Variola Vera

Poland, 1963. Lucja Winter, an experienced intelligence officer, returns from a top-secret mission in India as a smallpox outbreak erupts in one of Poland’s cities – Wroclaw. It is soon sealed off from the outside world in an effort to contain a virus believed to have disappeared from Europe. As doctors led by the young and ambitious Weronika Przybysz fight the epidemic, journalist Igor Bielik searches for the truth behind the outbreak.

Our take

A thriller at the crossroads between a medical drama and an espionage story, Variola Vera draws inspiration from the 1963 smallpox outbreak in Wrocław, Poland, to deliver a high-tension narrative. Visually stunning, Kuba Czekaj’s direction transcends mere historical reenactment offering a bold audiovisual experience. The series stands out through its distinctive formal approach, blending fiction with a documentary aesthetic fueled by archival footage. This pop-infused stylistic approach transforms a gripping true story into a sharp political satire.