netherlands tour is all set.
We even got passports.
I went to hell and back for you.
Some shit about assaulting an officer.
-They were trying to screw you over.
-I just don't I can't go.
[mom] Gonna paint ceilings
for the rest of your life?
Janek, you have to go with the boys.
You have to play. I'll be fine alone.
For you.
From Janusz, the, uh, pawn shop guy.
["Bez Satysfakcji" by Lady Pank playing]
Pack now.
[in Polish] I was barely taller
Than a meter
Let's play!
I thought everything would come true
That I would become who I want
[Janek] It wasn't what I imagined,
this tour with one
of the most popular bands in Poland.
But I figured it would change
once we got there.
That we'd see the West.
This beautiful new world
that I'd dreamed of so often.
-Freedom.
-I'm saving some for Mr. Kazia.
He doesn't drink behind the wheel.
That's why we stop so often, am I right?
-Pretty simple, isn't it?
-[Janek laughs]
-All right, a toast to our success!
-To our success!
-[Janek laughs]
-[band whooping]
To go through life only on stage
And I strongly believed in it
THE NETHERLANDS 1980
You have to admit it's a small dream
Ladies and gentlemen, get ready.
Here's a terrific musical performance
out of Poland!
[soft rock music playing]
[man] Can I get a scotch on the rocks?
-Cheers. Prost, as they say.
-Cheers.
Romek, the audience is almost asleep.
We have to wake them up.
We need to bring the heat.
As if anything could help them.
These guys are dead.
[Janek] At least let's play
more fast songs. Let's go.
[Mogiel] Junior's right.
Not gettin' any younger.
When Junior's got his own band,
then he can decide what and when we play.
Get off my back.
[man 2] Romek!
-[Romek] Yeah, boss?
-Any smokes?
-[Mogiel] No.
-[Romek] What end of the season?
-It's not what we agreed.
-It's not working out.
Not here. Go! Go!
[Romek] What do you mean, go?
You booked us!
-Man, are we fired?
-[Romek] Are you serious?
[boss] I'm sorry.
-[Romek] Guys, they screwed us over.
-He screwed us.
What are we supposed to do now?
Go home? We can't even afford gas!
Guys! Be cool.
Poles always help out Poles.
My father-in-law is rich.
You'll make way more money than here.
Starts immediately. Okay?
Where'd you book us?
[playing funeral march]
[Janek] If ever I believed
you had a sense of humor,
it would be then.
In an old church
some eccentric millionaire had decided
to turn into his very own mansion.
I wondered whether it pissed you off
or made you laugh.
This is pointless. I could swing a brush
just was well in Poland.
[Romek] Yeah? What do you think
Markowski from Perfect did
when he went to the West, huh?
Or Nalepa?
Oh yeah? Let me guess.
They made more working
than playing concerts, right?
[Romek] Yeah. What's wrong with that?
Let them think back in Poland
we play stadiums
with a million people or something.
[Janek scoffs]
[Romek] Hey, cowboy. Get down from there!
-Come down, I said!
-[Janek] I'm done with this crap.
I'm going back to Poland
and starting my own band.
We'll sell millions of records.
I'll never have to paint another building!
Yeah? Well,
no one's gonna follow a lunatic.
I'm in, brother!
[Romek] You're both fucking nuts.
It's fine. It's fine.
Everything's fine. Sorry.
Get the fuck down here.
Told you!
Whoo!
-[Janek] Holy fuck!
-[Mogiel chuckling]
Oh my God.
[Janek] It was meant to happen
from the very start.
There was never any Plan B.
In fact, I've always had
one single goal in my life,
and that was to have my own band
and take the world by storm.
[rock music playing]
[man] Can I help you?
Uh
Acoustic? Semi-acoustic? Telecaster?
Strat, huh? [chuckles]
Mm-hmm.
Good choice. Gilmour, Eric Clapton.
Deep Purple,
Ritchie Blackmore.
-May I?
-Yeah, go ahead. Sit.
[soft feedback]
Hendrix.
What's the damage?
Twenty-five hundred.
Uh-huh.
That's all I have.
Two, three, three-fifty
It's not enough. Sorry, it's not enough.
[Janek] Hm.
[clerk sighs]
[Janek playing tune]
[clerk chuckles]
Hey, Hendrix. Wait a sec.
Little gift.
Thanks.
Mom? I'm back!
[melancholy music playing]
Mom?
What are you shouting for?
What happened?
-[lighter flicks open]
-[Micha sighs]
What happened to her?
Better than yesterday, yes.
[Janek breathing heavily]
Mom. I'm taking you out of here.
I'm sorry.
Baby, wait. Stop. Settle down, okay?
It'll be better this way, Janek.
[Janek sighs]
[mom] I heard your band play.
On the radio.
God blessed you
with the touch of his finger, my son.
God's got nothing to do with it.
[Janek sniffles]
-[baby fussing]
-[Magda shushing]
[chuckles]
No, no, no, no, no, not yet.
-She's calm. Please stop. Whatever.
-She likes it.
[Magda] Not like that.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!
She might get scared, okay?
Come. Okay. She might get scared, okay?
-Here.
-No. No, Janek, no.
-Take it. It's okay.
-She already puts everything in her mouth.
Please, no.
Right? Everything, right?
Everything goes into that little mouth!
Magda, let's start over again.
My friend Mogiel's mom, uh, Mogiela,
move in with them.
We could stay with them in Warsaw
until we find a place of our own.
-No, no.
-Listen, Wrocaw is a backwater city.
I want a band.
I have to get the best musicians.
[Magda] Janek.
I must I must be the very best.
What if you came with me on tour?
You, me, and Zosia.
One big happy family. We'll be together.
Please, just don't.
There you go. It's okay.
We'll make it our home. Our home.
[Zosia crying softly]
I don't want
I don't want my child to have to live
the same miserable life
my father gave to us kids.
[Magda sighs]
[Zosia crying]
-[Magda soothing]
-[Janek playing gentle guitar melody]
[Magda chuckles]
-[Zosia crying]
-[Magda shushing]
You see what you've done?
Now you see? You've upset her.
Oh my, what's wrong? What's wrong?
-Aw. [chuckles]
-[footsteps approaching]
[Magda] Aw. Oh, and who's this?
Look who's here, sweetie.
Can you take her, honey?
-Hmm. I got you.
-[Magda] It's okay. Look, it's Wiktor.
[Magda sighs]
Hey.
-Come here, it's okay, Zosia.
-My fianc.
We were pretty much a one-night stand.
And now we have a child together.
I'm really sorry.
[Janek chuckles softly]
[disbelieving chuckle]
[chuckling]
[chuckling because gentle sobbing]
Fellow citizens of this,
our beloved People's Republic of Poland.
Today I speak to you as a soldier
How's it going, boys? Sticking with
your plan to take over the world?
Do you even have a name yet?
-Andrzej came up with the name "Gravel."
-[Mogiela] "Gravel?"
But I think it should be something
foreigners can pronounce without choking.
You're right.
Do something simple, you know?
Something that's easy to remember,
like ABBA or Bajm.
They have increasingly
overwhelmed our people
[Mogiel] We could name it
after one of our songs.
"Crisis Bride."
Too bad "Crisis" is already taken.
-Not "Little Lady Punk."
-Mm. Wait.
We will tie the hands of the troublemakers
before they throw the homeland
into the abyss.
Look. Lady Punk.
Yeah, but we don't play punk.
They have identified a sharp and dramatic
decline in morality of the Polish people.
What do you think?
Would you go to a concert for Lady Punk?
[man on TV] These are matters
of the utmost importance.
And so today, I hereby impose
the Constitution
of the Council of National Salvation.
The Council of State,
in accordance with the Constitution,
introduced martial law
starting at midnight tonight
to be enforced across the country.
-So what, are we gonna be drafted now?
-I have no fucking idea.
I don't think so, but what's the point?
It's all turned to shit.
Concerts are banned?
What do we need a band for?
[upbeat music playing]
-[man] Out of the way!
-[Janek] What's up?
[Mogiel] Hey!
-[man grunting]
-[Mogiel] Come on!
Get off, get off, get off!
[whistle blowing]
[whistle blowing]
[Janek] Let's get the fuck outta here!
[Janek] Where were you
when we were getting our ribs kicked in
instead of playing guitar?
Forget that.
What matters is that it made us realize
that we needed to play even louder.
Fuckers treat us like we're subhuman.
What are we to them? Zero?
[Mogiel] Even less than that!
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Oh! Oh!
-Oh, oh, oh, oh!
-Oh, oh, oh, oh!
[both yelling] Less than zero!
Less than zero!
-Are you crazy or something? You nut!
-Oh, oh, oh, oh!
-What are you screaming for?
-Okay.
-Shut the fuck up!
-Sorry.
Mogiel! I'll ring your bell you shits!
-Less than zero! Less than zero!
-Stop! Shut your yap!
-[both] Oh, oh, oh, oh!
-Don't make me come down there!
That's it!
Keep this up, and we'll have
enough material for a whole record! Whoo!
[Janek in Polish] Somebody
[strumming guitar]
Somebody's grabbing me
And squeezing his fingers
On my throat so hard
That I lose my breath
I kill him to
To get a medal
Let's try another, maybe, what if
When do we get to the chorus?
Sometime around Easter?
-As soon as I get there, Andrzej.
-You're there. It's ready.
-It doesn't have to be perfect.
-Yeah, it does, man.
It's good! And um, are you gonna
play all the instruments yourself?
We need a drummer, a good one.
A bass guitar.
-Oh! A good singer's important.
-[Janek] Yeah.
This time, I'm the lead singer.
["Fabryka Map" by Lady Pank playing]
Who's on rhythm guitar?
Stasiak.
-[horn honking]
-[gasps]
-[in Polish] Somebody's grabbing me
-Hop in, we're going.
-And squeezing his fingers
-Is this everyone?
And these two.
ODDZIA ZAMKNI RAISES THE TEMPERATURE
-Losers? They've only played at proms!
-They're really good!
Are you crazy, Borysewicz?
It's past curfew.
This is a Polish TV and radio van.
Works round the clock.
Band can drive any time.
Who's playing with us?
Listen. Do you hear yourself?
Are you serious?
Their band's called "Closed Ward"!
Who's the girl in the window?
-[Janek] That's Mundek. Guitar.
-[chuckles]
Wherever I look
There's a jungle around
Oh, no, Mr. Kazio.
In my fucking band, the driver can drink
as much as everybody else.
Thank you, sir!
Hey, I think we just left Warsaw!
[Janek] Okay. You got a choice.
Either you can stay stuck here,
and in five, ten years,
nobody will remember who you are,
or you can come with me,
take a chance at immortality.
[man chuckles]
We're under martial law, man.
We can't do shows anywhere.
It's just for the moment.
Policy will change someday.
When it does, we'll be ready
because we believed. Hm?
[man 2 sighs]
Think they'll go for it?
[man 2] So we're supposed to
drop everything
because Uncle Sam
and the Polish Jimi Hendrix here
decided martial law was
a good time for kielbasa?
-[Janek] Mm-hmm.
-[suspenseful music playing]
Okay. Got nothing to do anyway.
-Whoo!
-Let's do this.
Fuck yeah. Yes!
[Janek] We were all set,
our golden lineup complete.
Or, at least, so I thought.
Mogiel had other ideas.
-[Mogiel] At least give him a chance!
-What for? It's fine the way it is.
I even put it to the guys,
and they agree. Guys! Szlaga!
Let's hear it!
Just, he was saying
You're a great band leader, okay,
but you're not a very good singer.
Mundek!
Say something.
You're always hiding your voice.
Always hanging back. Kapiszon.
-What the fuck is going on?
-[Mogiel] Look.
Sometimes you don't even open your eyes
when you're on stage.
I gave him cassettes and some lyrics.
He'll be here in a minute.
Yeah, but who? Who is this guy anyway?
That's him.
Mogiel, what the fuck? We need to talk.
Are you fucking with me? Is that it?
Soldiers are marching everywhere,
the streets are full of tanks.
You bring in GI fucking Joe
to sing for us?
-Reporting for duty. I'm Panas.
-Private Kapiszon.
-[Mogiel] He sings in the military choir.
-[Janek] I'm sorry, where?
I wasn't one of the guys
who invaded [stutters] Czcoslovcia.
Wait, wait, wait.
What, are you having a stroke?
No, sorry. I have a bit of a stutter
when I'm nervous.
-Didn't he tell you about me?
-No, he forgot to mention you.
I'm sorry he brought you in for nothing.
I came here to sing, guys.
-[Mogiel] He's here, let him sing.
-[Pasan] Please.
[microphone feedback whines]
[Pasan singing in Polish]
At "Maxim" in Gdynia
Someone saw you again
Throwing green
A mahogany guy
Boney M was playing
The waiter bent in half
Then it drove away
A golden BMW
-Fantastic, right, Kaziu?
-Shut up.
You get one concert.
July 22nd. Come and perform.
I don't think I can make it then.
It's a national holiday.
The choir's got a concert.
Either you fucking lick communist balls
or grow your own and play with my band.
Yeah, but if I tell them I'm singing rock
on the National Day
of the Rebirth of Poland,
I'll get a month serving as a guard
at the jail. Are you crazy?
It sounds like
you've got a choice to make.
[rock music playing]
Whoo! [chuckles]
We're doing this!
-[band] Whoo-hoo!
-Whoo!
I'm free! Hi!
-[chuckles] Excellent!
-You're free, man!
Let's go already! Fucking freezing!
-What?
-[Janek scoffs]
A present from my mom, actually.
She sends me this stuff from Chicago.
Maybe tell her to send you more!
-[Szlagowski] Last one in! Whoo!
-[horn honks]
Move over! Move over!
[indistinct chattering]
Let's give them a round of applause,
ladies and gentlemen!
[Janek] The communists wanted
everyone to look the same.
And us? Not so much.
-[chuckling]
-You're putting on too much! [laughs]
[band] Yeah!
[man] Let's go already!
We don't got all night!
-[man 2] Let's hear some music!
-[woman] Play already!
-[man 2] Nice outfits, ladies!
-[Mogiel] Lady Pank!
[man 2] Sissies!
[man] Start the song!
[crowd jeering]
["Tacz, Gupia, Tacz"
by Lady Pank playing]
PARK CLUB 1982
[in Polish] At "Maxim" in Gdynia
Someone saw you again
Throwing green
A mahogany guy
Boney M was playing
The waiter bent in half
Then it drove away
A golden BMW
Dance, stupid girl
Dance play with your life
Fly straight into the fire
Dance, stupid girl
Dance throw yourself a big ball
That's all you can have today
[crowd cheering loudly]
[Janek] You know what to do?
-And there'll be a pond there, right?
-Can you play? We don't have time.
Gonna breed carp in there.
Okay, I'll count two bars, you come in
on four, and we go into the chorus, okay?
-Yeah, yeah. Same.
-Guys!
-[Janek] Jeez.
-Pick up the pace. We've got three hours.
-[Panas] Let's go.
-[Szlagowski] It's three minutes long.
I'll start, count two bars,
and we go into the chorus.
-[others] Yeah.
-[Janek clears throat]
["Pokrcio Mi Si w Gowie"
by Lady Pank playing]
[in Polish] My head got all twisted--
[Janek] No. Go again. You came in wrong.
-[Szlagowski] No! You came in wrong.
-No, you came in wrong.
How did I come in wrong?
I've been doing it right.
-I do the same lead-in, Jan.
-[Jan] That's the problem. Exactly.
Not like that.
-It's on the four. Do it again. Let's go.
-[Szlagowski arguing]
Don't fucking argue with me.
-[Szlagowski] You fucked it up.
-Okay, just start, okay?
-Let's just start over.
-This is fucking amateur hour.
[band resumes playing]
[Panas in Polish] My head
Got all twisted
[Jan] What the fuck is that? Do it again.
Relax bro. You got it. Just breathe, man.
-[Mogiel] We do not have time.
-He's shitting his fucking pants.
-[Jan] Remember where to come in, okay?
-[Szlagowski] Okay.
[band resumes playing]
My head got all twisted
From events and dates
Let someone finally answer me
Who's gone crazy me or the world?
Oh--
Whoa! Fuck! What happened, Andrzej?
Whoa, Mogiel are you okay?
-Andrzej's got a fire in his pants.
-[Mogiel] Guys, we're really on fire!
-Do we keep playing?
-[Jan] Something's fucked. We can't hear.
-What are you saying?
-You're on fire, all right.
[Mogiel] You think this is funny?
-First I almost drowned, now I'm on fire!
-There's no sound.
[all] Whoa!
[guitar solo]
[crowd cheering]
[inaudible]
[indistinct yelling]
[Jan] There were few times
in my career more beautiful
than the moment when I said
Hey!
Hey, coppers!
Fuck you, pigs. Get lost!
[crowd cheering]
-Everybody get back!
-[Jan] I said get the fuck out!
[Jan] As I watched the crowd run them off,
that's when I realized that even I,
Janek from Sepolna,
have a piece of your power inside of me.
-[clamoring]
-[band playing]
[Jan] That with a guitar in my hands,
I'm a superhero.
[band in Polish]Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Jan playing long riff]
[crowd screaming]
["Zamki Na Piasku" by Lady Pank playing]
Castles on the sand
When the glass is full
Morning shift, welcome
This is your life
Castles on the sand
When the glass is full
[fans screaming]
Morning shift, welcome
This is your life
This is your life
This is your life
This is your life
This is your life
[Jan strumming guitar]
[crowd cheering]
Janek! Janek!
Janek! Janek! Janek! [cheering]
Hey, what's this?
A pick, sweetie.
A pick is used to make pretty sounds.
[playing sweet melody]
And who's this girl?
[stops playing]
[Jan] Her name is Zosia. My my daughter.
Why doesn't she live in the house with us?
Here's one.
[Jan playing gentle melody]
[stops playing] Do you like it?
-Mm. Yes. It's very pretty.
-[resumes playing]
-[man 1 on radio] Three.
-[man 2] Thompson Twins.
-Two.
-Republika.
[man 1] One.
[man 2] Well, just one week ago,
eight votes made the difference.
Today, it's a 53-vote margin.
"Crisis Bride," Lady Pank,
is our number-one hit
for two weeks in a row.
-Congratulations to Lady Pank.
-[cheering]
["Crisis Bride" playing]
Second week in a row, number one!
Fuck yeah!
[in Polish] You could
Have been mine
Another round for everybody! Another!
Drinking with me
Hey, Did you know I play guitar too?
But my father's in the Party,
so I'm shit out of luck
But just one shot, I'd be a fucking smash,
I would fucking rock.
Take me with you,
I'll fucking blow your minds, I swear!
-I promise I'd blow you away!
-[Mcisawski] Have another drink.
[chuckling]
-[Jan] Rich boy down.
-Guess it fucking blew his mind.
-Get his shoes!
-Are you fucking kidding me?
[Mcisawski] Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it!
[Mogiel] Stop it. Come on, guys.
Wait, I got another one! Here!
[Jan] Look at Mogiel!
You got a little something.
[Panas] Wait! You want some?
Hey! Stop! Fuck, you guys!
-This party is over!
-[guests groaning]
[man] Janek, sorry, what's wrong?
We're going home! It's time for bed.
[all groaning]
We're going to bed,
but first we gotta put out the fire!
[all cheering]
[chanting] Lady Pank! Lady Pank!
Lady Pank! Lady Pank!
Fuck yeah!
-We're gonna crash this thing. Hold on!
-You're gonna break your necks!
Yeah, let's go! Whoo!
[in Polish] My crisis bride
Drinking with me
What was brewed for us
You could have been mine
By the muted receiver
Until the break of dawn
Listening to the news
And hitting the gas
More than once
More than once
More than once
[guests cheering]
You could have hit rock bottom
Yet you did not
I can't even put the baby to bed
because there are six hookers in there!
You never even told me
you were coming over.
Right, send a telegram so you could
get rid of them for the night?
Who told me I could come anytime
'cause the room's always waiting for me?
When we met you knew who I was.
This is who I am. You don't own me!
You could have been mine
My crisis bride
Living slowly
Just like we were told
You could have been mine
You could have been poor with me
Instead of wishing me
-Let me do it. Let me do it. Here.
-[groaning]
Merry Christmas
-You could have been at rock bottom
-[bottle clatters on floor]
Never should've believed
you'd be a part of my life forever.
Our life.
What you lost
You could have been at rock bottom
It was fun, Janek.
-You'll never find out
-[Jan groans]
What you lost
You could have been at rock bottom
Come on. Upsy daisy. Back inside with you.
Watch his head! Watch his head!
[Panas] Janek!
Let's go, baby. Come on.
[distant cheering]
Whoa!
Andrzej, you okay down there?
Jan, are you fucking out of your mind?
Didn't you know already?
[Jan] All my life,
you've treated me this way.
You give me a chance,
but then you make me sacrifice something
in return.
Okay.
[poignant music playing]
I'm going to the States.
It was always your dream.
I don't want you here all by yourself.
You're just afraid
that I'll die when you're away.
I keep having this dream
about taking you to New York.
We'd see the city and go to a concert
at Madison Square Garden.
You know I'm afraid
of being left alone in a crowd.
What are you saying, Mom?
We'll go together.
[mom chuckles softly]
You'll be up there.
On the stage, son.
["Less than Zero" playing]
NEW YORK 1985
[in Polish] Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
So, guys. What do you think?
Is this great? Or is this fantastic!
When they see this in Poland,
they'll think we're making fun of them.
Oh dear. Uh what are we supposed to do
if they don't like it?
Hmm. So you don't like it?
But you like it?
I don't like it.
Oh. Well, that's perfect,
'cause I don't like it either.
And if I don't like it,
you don't like it, they don't like it,
kids are gonna love it!
That's basic show-business, baby.
Ah, uh, I think what the CEO means,
of course,
is your opinion is definitely appreciated
and, um, we've just started exploring,
uh, possible options.
Mm. This just doesn't work.
I mean, maybe we made a mistake
by coming here.
Nothing adds up. Tank, a sausage, a dog.
I mean, what the fuck?
Tell him we got
a support gig lined up for him soon.
What the CEO is referring to is, um
-An opener?
-[Stasiak] What, like a warm-up act?
An opener for who? Like, another band?
Tell him.
Listen.
-It's Madonna. Right?
-[chuckling]
[Panas snickering]
-Who?
-[woman] Ah. Um
-Madonna.
-Huh?!
Is she a gospel singer?
[woman] Mm
Yeah. Uh, the track list
for the new album,
and two new songs we want you to record.
Who made the list?
[woman] The CEO also recommends
hiring a new composer.
He's very good.
He worked with The Who, The Stranglers.
-Um, this is the list--
-I don't care who he worked with.
I'm the composer. I write the music,
and Andrzej writes the lyrics.
That's the way it's always been.
He is the sole composer
[man inhales sharply]
This guy thinks we're gonna let him
compose this whole record.
-Thinks he's the Polish Quincy Jones.
-[snickering]
Okay, Janek. Let's go.
I need you too. He obviously doesn't know
what the fuck I'm talking about. Let's go.
Let me ask you a question.
Do you think the Rolling Stones
actually like all of their songs, Janek?
What about, uh, oh, I don't know,
Dylan or, or Springsteen?
You know, they don't fight
over every line or lyric.
Do you know why that is?
It's because they're smart,
and they know
what's good for their careers.
Uh, in other words, um,
you're practically the greatest thing
since, say, the Rolling Stones,
and your lyrics,
I think he's saying are as deep
as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.
Okay, listen. Let me try
to simplify this a little bit.
All we need you to do
is to play your little guitar.
And we will take care of the rest.
[woman] I think what he's trying to say is
what matters most
is your creative freedom, right?
All the label wants, uh, is
for the whole world to hear your guitar.
One more thing.
Your guy, your lead singer?
-Your lead singer's gotta go.
-[woman] Mm.
What he's trying to say is,
the label thinks it would be wise
to perhaps work with an American singer.
-It's just while you're in the States.
-[band snickering]
You're saying
my guys came here to the land of the free
only to give up our own freedoms.
-Have I got that right?
-[woman] Mm.
-Um
-Freedom.
[chuckling] Freedom? No, no.
That This is not what's going on here.
-No, no.
-Am I right?
Boys. Boys.
Listen.
This right here? This is America.
If you wanna make it here, you smile.
That's the gig. That's the job.
And then, you do
what you're fucking told! You got it?
I think you've made it clear, Gary.
Good.
What the fuck was that
-Ciao!
-Smile!
You got something you wanna say?
Yes.
I'm really sorry.
I'd better go. Thanks for everything!
[Gary] Motherfucker.
[fans screaming]
-[woman] Janek!
-[woman 2] I love you!
[in Polish] What do you have in you?
What do you have in you?
My music
Who knows me so well
My music
Who knows everything about me
My drug
Who will eat me up one day
Relax, Borysewicz.
I won't offer you water,
since you prefer booze.
Unless things have changed?
I promise you,
you won't be leaving the country
in search of glory again
And what makes you think we wanna go back?
Are you guys mind readers?
It's easy to rebel, Borysewicz,
when you believe you're safe from danger.
Ah, but we're always watching you.
Observing your every move.
All the time.
Even when you're with Uncle Sam.
[Jan] Then you know we didn't do
anything interesting over there.
[agent] Quite the contrary.
[Jan] I like this one.
That's cute.
May I tell you a secret?
The Central Committee has taken
an interest in your band.
They consider you
a threat to public order.
[Jan chuckles]
Coming from you, that's a compliment.
[agent] You're funny.
I'll need those photos back.
Or else?
[agent] Just give it back.
Don't worry, comrade. I'll hand it over.
One thing is for certain kid.
-Your rock and roll days are now over.
-[Jan scoffs]
[agent] The Soviet Union will prevail.
I'm not so sure about that, man.
-One more stunt, one more screw-up
-[Jan] And what?
And you and your boys
will not be seeing each other anymore.
You're used to bootlicking.
Wanna kiss my feet?
Funny.
How fast fans turn
when they find out
their rock star hero
is collaborating with us.
Bullshit.
[agent] Or say they find out
you may have been responsible
for your brother's death.
What was his name?
Hung himself, right?
[drum beat intro
to "To Jest Tylko Rock'n'roll"]
[Jan coughing]
Another one.
Double.
Another.
[man] Maybe something
to go with that whiskey?
No way. I'm going home.
This is pure stuff.
You're gonna have fun.
[Jan] For all my friends.
Or maybe you'd like to forget.
Somebody give me a light.
-[exhales sharply]
-[dealer chuckles]
In the name of the Father, I baptize you.
I baptize you. I baptize you.
[Jan] We were sailing on rock and roll
like the Titanic.
Big and unsinkable.
Only I failed to notice
that all those tiny cracks in the hull
were just the tip of the iceberg.
[in Polish] Kings of guitars
The firmament of burnt-out stars
Big show business
And lots of little lies
Gimme some fucking room.
Hit charts
Fuck outta here!
And a few wise guys in the background
A crowd of editors
Sweetly purring that
It's only rock 'n' roll
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh
The simplest rhythm
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh
Something in major and minor
Janek!
Hey! Who took the fucking guitar pick?
Yeah! I got his pick!
[discordant guitar notes]
-Get the fuck outta here!
-Hey!
[man] Get the fuck off the stage, asshole!
Oh shit!
[soundscape fades]
[Jan snorting cocaine]
-[gasps]
-[uneasy music playing]
[Jan] And you?
Did you leave me?
Or were you at the helm the entire time?
Jan! You've got an interview.
Good morning, assholes.
[indistinct muttering]
[Mogiel] Interview's in 30 minutes.
-Just need to find the keys.
-Janek!
I'll be in the car. Take a cold shower.
[man 2 laughing]
-[woman] Mr. Janek?
-[Jan] Hmm?
Thanks for getting out of bed so early.
Oh, I haven't even been to sleep yet.
What?
You want coffee?
No.
WARDROBE 1
We go live in one minute.
[Jan] Hmm. Cool. Come here.
Oh! [chuckles]
[Jan] Come on, come on!
You want a good interview, don't you?
Come here.
[woman chuckles]
[Jan] Come on, come on!
Hurry, don't be scared. I don't bite.
[rapidly] 368 shows.
368! Over half a million records sold!
Please, Janek, tell us, what is the secret
behind your form artistically?
-First of all--
-Listen.
I heard
that when you were just 20 years old,
Alexis Korner discovered you.
Same guy who discovered
the Rolling Stones.
-Is that true?
-Yes--
If he called you, what would you wanna
talk about now that you're old?
Because I hear you told him at the time
hat you weren't prepared for
-Uh.
-[Jan laughing]
all the attention.
-[Jan laughs]
-Whoo!
It's pretty hot in here.
Back up, we'll do it again.
BUILDING 4
Hey, Mogiel, why are you so worried
about me? Take it easy.
[Mogiel] Yeah, well, we are.
What are you gonna do?
I'm going to Wrocaw. My mom's birthday.
Are you crazy?
You're completely stoned.
You might kill someone.
[scoffs] Don't be stupid.
I'll drive you, okay?
[engine rumbling]
Help me, God.
If velocity equals gravity times times
What are you doing? Praying?
[Mogiel] Revising physics formulas.
-[Jan] What fucking physics?
-An inclined plane.
I'm calculating my speed of acceleration
when I fucking hit the ground
when you drag me down.
Fuck, Janek. We can't just keep playing
the same songs over and over again.
If you can't compose,
I hear Szlaga's got something.
[Jan] Fuck all that.
We need to remind people who we are.
I have ideas.
-I got it. Watch the road.
-Take a look.
[Jan] What is this shit?
[Mogiel] It's a kids' cartoon.
Before you laugh,
remember back when TSA sang
for Mr. Inkblot's Academy? Hmm?
Are you out of your fucking mind or what?
A kids cartoon?
[Mogiel] Just saying think about it.
[melancholy music playing]
Morning.
[mom sighs]
Take this for
for your daughter.
I haven't seen my daughter in years.
Then put in the effort, son.
Be her father.
Tell her you love her.
[Jan sniffles]
Zosia!
Zosia! Zosia, wait!
Zosia, it's me. It's okay.
It's me, Zosia, wait. Wait, wait,
I brought you something. Fuck.
-What happened?
-[Jan] Where did I put it?
[Magda] Take her, please?
You told her lies, that what's up?
What did you tell her?
She doesn't know you. Calm down.
You're a face on TV to her!
That's my fault?
Because you're mother of the year?
[sighs] You can't just show up here.
You two have so much in common.
She runs away too.
Do you want to come in?
No, I'm very busy. Lots to do, you know?
[chuckling scornfully]
[sighs]
How'd you put it? Hmm
"I don't want my child to live the same
miserable life my father gave me."
[chuckling]
So leave.
[uneasy music playing]
[Jan chuckling]
[Magda sighs]
[yells angrily]
[rock music playing]
[music fades]
What's goin' on? The guys didn't mention
you were recording.
[Jan] Because "we" aren't. I'm recording.
Uh, I've recorded it all myself.
But I still have to have some lyrics.
I was thinking
we could maybe name it Carrot Fields.
The Beatles have their Strawberry Fields,
so why can't I make a Carrot Fields album?
Also, I spoke
with a couple of producer types.
Maybe some kind of kids' tour.
Series of concerts for kids. Something.
Since when do you care
about things like family?
I mean, are you gonna
write this thing, or not?
I'll write it. All right.
The kids'll be high forever
when I'm through.
And before this big tour
-[Jan] Yeah?
-Sober up. We need you clean.
-[Jan chuckles]
-I don't want any more trouble.
Yes sir. We mustn't have any trouble.
Does that include coke?
Jany
Andy, I got it, okay?
I'm cool, brother. I'm just joking.
[footsteps fading]
[man] That coke blew my mind!
[drum beat]
CHILDEN'S DAY 1986
You good?
[Jan] Did Magda and Zosia come?
Did they get the fucking tickets or not?
You've had enough.
What the fuck?
-Hey, hey, fuck, you guys!
-Mogiel, relax, man!
How much have you had?
-You can't even hit the strings
-I'm fine.
-[all] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
-[Mogiel] See what I mean?
-Oh. Hey, hey.
-Get off!
Let's use playback.
[Szlagowski] Fuck no!
-[Mogiel] Understand me?
-[Stasiak] The fuck? Take it easy.
-Do you understand?
-Get the fuck out of my face.
[Stasiak] Shit.
-[crowd cheering]
-I hope this fucking works.
How do you even turn it on?
[crowd chanting] Lady Pank!
["Marchewkowe Pole" by Lady Pank playing]
Fuck Lady Pank!
Yeah, Republika!
[crowd screaming]
[in Polish] A carrot field
Is growing around me
I'm stuck in the carrot field
Like a vegetable
Head down
-I'm buried like an ostrich
-Whoo! [chuckles]
If you want to meet me
Bury your head next to me
Anything can happen
[crowd screaming]
Anything can happen
Borysewicz is a piece of shit
with a guitar!
Your songs are for bitches!
You lick commies' balls, you traitor!
If your brother heard this garbage,
he'd hang himself again!
[in Polish] A carrot field
I have dreams about
Bro, I bet you'd love
to suck my long dick!
In that carrot-like state I am growing
-Head below, leaves above
-[crowd booing]
Who can tell me
What else can happen?
Anything can happen
[Mogiel] Janek!
I didn't do anything!
-Hold his arms! Restrain him!
-You're under arrest for indecency.
[crowd booing, whistling]
[dark, oppressive music playing]
[Mogiel] No chance in hell
of this dying down.
The Commies have wanted
to fuck you over for a long time,
and now they'll feed people this crap
to get them to ignore the fact
that their shitshow is falling apart.
NAKED AND HAPPY
[Mogiel] They're gonna beat you
like a drum
for as long as
the public is hungry for it.
[tense music playing]
[Mogiel sighs]
There's more?
Ministry of Culture organized
a special conference.
They announced the suspension
of the band's activities.
What does that mean?
That's it. Lady Pank won't play
until they give us permission.
It's over. The band no longer exists.
[Jan] Fine. Call your lawyer friends.
Get them to fix it.
No, Janek.
I won't fix it again.
[scoffs] Dude, don't be an asshole.
This is the end.
-Andrzej, don't be stupid, come on!
-[Mogiel sighs]
-Andrzej, come back. Don't do this!
-[door closes]
[radio host] There's a saying
they have in America,
"there's no turning back."
But Lady Pank is also your baby, isn't it?
[Mogiel on radio] We had
a certain formula,
and that formula worked really well, yeah?
But eventually, it started to fail.
[host] And this incident,
it was the last straw?
[Mogiel] Well, it definitely made my
exit from Lady Pank easier.
[host] In the studio with me today,
Andrzej Mogiel, lyricist--
[melancholy music playing]
Are you fucking nuts?
Poland's playing the World Cup
any minute! Hey!
-Suck my dick.
-[man grunts]
Get up, pretty boy. Fuck you!
[Jan grunts]
[guard] Settle down!
Hey, break it up!
-Break it up, I said!
-[Jan yells]
Borysewicz! Get out of here!
-Where am I going?
-There's a black Volga picking you up.
When people get into those,
they never come back. Let's go.
[Micha] Get in.
[Jan scoffs]
[Micha] You're too skinny.
Oh, please.
I was only in there a few days.
You're doing well. You're a big shot now?
It's been a while
since we've seen each other.
We didn't see each other much
even when we lived together now, did we?
How about a shred of gratitude?
I pulled a lot of strings to get you out,
at least for now.
"For now"?
The Commies have to deal
with other problems.
Maybe the situation
will blow over eventually.
But for now,
you're gonna have to go to therapy.
Tell them you have problems
with aggression,
depression, can't hold your piss.
You have to show up every day.
Individual sessions, group therapy,
whatever they come up with.
You want to send me to the nuthouse?
-[Micha] Maybe that'll calm them down.
-[drunk grumbling]
I won't let you make me look crazy.
[glockenspiels tinkling]
[somber music playing over dulcimer]
["Minus 10 w Rio" by Lady Pank playing]
[in Polish] What kind of house is this?
Maybe someone will tell me
How the hell did I end up in it?
Everything is here
Even a child and a dog
Only there are no windows or doors
Now, then. Have you finished your sketch
of what it means for to you to relax?
-[woman] I have.
-[doctor] Yeah?
I'd like everyone to share
what they've drawn with the group.
[uneasy music playing]
-[doctor] Let's see.
-[woman] It's my garden.
[doctor] Okay. Mm-hmm.
Janek?
May we see your picture?
Um, I didn't realize
we'd have to show them to everybody.
I think we'd all love to see.
It's all right.
Let's just see what you've got, okay?
Well, what I see here is
-Guitars.
-Bottles.
I think it's some bottles.
It's guitars. Janek is a musician.
Okay, people, let's calm down.
Calm down, remember?
Please everybody calm down.
-If we all just take our seats
-[patients arguing]
I need everyone to calm down
and take your seats.
They're tanks! They're tanks.
[doctor] Tanks? Interesting.
How do tanks help you relax?
This was supposed to be calming.
[woman] Bottles.
Janek! Janek, I'm gonna play with you.
-How did you get out of your restraints?
-Get the fuck off!
I knew you'd come save us someday.
-I will hum the tune, and you compose!
-Get this man upstairs.
-Everyone! Back to your tables, please!
-No, no, no, no.
-[patient] Janek! Janek! Janek!
-Where's Janek?
[in Polish] Everything passes away
Like a madman's dream
Eh, I'd give a lot if I knew the truth
How long have I been in this house?
Somewhere beyond the walls
If you listen carefully
Alvin Lee plays a guitar solo
The child is one year old
And has long hair
And the gaze of a poker player
When he bluffs
Andrzej
[Jan] Mom.
[breathing heavily] It's me. Janek.
I didn't mean to scare you.
How are you feeling?
THE AFTERMATH OF WROCLAW-GATE
[mom] I should have been with you.
I fucked everything up.
You couldn't have saved me, Mom.
I wasn't with your poor brother either.
[Jan sniffles]
The day that terrible thing happened,
Andrzej stopped at the church
right before.
Why didn't God help him?
Mom?
Maybe God told him to do it.
Maybe it was his plan for him.
[mom] Andrzej
He made his choice.
Your path can be different if you want.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for everything.
[guitar chords playing]
[in Polish] We want God, Holy Virgin
Oh, hear our prayers
To bear the bonds of God's love
Is our pride
Is our fate
One.
Two.
Three.
[Jan] Four.
[groans]
-Careful, careful.
-[Jan] Five.
Hey. Hey. Hey.
Have a drink of water, son.
[Jan, weakly] Andrzej told me that
when I count to five, something happens.
That I'd see a sign.
[woman chuckles]
Then I must report to the priest
the pilgrimage was for nothing.
Just count to five, and the guy upstairs
takes care of the rest, eh?
Up you go. Careful. Ooh, up you go.
They sail away.
The water is up to his waist.
And then the army comes in a motorboat
and says, "Get in. You're going to drown."
"No. I will pray,
and the Lord will save me."
Finally, there's a noise,
and in comes a helicopter.
The crew says,
"Get in. You're going to drown."
But the man says,
"I am not going to drown."
"No, I tell you.
God is going to save me. I trust God."
And, of course, he drowns.
He goes straight to heaven
and makes his complaint to God,
"God, why didn't you save me?"
he says. "I trusted you!"
But God looks at Zenek,
says to him "Zenek, you idiot." [chuckles]
"Three times
I sent someone to rescue you."
[woman laughs]
When I lost my brother, I needed God,
and he couldn't be found anywhere.
[woman] Hmm.
We can't be sure of his plan.
God gives us signs,
or, uh, puts the right people in our path.
He illuminates the darkness for us.
But not everyone manages
to see the light in time.
So tell me,
how am I supposed to see the light?
[woman chuckles]
Mm-mm. I believe God is patient.
If you can't see the spark,
he'll light you a bonfire. [chuckles]
[Jan] When I stood at the altar
at Jasna Gra,
I believed everything would be fine
from then on,
and that my family would again be
in your care,
just as before.
Hey, ma'am? Where is Mrs. Borysewicz?
[solemn music playing]
[somber music playing]
Just behave yourself
in front of the priest.
[priest] When was
the deceased's last confession?
Did she attend mass?
She couldn't walk.
She stopped being able to walk in 1979.
She missed service,
didn't confess,
and she refused to receive the priest
for the Christmas blessing.
Go to fucking hell!
My mother believed in God
and the faith more than anybody.
The pope should be holding mass for her,
but we get a hack like you instead.
[solemn music continues]
Forgive him.
It's a unique situation, Father.
But I'm hoping we can make this right.
Fucking asshole.
He's known her for 30 years, that prick.
Oh, Janek.
The church is the same as the Party.
Keep your head down.
Think one thing, do the opposite.
Thank you for your present from America.
[chuckles]
There was never occasion before to
Beautiful, two more Johnny Walkers,
if you don't mind.
-[server] Of course.
-For my Jany.
-And play something cheerful.
-Yep.
Something cheerful?
We both know your mother died
a long time ago.
She's in a better place now.
You and I will be better off too.
What would you know about it?
You barely managed to come home.
You didn't visit her
in the hospital either.
-Because I was working my ass off for you.
-Mm-hmm.
Where do you think the lunches,
guitar school,
and private lessons came from?
Drugs, nurses,
your mother's physiotherapy?
You never came
to a single Lady Pank concert, did you?
And where were you
when I was drinking, doing drugs?
[chuckles] Like I'm not the one
who just got you out of jail, right?
What did I do that was so damn horrible?
Did I beat you?
Throw you into the street? Drink?
That priest, remember?
He came to visit us that time
and pinched my ear?
I was maybe 13.
You could have stood up for me.
I don't know what you're talking about.
I can still hear your stupid laugh.
Why haven't you ever stood up for me?
You might tell yourself you cared for us,
but the truth is, you didn't give a shit.
We needed you, and you were never there.
Not for me,
and especially on the day
Andrzej needed you, Dad.
The time that your family needs you,
you were gone.
You should have been home
when Andrzej hanged himself,
you know that.
Tell me, where were you?
Where?
Off playing guitar?
I was just a fucking kid, remember that.
Just a kid.
["Mala Wojna" by Lady Pank playing]
Janek?
-[door opens]
-[Micha sighs]
[in Polish] If there are angels
-[tires screeching]
-[horn honking]
They are hiding in metal bunkers
Such letters they quickly tear apart
All right, one.
Two.
Three, four, five.
Five! Work this once, please!
[coughing, inhales sharply]
A few buddies are already there
WROCLAW SPECIALIST HOSPITAL
They say that
The cross burns their lips
-Taught not to be afraid
-[labored breathing]
Only something doesn't let you sleep
Always march
An order I have in my blood
To have a small war inside
-[gasps]
-[machine beeping rapidly]
[nurse] Hello, sir? Can you hear me?
-And without words
-[long, steady beep]
I can knock you off your feet
My enemy
[people singing] Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
[mom] No, no! Enough, now.
Give me a break! Enough, enough, enough!
Happy birthday, dear Danuta
Happy birthday to you
[people cheering, laughing]
[Danuta] I said enough. It's enough!
[laughter]
-[Micha] There's plenty of time.
-[Danuta] Has anybody had salad?
-[Micha] Danuta, leave it.
-[aunt] Andrzej, how old are you now?
-[Micha] Old enough to get a job.
-[Danuta] He has to keep studying.
-[Micha] If I did it, he can.
-[Danuta] Leave him alone. He's fine.
-[Micha] What did I say?
-[Danuta] Nothing.
[aunt] Janek,
what's your favorite subject?
-[Micha] I don't know what I said.
-[Danuta] Drop it. Play for us.
-[Micha] Like I'm a jukebox.
-[aunt] I love this song.
[uneasy music playing]
[distorted radio feedback]
[rock music playing]
[gasps]
[sighs, chuckles]
[machine beeping]
[man] Hey! What are you doing?
You just had a heart attack.
[breathing heavily] Me, a heart attack?
I'm afraid you had one foot in the grave,
as they say.
[machine beeping rapidly]
[doctor] Sit back, I wasn't joking.
I can't stay here.
Write on my documentation
that I discharged myself.
[sighs]
Praying won't do you much good, kid.
Medication, physiotherapy,
peace and quiet.
Or else, prepare for the worst.
I've gone through the worst of it already.
[sniffs deeply]
[woman] Sorry, Janek?
I couldn't let them into the ICU.
They almost broke the windows to get in.
-[Mcisawski] There he is! Oh!
-[band cheering]
[Stasiak] He's alive!
-[Panas] Shit, you scared us.
-Fuck! Healthy as a horse. Missed you.
You're all right. Thank God.
Stasiak cried thinking you'd die
before he tells you he loves you.
Yeah, right. I cried
because of all the money you owe us.
I was gonna climb through the window,
but there were bars.
Calm down, morons. Quit screwing around.
Good to have you back.
Where's Mogiel?
[Panas sighs] Hmm.
-Hmm.
-We got amnesty in the country.
Commies'll be outta here
pretty damn quick.
So, what? We can play again?
Our manager pulled a few strings,
and it's all set,
but, um, you have to give
an official apology or something.
Whatever.
You have to go out and publicly weep
in front of the president.
-Stasiak'll demonstrate for you. [laughs]
-Fucker!
[all chuckling]
[all] Good morning.
Thanks for sticking with me, guys,
after all this. I really appreciate it.
-Fuck us. What about the fans?
-[Jan chuckles]
[Panas laughs, whoops]
This is the first public appearance
by the band's leader
since the now infamous Wrocaw-Gate.
-I must say, the atmosphere--
-They're here! Hey, there they are!
Journalists have come
from all over the country to see them.
[Jan] I think,
in a sense, we helped people
during what was a difficult time
for all of us.
And I don't know, I think maybe
I was bitter psychologically.
I think maybe I couldn't handle it,
and I spat out all of this aggression.
My behavior at that, um, moment
is somewhat beyond my comprehension.
It's almost as if
someone forced me to do it.
I know that this will haunt me
for a long time.
I owe you an apology.
[in Polish] Until after
Thousands of attempts
Through the terrifying whiteness
Our effort paid off
We achieved our goal
Good job.
We felt the hearts beating
And the summit beneath our feet
Where it was certain
That no one was before us
But this time
No laughter was heard
[Jan] Hello, God.
Are you still there?
Are Andrzej and Mom up there with you?
Maybe you can give me some kind of sign
that everything I did this whole life,
swimming against the current,
meant something.
[pensive music playing]
I'd like to dedicate this song to someone.
Because without her,
I never would have played guitar.
I would never have left Wrocaw.
And I wouldn't be the man that I am today.
[applause]
Mom, this is for you.
[applause]
["Wci Bardziej Obcy"
by Lady Pank playing]
[music stops]
[lighters flicking]
[sighs emotionally]
[resumes playing]
-[in Polish] There are days
-[crowd joins in] When I say enough
I think I live just to spite myself
I still play, sing, eat and sleep
But I'm not really here
I'm still a stranger
A total stranger here
Like an enemy
I'm still a stranger
Still more of a stranger to you
And to myself
[cheering, screaming]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheering]
[Jan] You know what I love most?
That state when I'm playing a solo,
and everything around me
is vibrating from the sound.
And I feel like I'm floating
with my guitar,
looking down on everything from above.
I'm alone, I'm free,
but I'm part of something bigger.
I don't know if you exist.
But if you do,
to me, you're music.
[crowd cheering, whistling]
[music, cheering fades]
["Zostawcie Titanica"
by Lady Pank playing]
[music fades out]