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We dont have so many deaths so far, but each day its increasing.
Unofficially, people think the numbers are much higher, because we dont have enough tests.
Our government acted pretty fast, but the tsunami is slowly coming.
But also, they listen to the government which is sometimes a good thing, and sometimes not.
The right-wing government is insisting on having elections on May 10, which is incredible.
They are using the coronavirus situation to win the presidential election.
Because in times like this, its easy for populist politicians to manipulate society.
About three weeks ago, all schools and theaters, cinemas, restaurants closed.
And then, step by step, they increased the restrictions.
The shops are open in the morning for two hours only for seniors.
The police are everywhere, my friends told me.
Im in the countryside.
This is a region that was originally German before World War II.
Afterwards, it was one of the poorest areas in Poland.
It is still very poor.
People dont travel much here.
Theyre all sitting in their houses.
I am in a village of 14 houses.
Theres almost no one here.
I can walk to the lake.
I have a little garden.
I have a go at shop twice a week.
We travel by car and it takes us approximately 40 minutes to get there.
We give a shot to do it evenings, just before closing hours.
We usually wait 15 to 20 minutes outside.
And then we go in, and I feel like Im almost alone inside the store.
Its definitely much calmer here.
You cant feel a panic yet, but I think its growing.
The first week, I had a lot of doubts about all these cancellations and restrictions.
I was trying to analyze the whole situation, trying to not feel too much anxiety.
Of course, they changed their model.
Now, people are dying.
Its hard to understand and digest that it has turned into a very, very serious and heavy thing.
I started to take it really seriously when I saw how huge an impact it had on me personally.
For example, the cinemas are locked down.
They are not paying distributors.
Distributors are not paying producers.
Producers are not paying artists.
My husband is an actor and writer.
I am a film director and writer.
Im an economical value because I have a talent.
I can do whatever I want because I can always find a job, anywhere!We are egoists.
We think that its always going to be something behind us, that nothing will happen to us.
And now, we realize thats bullshit.
Im a person whos always moving, and walking.
Im always doing something.
In the house, I have to find wood, work on the chimney, cook for my children.
Im also trying to keep myself in good shape.
Im doing yoga, and other exercises.
Im trying to meditate each day for 10 minutes to keep myself balanced.
But also, Im working.
He sends me pieces of my film and I send him back notes.
I was very excited to haveThe Other Lambin IFC theaters, in Los Angeles and New York.
My filmmaker friends from around the world were congratulating me.
I never expected that kind of interest.
Im not famous in the U.S. Im a European independent director.
So, maybe paradoxically, this helped a little bit, because mine is a little film.
Im reading a lot of scripts, many from the U.S. Of course, Im reading books.
Im a very good reader, but its hard to concentrate.
Im reading an American author Jonathan Franzen, his old bookStrong Motion.
Plus Im reading Susan Sontags diaries, published by her son.
Its the second time Im reading them.
I feel a very strong connection to Susan.
Its easier than Franzen, who I love, but hes so complicated.
You have to be really focused, and Im just blowing away because of my anxiety.
Plus, I have David Foster Wallace.
Im also reading a Polish Nobel prize winner from this year, Olga Tokarczuk, who is amazing.
She published on her Instagram some of her feelings about this time.
She lives in a little village like I am in now.
Now, she sees him every day in dirty clothes, planting trees in his garden.
But now, every day, they are trying to walk this dog.
She writes these little things, like only a writer can do these little observations of hope.
Of course, Im watching films.
Im watching them with my son, who is 14, but very mature and smart.
So, for example, we watchedThere Will be Blood, which I love.
Then we watchedBlade Runner, the old one.
That moment when Rutger Hauer is dying, and the speech that he gives its heartbreaking.
I had forgotten these little details.
My son was like, Too much.
Now, I want to watchMirrorby Andrei Tarkovsky.
It was always my favorite film, and Im ready to watch it again.
Its a dark time, so Im watching only dark films.
I said to myself that maybe the next film I do will be a comedy.
