01x03 - Episode 3

[bunniefuu]

[intriguing music playing]

RADIOACTIVE EMERGENCY

[distant thunder rumbles]

DAY 3

[scintillometer crackling]

Not to question your expertise,
but you're absolutely sure?

You don't have to worry about it,
ma'am, I promise.

I've been on these rivers 30 years now.

GOIÂNIA'S CENTRAL REGION

This stream flows here
and follows this course.

It doesn't flow into the Meia Ponte river
which supplies the city with water.

Lucky break.

Problem is… with all this rain?
And the contaminated soil?

I think what's gonna keep you real busy
are all these household wells.

[intriguing music playing]

[Eneida] Physicists and
geographers from Rio de Janeiro

are now trying to assess
whether the abundance of rain

may have carried
the cesium-137 underground

to the wells and rivers of Goiânia.

If confirmed by experts,

this would mean the contamination
of the entire city's water supply.

With more insight,
here's Henrique Carvalho,

a physics professor at USP,

specializing in radiological
and nuclear incidents like this one.

Professor Carvalho, is it possible
the city's water is contaminated?

PHYSICS PROFESSOR - USP

It's not only possible
but actually quite probable.

This is a public health crisis,

and the governor of Goiás
is not stepping up.

In fact, he's being negligent.

- [Zé] Morning. Did you manage to sleep?
- [anchor] Negligent?

More or less.

You mind turning that up a bit?

[tense music playing]

[Carvalho] We're looking at groundwater,
as well as the Meia Ponte River.

Water that the people of Goiás
drink every day.

There is no other source of safe
drinking water for the population.

I'm so sorry, Mr. Zé.

[Zé] No, no, d-don't worry.
Nobody move. I-I'll get a broom.

- Let me help you.
- You stay put. Watch out for the glass.

I'll be right back.

Is all our drinking water contaminated?

It's all just speculation so far.
Nothing's been proven yet.

A-and if it is proven,
w-what exactly does that mean?

[anchor] …the contaminated water
and radioactive…

Why'd you sleep on the sofa?

We will, of course…

Uh, because I got home late
and I was exhausted. So I crashed, and…

I'm sorry. I've got to go to the stadium
so I can help figure out this water thing.

But until we know more,
stick to mineral water, okay?

The stadium? You and I are supposed to be
catching a flight home at seven tonight.

You didn't forget?

No. Of course not. But, but I…

Uh… I can't just disappear
without speaking to anyone.

I have to at least
talk to Orenstein first.

Didn't you say goodbye yesterday?

It's not just about saying goodbye.

I want to stay on his good side.
It's important.

I mean, the two of us might end up

- working together in the future.
- Fine, but what future?

You're risking your life now!

Bianca, I am not risking my life.
I won't leave the stadium.

I promise I'll be back by five
to go to the airport, all right?

- I swear.
- Oh, you swear?

[TV continues in background]

Wait, Bi…

[anchor] …broad consensus
that the most important thing

is to inform the public
of possible symptoms.

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness,
diarrhea and headaches

are all consistent
with acute radiation poisoning.

If you do experience any of these
symptoms together or individually,

you should proceed immediately
to the screening site

at the municipal stadium in Goiânia.

As the investigation continues,
one question looms large.

Who is to blame?

[somber music playing]

GOIÂNIA IN PANIC

And this man is
a tenured university professor?

It's irresponsible and dangerous!
How could he say something like that?

I don't disagree,
Governor, it's outrageous.

The media took everything out of context.

That stream doesn't even flow
into the Meia Ponte river.

That's exactly what you'll tell them.

I've called a press conference tonight
with the major networks,

- and you'll give a statement.
- I will?

All you have to say is that
the water is not contaminated.

Now hang on a minute.

I didn't say that.

What I did say is the stream
doesn't flow directly into the Meia Ponte.

But if the contamination did reach
the Meia Ponte by some other vector,

I couldn't possibly say.

So there's a chance
the water is contaminated!

If cesium powder ended up in the river,

it would be so diluted
in such a massive volume of water

that it's impossible
for anyone to get sick because of it.

But if you admit that on air,

all they'll hear is that the water is
contaminated and that we're doing nothing.

I'm not going to publicly state something
that hasn't been independently verified.

Go verify it then!

Test the river.
The Meia Ponte and all the springs.

Whatever you have to do.

That would take time.

Our priority should be decontamination.

And I don't even have a team for that!

No, our priority needs to be
keeping people calm!

If the city's in chaos and
the people are panicking,

decontamination will be
the last thing on our minds!

We'll be fending off riots, damn it!

I'm sorry, okay?

[exhales]

How much time do you need for these tests?

To do them well…

analyze them in a lab,
make sure the results are 100% accurate?

Forty-eight hours at least.

- Other options?
- No, none.

- Could you use the scintillometer?
- Scintillometer…

Scintillometer.

If there is cesium in the water,
the scintillometer won't pick it up

because the concentration
would be far too low.

I suppose we could maybe… We could…

measure the surroundings
from a helicopter.

We use the scintillometer from above.
We could.

But even then, the contamination would
need to be severe to be detectable.

No. I like this. You, your team,
you take a police helicopter.

That way people will see
we're doing something.

But bear in mind, this plan isn't perfect.
It won't give us definitive answers.

[quiet groan]

Then we'll implement both plans.

Scintillometer from the helicopter,

and analyzing the samples in the lab.

Whatever results we have by tonight,
you'll report to the press.

Governor, wait, please.
We have to be careful.

We must tread with caution.

Let's hold off
until we receive the lab results.

The conference can wait,
just give me another day.

The media is going to demand precise data.

Filtered water.

Drink it.

See?

The population doesn't care
about fancy numbers.

They want to feel safe.

The press conference is tonight.

[tsks]

[somber, intriguing music playing]

[indistinct crowd chatter]

[slow crackling]

HEALTH SURVEILLANCE AGENCY

Please, name?

As you can see, we're processing
more screenings than we expected,

- so you'll have to be patient.
- Excuse me.

[scintillometer crackling]

I'm sorry. Excuse me.

Excuse me, excuse me.

Sorry. I'm sorry, I need to get through.
I work here. Excuse me.

Let me get by, please.

- [woman] The line's over there.
- [man] Go back, man.

I drank the water
and I might be contaminated!

[woman] Everybody drank it!

How am to understand where to go?
Where's the line?

- [woman] It starts back there.
- [Márcio] I need to get through, ma'am.

[exhales]

[music fades out]

- Oh, Márcio, I'm glad you could make it.
- Morning.

It won't be easy, but I need you
to help train the police and military.

They need to know how to use
a scintillometer and read it accurately.

They'll be measuring the contamination
levels on the banks of the Meia Ponte

and all the other rivers that
flow into the Meia Ponte.

They'll measure from helicopters.
Sound good?

- I need to go home--
- Great. I'll keep collecting samples

from the wells
and groundwater in the area,

and I was thinking that actually
I'll check the storm drains too, Beny.

Ah. Wonderful idea.

Márcio, let's meet later
and head to the lab

so we can get the results together.

- I'll keep you posted. You do the same.
- All right.

Oh, Márcio…

I'm counting on you to help me
take care of this situation.

Okay?

[tense music playing]

[sighs]

[protestors chanting indistinctly]

Carlos and Lúcio opened the source.

They were exposed
to a very high level of cesium,

and their tests aren't looking so good.

They have to be taken to Rio.

Evenildo spent a lot of
time with the source too.

His contamination level is almost
as high as his niece's. Celeste, right?

And Nina, because of the risk of injury
to her carotid artery.

So her too.

And João?

- The lesions look pretty awful but…
- His leukogram's okay.

His lymphocytes are about
as low as I'd like to see them,

but they're still normal.

And Antônia is stable.

But with a fever and worsening
intestinal bleeding. She has to go.

No. Wait.

There's one, two, three, four, five,
and with Celeste that makes six.

Are we prepared to transfer a six year-old
girl without her father though?

Look, we already established
that João was stable.

Not like we've got much of a choice here.

- There are only six beds.
- We already took her away from her mom.

I'm afraid that under this plan,

without emotional support,
she would feel alone.

She'd stop fighting.
She wouldn't have a real shot.

[sighs]

Then who do we take off the list?

Antônia might improve
if we manage to treat the infections.

Leaving her here would be
an absolute death sentence. No way.

If João doesn't go with Celeste to Rio,

we're giving a child
that same death sentence.

[Eduardo exhales]

[tense music continues]

[sighs]

[birds chirping]

[Márcio] For every kilometer of river,
we need two samples.

One from the bed and one from the surface.

And we're gonna need three soil samples
from the banks of the river.

- This is urgent, people, let's move!
- Okay.

[helicopter approaching]

[breathing heavily]

WARNING
RESTRICTED ACCESS

Nina.

Nina?

Just a little more.

Sweat is essential for removing
the impurities from your body.

[panting]

That's good! Go on.

Honey… just a bit more water, okay?

- No.
- It's good for you. No.

- Yes, princess.
- No.

- Another little sip.
- No.

Please, sweetheart.

No.

The water will be good for you.

You can do it.

[emotional music playing]

[João] That's it.

Good job, princess.

You drank the whole thing!

[Vitor] I'm increasing your dosage.
This should help with the pain, all right?

[Eduardo] Good morning.

Everything okay in here?

Carlos, I have some good news.
We're going to be transferring you to Rio.

- What?
- Sound good?

They can take better care of you there.

What are you talking about, Doctor?
I can't go to Rio.

[Eduardo] It's only temporary,
don't worry.

When you're fully recovered,
you can come back.

My mom can't stay behind without me.
I can't leave her alone.

We can make arrangements
for you to call your mother.

She doesn't have a phone.

Maybe you could write to her?

I don't know how to write, Doctor.

[soft music playing]

[Vitor] How about this…

you tell me everything you want to tell
her a-and I'll write it down for you.

Then, we'll find a way to get that letter
to your mother. How's that sound?

- Okay.
- Great.

It's a deal.

Let's find some paper and get
this letter done right away.

[plastic sheets shifting, unzipping]

[Eduardo] Good morning,
Evenildo. How are you feeling?

So we're going to be transferring you

to Rio de Janeiro
for further treatment, okay?

Why am I going to Rio?

Who told you I wanna go to Rio?
No way. No.

My home is here.
My family. You can't make me.

[Darlei] Doctor.

Be right with you, Darlei.

The hospital there is far better equipped
to treat your situation and--

- That's the most important--
- [Darlei] Doctor!

How can I help you, Darlei?

I saw you walk right past
my room and not come in.

Why are some of us going
and some staying? Tell me.

Some of the patients
have specific conditions

that can better be treated
at the Naval Hospital in Rio.

[Evenildo] That makes no sense.

What kind of "specific conditions"?

I thought we were all contaminated
by the same sh*t, Doctor.

- No, no…
- You're leaving everyone here to die?

No we're not. Calm down.

Oh sure, "Calm down."
They want to get rid of us.

[Vitor] No, no.
Nobody wants to get rid of anyone.

We want each patient to receive
the treatment that best suits their needs.

And who's being transferred?

It's going to be Celeste,
Evenildo, Nina, Lúcio, Carlos…

and Antônia.

What did you say?

My daughter is going alone?

No. No way in hell.

You're gonna send a child
to Rio de Janeiro without her father?

They don't care, they never did.

The girl can't go
all the way to Rio by herself.

They treat us like animals.

You can't separate us.
Especially when we're so sick.

It's a matter of logistics.
Calm down, please.

[man] Why are you trying to separate us?

I'm her father.
I'm going with her. End of discussion.

Please don't make me go.
I don't want to go to Rio.

Why can't I stay here?

Sending a kid to Rio de Janeiro alone?

You can't separate
a father from his daughter.

Are you out of your damn minds?

We need you to calm down.

Could everyone please
calm down for a minute?

[keyboard clacking]

I'm just trying to understand, Mr. Clovis.

The building that housed
the Radiotherapy Institute was unguarded.

How did that happen?

No locked gate.
No security. No protection at all?

Protection from what?

Nothing there belonged to us.

I have here the written deed stating

the land the clinic was on belongs
to the company you manage.

Ah. Well, the land belongs to us, yeah.

But the building and everything inside

belongs to the Goiás Institute
of Radiotherapy.

From whom your company
bought the property.

No, no. The company
bought the land from Santa Casa.

What do they have to do
with the Institute?

Well, you'll have to take that up
with them or with Santa Casa.

The fact of the matter is…

we bought the land, and when we got there,
it was occupied by the clinic.

Santa Casa sold us the land before
the clinic was permanently shut down,

and they refused to move out.

But they must've left eventually.
The building is completely abandoned.

After legal proceedings they left, yeah.

And when we started demolition,

they forced us to stop
by filing an injunction.

Now let's see. I own the land, right?

I paid for the land,
but I can't use the land now?

What would you call this?

It's a no man's land!

Well, not quite.
The deed says it belongs to you.

[exhales]

Then there's also the capsule.

You were just going to leave it?
No one checked the back room?

Nobody ever asked what it was?

Look, I am in no way a doctor.
I don't know about that x-ray stuff.

Radiotherapy?

Whatever. My trade is business management.

I truly believed
it was just a piece of scrap.

Put yourself in my shoes.

I'm supposed to assume the clinic would
leave something dangerous behind?

They need to be held accountable
for this whole mess.

Both them and the Santa Casa guys.
They started this whole thing.

Talk to them.

- I'll weigh you, all right?
- Let's go.

Over here.

[Catarina] Has there been any news?

Well…

I'm happy to report
you're out of the woods.

Fifteen days from now I'll ask you to
head to the Tropical Diseases Hospital.

That's where they'll do
the follow-up with you.

But for the moment you're free to go.

Where?

Well, home.

Go home?

Doctor, when we got here,
you took our clothing, documents, money…

You took everything.
Am I supposed to leave in this?

You just stop by reception,
call a member of your family.

What family do you want me to call?

They were put on a bus yesterday
and taken to the hospital.

Send me there instead!

[man] I'm sorry, ma'am,
there's nothing we can do.

You'll have to find someone
who can help you.

But you can't stay here.

[woman] You can sit right over here.

Catarina!

Wait, Catarina!

If it'll help,
I have a set of clean clothes.

Wait here. I'll go get my bag.

And if you want to take the bus…

I have a little spare change
to pay your fare.

Thanks a lot.

[gentle, intriguing music playing]

[protesters chanting]
Until they make it right!

We strike! We strike!
Until they make it right!

We strike! We strike!
Until they make it right!

We strike! We strike!
Until they make it right!

[chanting continues]

- Bye.
- [driver] Good luck.

We strike! We strike!
Until they make it right!

We strike! We strike!
Until they make it right!

We strike! We strike!
Until they make it right!

We strike! We strike!
Until they make it right!

We strike! We strike!
Until they make it right!

We strike! We strike!
Until they make it right!

We strike! We strike!
Until they make it right!

WE ARE ON STRIKE

Can I help you?

I'm here to visit my family please, sir.

Only authorized personnel
are allowed to enter, ma'am.

They were just admitted yesterday.

I'm sorry, ma'am.
Only authorized personnel.

Step back, please.

[somber music playing]

[birds calling]

[Márcio] Everything okay
up there, Colonel?

[man] Affirmative.
No contamination detected

from our vantage point.

This guy!
He's so damn slow! What the hell!

You wanna drive or what?

[honking]

Come on. Move it.

What are you doing with that?

I can't wait any longer. I have to see.

I already checked and it didn't
detect anything. We need the lab.

[crackling and low squealing]

[squealing spikes]

The heck was that?

[fades back to crackling]

Was it because of the truck? No.

[tense music playing]

Let's see.

[low squealing]

[higher-pitched squealing]

Yeah, it is! It is.

[squealing gradually intensifies]

[horn honks]

[squealing continues]

- [honking horn]
- [Paula] Hey! Stop! You have to pull over!

- Whoa!
- [squealing intensifies]

You need to stop the truck!

Pull over!

[Paula] Stop! Stop!

Come on, pull over!

[squealing intensifying]

- Where did you load up this truck?
- A warehouse downtown.

- Is there more paper?
- The warehouse is full of it.

[Paula groans]

I can't believe it. That's just…

Márcio, I need to take these samples
to the lab right away.

We're running out of time.

Yeah, go. I'll take care of this.

I need you to take me to that warehouse
now. Right away. Thank you, okay?

- [Paula] Can you direct me?
- Yeah, will do.

[scintillometer clicking slowly]

Can we go a little faster?
The line isn't moving, come on!

It's going to be fine. No need to worry.

Uh… Ma'am, you're next.
Step forward, please.

Before we start could you let me know if
you have any of the following symptoms?

Nausea, dizziness or vomiting?

- Yes, I threw up earlier today.
- Hm.

Did you have contact with cesium
or perhaps with someone who did?

Yeah, I think so.

Are you pregnant?

Why would you need to know?

Because radiation can be
harmful to the fetus.

There's the chance
it could cause a miscarriage.

Can you please screen me, Doctor?

All right.
I'll have you lift your arms first.

[slow clicking]

Now your foot.

And the other.

Turn around, please.

Right, that's perfect.

You're okay. You're not contaminated.

But if those symptoms persist,
I'll need you to come back

so we can assess you again.

This person you believe
had contact with the cesium,

have they been here to be screened yet?

You're Dr. Orenstein?

Yes.

I'm talking about my husband. Márcio.

- Oh! [laughing]
- He's… been working with you.

A pleasure! Nice to meet you.

- And the same.
- What was your name?

- Bianca.
- Ah, Bianca!

I imagine you must be
proud of your husband.

Márcio's doing a great job, really.

Do you mind if I have
a quick word with him?

Ah, he's not here.

He just left
to go follow up on a potential hot spot.

[tense music playing]

Doctor, would you mind
letting him know I came by?

Of course, no problem.

Please don't forget,
Dr. Orenstein, let him know.

No I won't forget, Bianca, I'll tell him.

- Uh, thanks.
- Of course.

Celeste needs to be with her dad.

She's already separated from her mom.

Why won't you let João go with her?

João is going to be fine here, Antonia.

Take a deep breath in.

Hold it.

And out.

- [exhales]
- Good.

What do they have in Rio
that we don't have here?

Deep breath in.

Hold.

And out.

[exhales]

There are only six spots free, right?

It's all right, you can tell me.

[soft, melancholy music playing]

[sighs]

Yes.

But I don't want
the other patients to think

they're not getting
the best care possible.

- Mm-hm.
- Because that's not true.

I know that.

That's why I want to give up my spot.

I know you're going
to take good care of me.

Let the man be with his daughter.

[William] Doctor,
you've reached your exposure limit.

[clasps hand] Doctor, please.

- [Vitor] What's your mother's name?
- [Carlinhos] Mrs. Nancy.

Ready?

Mom, they're sending me to Rio
so I can get better.

I'll come back safe and sound,
so don't worry.

Nothing in this world is worse
than a mother losing her kid.

And you're a good person, Mom.

God won't make you suffer.

DIGNITY NOW!
WE FIGHT FOR EVERYONE'S HEALTH

GENERAL HOSPITAL OF GOIÂNIA

I hope He helps me too.

He must have a plan for me.

I need you to step away
from the doors.

- [Carlinhos] I hope I can hug you soon.
- Take a step back.

[Carlinhos] Keep me in your prayers.

I love you so much.

Your son, Carlos.

João!

- João!
- I need you to step back.

- Celeste! Sweetheart!
- João! It's okay, but be careful.

It's okay, it's okay. Let her through.

- That's her mother.
- My baby!

- Sweetheart, I love you! Oh sweetheart!
- Mommy.

Oh sweetheart.

- Where are they taking you?
- Rio, honey.

- Rio? What?
- Yeah.

- That's so far!
- I know.

Claudinei's with Tininha,
it's okay. We're okay.

- João, we have to go.
- I love you. Come on.

- Come on, princess…
- Mommy loves you, okay?

[João] I love you. I love you so much.

[melancholy music continues]

- [João] Celeste!
- Mommy!

I love you!

[intriguing music playing]

This is top priority,
all right? I need it by seven.

C'mon! Let's go, move it!

Doctor? I've got the results from the well
water sample you brought in this morning.

[exhales]

[squealing gradually intensifying]

It's all contaminated.

All this paper has to go. Immediately.

And we'll have to make sure
the warehouse is quarantined.

No way, you can't be serious.
I've got six kids to feed, man.

- And I've gotta pay my guys.
- I know, but this paper's radioactive.

If you touch it, you'll be contaminated.

I don't think you understand.

There are families who depend on us
to make ends meet.

Your children? They're at risk too.

Where did this all come from?

From the scavengers.

Did anybody else leave with this material?

[tense music playing]

[distant car alarm blaring]

[dog barking in distance]

Excuse me…

STOP

Sir, I need to get past.
Would you mind letting me through?

I live just over there.

No, miss. Sorry.

I just need to grab a few things.

No one in or out. Everything
past this point is contaminated.

Please, that's my house.

Is there somebody else
maybe I could talk to?

No. There's no one.

[dog barking]

[man] I got you.

[tense music playing]

[dog whining]

Sônia!

- Catarina?
- How's it going?

- I'm fine.
- How are the boys? Everyone okay?

Good, yeah! You feeling better?

They told me I'm out of danger now.

João and the kids are still at
the hospital but they'll be out soon.

Hey, so, listen, they shut down
the street in front of my house.

They're, uh, measuring it.

I can't go home,
so would it be okay if I stayed over?

It's just that I've already got
family staying over from out of town.

We don't have a ton of space.

I'm not contaminated, Sônia.

Catarina… Sorry, but you were on the news!

They're k*lling stray dogs
over there, you know?

I gotta protect my kids, I…

Wait!

- Is Celeste okay?
- I honestly don't know.

They won't tell me.

I'll pray for you! Good luck!

[woman] What was the nature
of the agreement between Santa Casa

and the Radiotherapy Institute?

Well… Well,
our primary concern, Dr. Marlene,

has always been the welfare of others.

Our arrangement with the Institute
was to loan them the land

so they could build
a treatment center for cancer patients.

And that's what they did.

So it was loaned?
What did you get in return?

Well, uh, I'm sure you're aware
that the clinic was privately owned.

Uh, but we didn't want money.
No, no. Nothing like that.

Our only condition for the loan

was that we could, as necessary,
refer our cancer patients to them.

And that they'd be offered free treatment
in the form of radiotherapy.

And at first they were very generous.
Very much so, in fact.

But it became apparent that… You know
how money can mess with people's heads…

They eventually stopped
treating our patients for free.

They were in breach of contract.

And so you sold off the land.

That's exactly right.

You sold the land but didn't evict them.

[soft, intriguing music playing]

NAVAL HOSPITAL

CONTAMINATED AREA

CAUTION

[woman] Mr. Evenildo, you'll be in here.

And Mr. Carlos in this one.

This way, please.

[soft music playing]

Now how about
we get you all ready for bed?

But Dad.

- What is it?
- I'm hungry.

You can eat in a little bit, okay?

First we need to get you all cleaned up
with a decontamination bath

then you can eat.

Sound good?
I'll show you to your room, João.

I'm her father. I'm staying right here.

We can't keep you together, I'm sorry.

If you continue irradiating each other,
we won't be able to treat you at all.

IRD - INSTITUTE FOR RADIOPROTECTION
AND DOSIMETRY

[Esther] Antônia Quadrado?

[man] Antônia Quadrado.

[Esther] Ready.

That's strange…

- Did you dilute the urine?
- I did, Doctor, yes.

It doesn't make sense.
Everything was working fine before.

I'll try the Geiger counter.
The spectrometer could be on the fritz.

[man] Yeah.

[intriguing music playing]

[apparatus crackling softly]

[intensifying]

[man] Doctor!

Esther! It's working!

[Esther] This doesn't make any sense.

It would have to be
a high enough dose that…

- You don't think that--
- Yes, I do.

The radiation is so high,
it can't be measured up close.

- Dr. Eduardo, it's Esther from the IRD.
- Hi, Esther.

I have the test results and it's not good.

You need to transfer Josias, Valêncio,
Artur and Antônia to the Naval Hospital.

All of them. Immediately.

I've never seen such elevated rates
of internal contamination.

Their organs and tissues
are being irradiated nonstop. I…

Even if you treat the anemia and
the infections, it won't help them.

Thanks, Esther.

[reciting prayer in Hebrew]

[continues prayer]

Doctor.

[sighs]

Yes, Márcio.

How did it go?

Uh, the scintillometer on the helicopter
didn't detect any contamination

- on the riverbanks.
- Uh-huh.

- But then we found something else.
- Now just wait.

If we assume that
the river is contaminated,

maybe it's not that severe.
Maybe it hasn't spread. Hm?

Doctor…

we have the results
from the samples I took to the lab

from the well at João's house.



[Márcio] 500 and…

- Oh my…
- What about the other wells, Paula?

And any news on the groundwater?

We're still waiting on the spectrometer
results, we don't know yet.

I'm going back to the lab and I'll stay
there until we have a concrete answer.

How do I reassure the population that
their water is clean and safe to drink

when our tests are either
inconclusive or prove contamination?

We have a contaminated well!
What do I say?

What's wrong, Márcio?

I've got another piece of bad news.

Carlos and Lúcio used to collect
scrap metal and paper

and bring it to be recycled.

They probably kept working
while they were both contaminated,

because I found a warehouse

filled to the brim
with paper that tested positive.

And some of that radioactive
paper is on the move.

To São Paulo.

[tense music playing]

[Beny exhales]

Doctor! Doctor!

- [Eduardo] What? What's going on?
- It's Antônia!

She's shaking! It's like she's possessed!

[Darlei] Somebody help! Please!

- Is anyone gonna help us?
- It's all right, I'm here!

[Darlei] It's okay,
Mrs. Antônia, just breathe!

- What's wrong with her?
- Hold her legs! Her legs!

William! Diazepam, now!

You're okay, Mrs. Antonia!

In through your nose, out
through the mouth. Keep her on her side.

[Darlei] Breathe, Mrs. Antônia.

[shuddering and whimpering]

What do we do?

- It's okay, Mrs. Antônia…
- [Eduardo] There you go. You're okay.

- You can let go.
- [Antônia gasping]

Just breathe. We're here.

Good. Deep breaths. Move her legs. Slowly.

- Hold her. Hold her. It's okay…
- [Eduardo] That's it.

We're here with you, Mrs. Antônia…

[Eduardo] That's good…

- That's it. You're okay.
- [William] You need to leave.

Doctor!

Stay with her.

This can't continue.

It's okay now. You're okay.

[woman] This is about
more than working conditions…

- You're a journalist, right?
- Yeah.

You want to know about the patients
contaminated with cesium-137?

Yeah, absolutely.

- Is here good?
- It's perfect.

So the six patients transferred to Rio
are receiving the best possible care.

But we have four other patients
with the same symptoms

who need to be transferred right away.

Why weren't all ten transferred
at the same time, Doctor?

Only six beds were made available
by the Navy for this kind of accident.

But the fact of the matter is
the Naval Hospital has better equipment

and people who are trained
to handle this kind of situation.

I cannot stress enough how important it is

that they take these patients in
as soon as they can.

Thank you.

[woman continues protesting]

And one more thing.

[loudly] I'd like to appeal to the medical
and nursing staff here at the hospital.

Look, I'm a doctor.

I understand what you're asking for.

And I agree. You're right.

But the ER must resume operations.

My colleague and I are alone up there

caring for ten patients with acute
radiation syndrome 24 hours a day

with no nursing staff.

So I am appealing to you,
and all health professionals in Brazil.

We need hematologists.
We need dermatologists.

Anesthetists, plastic surgeons…
We need nurses.

We need you here with us.

I am begging you to help us.

Please, search your conscience
and your heart,

and ask yourselves
why you wanted to become doctors.

If you're willing to help,
we're on the third floor. Thank you.

Doctor, wait.

Everyone, I understand
that radiation is scary.

But there are protocols and methods
we can implement to work safely.

I'm a hematologist
who has cared for patients with A*DS

and I didn't get infected.

Yet I saw many colleagues
refuse to treat them

due to lack of information,
ignorance and prejudice.

Saving lives is our mission.

We were brave enough to go on strike,
stand up for ourselves and speak out.

And these patients need us to show
that same courage to them now.

Not our cowardice.

I'm on your side.

- Count me in.
- Thanks.

[reporter] We just heard
an emotional statement…

[woman] We're on strike! Traitors!

Unbelievable.

[man] I'm staying out here.

[Beny] Yes, the truck
has already left Goiânia.

It should soon arrive in São Paulo.

Listen. You need to evacuate the factory.

Then cordon off the building
the minute the truck pulls in.

Nothing and no one can come
in or out after that. Understood?

And please,

try to do all this
as discreetly as possible, okay?

Yes, that's all.

All right, sounds good.

Thank you. Take care.

The IPEM team is up to date.
They'll quarantine the factory.

I can only imagine what the Governor
will say when he finds out.

That this might have spread
all the way to São Paulo.

It's being addressed.
We caught it quite early.

This paper business,
it's under control. We're handling it.

So after the press…

After the press conference, I'll tell him.

I'll explain everything to the Governor.

You okay, Doctor?

It's just that I haven't eaten. [chuckles]

Let me go grab you some food.

No, no, Márcio. No.

Today is Yom Kippur.

It's a very important day.
A holy day for the Jewish people.

And I've been fasting for it.

I'm only permitted to eat
after the first star appears.

- How about some water?
- No. No, no.

Look, I'm sorry, but… Um…

[laughs] It's ridiculous
to be fasting right now.

- With everything going on.
- Yeah…

[laughing]

What we do, every action
that we take has a consequence.

And sometimes the actions we don't take

generate the greatest consequences.

- Mm.
- I could be at home now with my family.

[gasps]

- Bianca! Oh sh*t. f*ck…
- Oh, Bianca? Your wife? She was here.

What?

[Eduardo on TV]
The six patients transferred to Rio

are receiving the best possible care.

But we have four other patients
with the same symptoms

who need to be transferred right away.

[reporter] Why weren't all ten transferred
at the same time, Doctor?

[Eduardo] Only six beds
were made available

by the Navy for this kind of accident.

But the fact of the matter is
the Naval Hospital has better equipment

and people who are trained
to handle this kind of situation.

I cannot stress enough how important it is

that they take these patients in
as soon as they can.

[knocking on door]

[woman] Admiral? Excuse me.

There are some doctors here
who want to speak with you.

Can I let them in?

[tense music playing]

Thank you.

What's this all about?

Admiral, if possible, we'd like
to volunteer to support the hospital

so they can take in more of the patients
affected by the cesium-137.

[bus brakes hissing]

- Hi, how are you?
- Good.

- How much for a ticket to Rio de Janeiro?
- It's right there.

[gentle music playing]

[panting]

That's it. I'm done. I can't do anymore.

That's okay. You've sweat enough for now.

Let's get your medicine.

Nah, I won't. No way. You can't make me.
I don't even know what this stuff is!

You guys turn on the AC in here first.

Then I'll think about
taking my medicine. Okay?

Raimundo, we've been over this. We can't.

The AC is connected
to the hospital's main system.

It could contaminate other areas.

Raimundo, please? Let me explain.

This is a medicine called Prussian Blue.

It'll help eliminate the cesium
in your blood by bonding with it

and then it'll be excreted.

It won't be absorbed by your body
at any point. Don't worry.

So you want me to take this?

This stuff is blue, just like
the blue stuff you said was bad for us!

They're both blue. You're right.

But think of it as the good blue drug

sticking to the bad blue drug
inside your body.

Then they come out together.

I'm not taking this.

[Vitor] Raimundo? Look.

This is gonna save your life. Okay?

So if we tell you
you have to take it, you take it.

Who are you to tell me?

I'll do it…

if you take your mask off
and show me who you are.

Your immune system is weak.

If I remove my mask, I could infect you
with all sorts of bacteria.

This mask? It's for your own good.

The medicine too.

Thank you very much.

Now leave me alone.

This is a medicine called Prussian Blue.
And some water.

- This is what you gave Raimundo?
- It is.

Good.

Dealing with him's gotta be tough, huh?

Raimundo didn't have
the best childhood, you get me?

His dad used to beat him
when he was a kid, so he ran away.

And because he fights so much,
people treat him like… like crap.

The only person he could really trust,
who he'd listen to, was Antônia.

Because she helped raise him, you know?

I'm only tellin' you all this because…

he's a complicated guy,
but he'll calm down.

And pretty soon
he'll cooperate with you guys, okay?

- Thanks, Darlei.
- Sure.

Excuse me.

Raimundo, may I come in?

Raimundo?

[intriguing music playing]

[distant traffic noises]

Raimundo's gone!

- Raimundo got out!
- What? How?

- Darlei!
- Raimundo! Raimundo got out!

Where do you think he went?

Honey?

Bianca?

Dad?

[tense music playing]

[panting]

Márcio?

Where's Bianca?

She didn't tell you?

Bianca said that
if she had to be apart from you,

she'd prefer to be at home.

I insisted she stay.
I really did. But she'd made up her mind.

She was going to drive herself
to the airport, but I took her in the end.

[man] Let's see you sink this one!

[pleasant music playing in background]

[Raimundo] Ribamar. I need a drink.

- Isn't that Raimundo?
- Yeah. From the scrapyard.

What? You got discharged then?

Yeah. Gimme the usual.

Hey, m*therf*cker!
What's with the f*ck' gown?

- You broke out or what?
- What's up, Zé?

You come here to make us sick?
Just get out!

You're makin' sh*t up, Batista.

Now come on. Gimme a drink.

No, no,
you're not getting anything from me.

You're gonna contaminate everyone!

Put it on my tab. Gimme some cachaça!

Hey! We told you to go!

Hey. Go back to
your little game, all right?

- Ribamar! Come on. Gimme a drink!
- You're not getting anything, Raimundo.

Just leave!

- That's it! Get out!
- There it is. Thanks for nothing!

[tense music playing]

[Eduardo exhales]

Where do we go now?

Darlei said he should be around here.
Raimundo hangs out here a lot.

He's gotta be close.

[indistinct chatter in background]

[woman] Good evening.

Okay. Did you drive in from far?

Good evening. How are you? Hi, Marta.

[intriguing music playing]

Did the lab send the results?

No. Not yet.

Well. You have the data
from the helicopter scintillometer, right?

The scintillometer didn't
detect radiation.

But that doesn't mean the water--

Just talk to them.
Be clear and be confident.

Can you reassure the public
or can you not?

[Beny breathes deeply]

Wonderful.

Hi, Doctor.

Oh, Márcio. You all right?

Do we have the results yet?

- No. We don't.
- Ah.

Is something wrong?

Don't worry about me.

- Good luck, all right?
- Uh-huh.

Get out of here, Raimundo! Go!

- You're telling me what to do, man?
- Walk away.

What are you gonna do with that thing?
Huh? You threatening me?

Get it out of my face and back off!

- What about you, Zé?
- Don't come any closer! I mean it!

Maybe over there?

- [g*nsh*t]
- [Zé] Get away from me! Stay back!

Get the hell out of here!

- I'm gonna end you.
- [woman] No!

- For God's sake! Stop!
- You're not infecting anyone else!

- [siren]
- [Eduardo] Put the g*n down!

Easy! Please! Wait, wait, wait.
Hey, hey, hey! Just hold on.

Calm down. Let's just talk.

- [Zé] Nothing to talk about.
- It's okay.

- This piece of sh*t needs to disappear.
- Look at me. Just look at me. Listen.

We're doctors.
Let us take him back to the hospital.

- Drop the weapon! Put it down now!
- Put the g*n down.

- Easy. It's okay.
- [cop] Drop the g*n!

MILITARY POLICE

All right! Hands on your head!

Turn around. Do it.

Hey, Raimundo.

Hey, hey.

- Remember? It's Dr. Joana.
- Hands behind your back.

You know me.

Let's go back to the hospital.

Come with us.

That's it.

That's it.

[tense music playing]

Thanks. I got it. Bye.

Good evening. Ladies and gentlemen,

people of Goiânia.

I've called this press conference
because I want to reassure you.

And the best way to do that

is for you all to hear from the man who is
best positioned to prove our city is safe.

The director of
the National Nuclear Energy Commission,

Dr. Beny Orenstein.

Thank you, Doctor.

Good evening.

[all] Good evening, Doctor.

Thank you all.

We have used scintillometers
to measure radiation levels

along the banks of the river
that supplies the city.

And we did not discover
any form of contamination

above the baseline levels
established by the team.

And therefore, if some of this powder
did make it into the river,

it does not represent any kind of danger.

So you did find
traces of radiation in the water?

- No. That's not what I said.
- [man] The cesium, Doctor!

Could the powder
have made its way into people's homes?

Dr. Orenstein,
to be clear to the people of Goiânia,

how contaminated is the water here?

Do you recommend
we drink the tap water or not?

[tense music playing]

[woman] Is the population's
drinking water contaminated?

[man] Doctor…

[water pouring]

[man] Are you getting this?

I guess it's safe.

- [Beny grunts]
- [Paula] Excuse me.

- [bottle bangs down]
- [quietly] Everything's okay.

I want to assure everyone in Goiânia

that the water in this city is 100% safe.

Only one well was contaminated and unsafe,

and we've already shut it down.

Dr. Paula Matos over there

has the results from the lab in her hands
if anyone wants to look at them.

Our team's primary concern now…

is to decontaminate
the worst hit locations in the city.

Dr. Orenstein,
I just received a troubling report.

We just heard about a truck containing
paper contaminated with radiation

leaving Goiânia and arriving at
a recycled paper factory in São Paulo.

Paper? What's she talking about?

[reporter] Did CNEN know about this?

That factory was already shut down,
and the situation is no longer a concern!

So you concealed this fact
from the population, is that correct?

- [scoffs]
- Dr. Orenstein! Just tell us.

Is it possible that
Goiânia is exporting materials

contaminated by this radiation
to the rest of Brazil?

[gasps quietly]

[horns honking, sirens blaring]

[dramatic music playing]

[dramatic music ends]

[soft music playing]

[somber music playing]

[music ends]