01x02 - Episode 2

[bunniefuu]

PREVIOUSLY

[Nina Simone] ♪ Hound dogs on my trail
Schoolchildren… ♪

[radio announcer]
…clashes pitting hundreds of demonstrators

-against law enforcement.
-[passerby] Not that way, man. Trouble.

[Nina Simone]
♪ I think every day is gonna be my last ♪

[radio announcer]
The violent charges by motorcycle police

contributed to the death
of one young man only 22 years old.

Your brother Malik was found
last night in a stairwell

where doctors pronounced him dead.

The police did this. They k*lled Malik.

But going after the police is dangerous.
This is gonna be rough on you.

Nobody can know. No stone unturned.

We need a version that's rock solid.

Does he have any ties to t*rrorists?

He's been a good student,
troubles and all.

-What do you mean troubles?
-A renal insufficiency.

[radio announcer 2]
His death was not caused by blows

but was a cardiac failure
by a kidney condition.

The police are aware of it
if it's on the radio.

-[student] Malik is a victim of the state!
-[cheering]

They'll make him a martyr.

All the banners say
"Justice for Malik" already.

[Cassini] He was carrying a Bible
in his pocket. We'll have to look into it.

By God, you better look into it!

-[student 1] Justice for Malik!
-[student 2] Justice for Malik!

-[sobs]
-[Mohamed] Maintain our dignity.

[demonstrators chattering]

[camera shutter clicks]

DEATH IS SILENT

Mrs. Oussekine. I just wanted to say,
what they did to Malik is disgusting.

I promise you they won't get away with it.

We'll fight this to the end.
You must believe me.

-You must believe me.
-Okay, that's enough. Come on.

Please forgive him.

If you're ready, let's begin.

Black and white?

That's right.

It's all I have.

Okay. We can start.

Autopsy of Malik Oussekine.

Subject:
male, 22, about 130 pounds, 5'7" tall.

Multiple hematomas
in the mid-abdominal region.

-[shutter clicking]
-Evidence of CPR efforts noted.

Multiple hematomas also observed
in the facial area.

A small hematoma on the cheek.
Nose fractured. Hematoma on the forehead.

-Additional bruising in the shoulder area.
-[demonstrators cheering]

[cheering grows louder]

[in Arabic] What's that all about?

[in English] I don't know.

[applause, cheering]

PASQUA-MONORY
SAME STRUGGLE

[cheering continues]

Chirac announced
the Devaquet bill is withdrawn.

Mr. Oussekine. Hi.

I met you at the university.
Do you remember me?

-[Mohamed] Uh, yeah, I think so.
-[Stéphane] We won. We did it.

The administration has given up.

Almost a million people are marching
for your brother all over France.

It's a beautiful thing.

[Mohamed] Yeah, beautiful.

[Stéphane] Come with me.
I want you to meet someone.

[demonstrators]
♪ Your reform, your reform ♪

♪ Devaquet, I wish you knew ♪

♪ Where you can stuff it… ♪

[in Arabic] I want to go home.

[demonstrators, in English]
…your reform must go away.

Hey, hey, Devaquet,
never see the light of day.

Ah. So?

Here's the case file
from the court administrative office.

Not a moment too soon.
We have 48 hours to file the complaint.

-Hey.
-Hey.

The criminal court assigned Judge Jeannin?

Yes. Not the kind to rock the boat.

You think he'll let this go to trial?

Can't say.

Read the EMS report.

Quite interesting.

Sarah!

[in Arabic] Who is that man?

[in English] No idea.

You don't say goodbye?
Just go home and that's it?

I couldn't find you anymore.
I gotta take my mom to Meudon.

[demonstrators chanting]
Police have blood on their hands!

Police have blood on their hands!
Police have blood on their hands!

-Better not stay here.
-[chanting continues]

[demonstrator] Police are murderers!

[demonstrators chanting]
Police have blood on their hands.

-I'll see you at the apartment, okay?
-[chanting continues]

Thanks for being there for me.

[chanting continues]

[chanting continues]

What happened?

[coughing]

There's pepper spray in the elevator.

[continues coughing]

[Mohamed coughs]

FILTHY ARABS

DEATH TO RAGHEADS

GO BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM

Don't worry. It's nothing.

ARABS OUT

[Mohamed sniffs]

There was nothing we could do.

I'm so sorry.

[door closes]

[Fatna] She can't stay here.

-It could happen again.
-Don't worry. I'm here now.

No, seriously, what do we do?

Come stay with me in Paris, Mom.
It'll be a lot safer.

Would that change anything?

[in Arabic]
They'll find us there just the same.

Don't be naive.

[in English] It'll start all over again.

[in Arabic] We need to bury him,
so he will rest in peace.

[sighs]

[In English]
Look, Mom. It's not that simple.

It's blown up out of proportion.

The legal system is handling it now.
There's an investigation.

I know that.

I know that.

Let me rest.

I've seen too much for one day.

I'm gonna go lie down.

[sniffles]

[door closes]

[Malik] Can I have some more, please?

Oh, no. You've had plenty!

[Aïcha, in Arabic]
Sarah, leave your brother be.

[sighs]

MAY 21, 1973

[in English] Thank you.

[whispers] Hey. Okay, now watch this.

Mommy, what's for dessert?

[in Arabic] Finish your plate first.

[in English] Okay, but what's for dessert?

Maybe some formage.

[children laughing]

[in English] It's fromage, Mommy!
Not formage.

You put the "R" in the wrong place.

[children laugh]

Fromage or formage.

[in Arabic] It's all the same.

[Aïcha] Are you making fun of me?

Tell me, do you know how to say…

[reciting verses in Arabic]

[door closes]

[Aïcha] Now it's your turn.

[reciting verses in Arabic]

[in English] Needs some work.

[all chuckle]

[reciting verses in Arabic]

-[Sarah, Ben Amar laugh]
-[in English] Why are you laughing? Huh?

They're making fun of me
because I don't speak Arabic.

-[Sarah, Ben Amar chuckling]
-You don't?

He can't even remember the opening sura.

[Malik] I don't care.
What good is Arabic anyway?

[giggles]

[in Arabic] Sarah, get the "sheese."

[Sarah, in English] Okay.

[Aïcha, in Arabic] Finish your food.

[Sarah, in English] Here.

[Cassini] Come in.

Go ahead.

Thank you for coming in, sir.

I was under the impression
that I had no choice.

Would you please have a seat?

[chuckles]
It's a-- an old police technique.

Whenever a suspect is not forthcoming,

after a while,
the detectives bring him here.

I'll invite him to sit down,
and I'll speak to him politely,

make sure he knows
that I'm genuinely interested in him,

that he can trust me.

And most of the time,
he will lower his guard.

It's "the carpet effect."
That's what I call it.

Do you know what I wanted
to see you about?

By adding two and two, yes.

About Malik.

You two were acquainted?

Yes.

But in terms of what happened,
none of that is relevant.

Malik was Catholic, wasn't he?

There's a Lebanese Christian t*rror1st
group to which we believe he was tied.

Is that right?

Did he confide in you concerning that?

Malik was nothing like a t*rror1st.

That's absurd.

And perfectly obscene.

Malik's conversion was not done,

and indeed,
I'm in a position to know that.

They found this on him.

That's not common for an Algerian, is it?

Oh, so that's how you found me?

May I have a look?

It belonged to my mother.

HOLY BIBLE

I had given it to Malik.

Why?

With your fantastic carpet effect,
what do you hope I'll say?

Malik was a catechumen.

Excuse me?

I was instructing Malik
in the Christian faith, if you will.

But he wasn't baptized.

Please tell me that wasn't the reason
the police beat him to death.

Just tell me what it is
you want from me, all right?

Shouldn't you be out there questioning
those who actually did this?

Following the truth is
the only way possible…

for a priest, as for a policeman.

[officer] Move! Get outta here!

-[sirens blaring]
-Hey, you! Stop right there!

I'm talking to you. Stop!

Stop! Hey! Stop!

[people chattering]

[panting]

[motorcycles approaching]

[Pandraud] As for the current status
of the investigation,

I can tell you
that law enforcement acted faithfully

and that the police officers did
their duty as they were instructed:

that is, to apprehend rioters
engaged in acts of violence.

Notably those
on the rue Monsieur-Le-Prince.

I also have here the first official
findings from the coroner's autopsy.

They leave no doubt.

Injuries occurred by Malik Oussekine

positively do not alone explain
the cause of death.

We understand it resulted from a serious
kidney condition chronic in the victim.

[journalists clamoring]

-Yes, miss.
-[journalist] Mr. Minister,

how do you explain the brutality here
and the motorcycle units out of control?

Evidence suggests
that Malik Oussekine was not a rioter.

Well, listen.

In my own family,
if I had a son who was on dialysis,

I would make sure he didn't clown around
in the streets of Paris.

[journalists clamoring]

They didn't tape it shut?

Uh, no.

They showed ID cards?

No.

But they knew that I-- I'm due to renew
my resident permit in one month.

They made it clear
that if I didn't open it, they would--

It's fine, Mrs. Pires.

Don't worry about it.
I'll take care of it.

You know,
your little brother was very sweet.

[Ben Amar] Thank you, Mrs. Pires.

AGAINST THE VIOLENCE
THE SILENCE OF THE STREET

Chirac thinks withdrawing the law
will appease them.

He's even making plans
to go visit the family.

And they're marching again tomorrow.

Sure. Why would they stop now?

Of course, now the left is politicizing
the whole affair.

Anything new on your side?

We've come up against a roadblock
on the terrorism angle.

And apparently, the boy had no involvement
in the demonstration either.

He was there by accident?
At 1:00 in the morning?

Mr. Minister,
we have several eyewitnesses,

and some are police officers.

They saw the motor units pursue Oussekine
down rue Monsieur-le-Prince.

There's pressure
from the prosecutor's office.

From now on, the IGS is acting
under a rogatory commission.

We have to talk to members
of the motor unit.

I have higher-ups to answer to.

I'm the one you answer to, Cassini.

I won't let them make this
about the police.

Not while I'm still breathing.

Homer
The Odyssey

Were you aware…

that Malik wanted to convert?

Yeah. He told me.

I know he talked to a priest.

He did?

Why didn't he tell us?

[pager beeps]

Kiejman's number.

[pager beeps]

They tried to force dismissal
by accusing Malik of what happened to him.

It's always the same tactic
with cases like this.

Cases like this?

You mean when it's a Maghrebian victim?

[Kiejman]
And the suspects are police officers, yes.

But it's not in our interest
to go that route yet.

How do we prove this crime is r*cist?

I assume you're going to request
an expert opinion?

[Kiejman] Yes. Of course we will.

But it won't be enough. We must answer
the media as*ault right away.

Or else it will be too late.
The damage will be done.

[Dartevelle] We have something.

But we have to be quick about it
and get it on the evening news tonight.

Mohamed, will you come along?

[sighs]

I know nothing about that.

I don't even know what you're saying.
We just followed orders.

There were rioters.

We dispersed the gathering
in a proactive manner.

But you pursued them
down Monsieur-le-Prince?

That's against squad protocol.
We're not supposed to dism--

That wasn't the question. Did you proceed
on foot along Monsieur-le-Prince?

No. We stopped
at the rue Racine intersection.

Why is that?

The pavement was wet. That was why.
My bike went into a skid.

-A skid?
-Right.

I didn't see it happen,
but, uh, his bike went over.

And, uh, he wasn't injured, but, uh,

I got off to help out.

But that's all. I got back on my bike.

-[interrogator 1] That's strange.
-[officer] Why?

Because there are a number of witnesses.

They all say the same thing more or less.

What do they say?

That you were on foot and that you walked
down Monsieur-le-Prince.

Pursuing someone, I take it.

No, they're lying.

Officers of a police detachment?
Why would they lie?

Why would they all lie?

They saw you enter


There's no denying it.

That's impossible.

[interrogator 1] And then
they saw you come out a few minutes later,

get on your vehicles and ride away.

Whoever they saw, it wasn't me.

It could have been anyone.

[interrogator 2] A lone policeman
on a white bike, skidding on wet pavement,

assisted by a second officer.

Who else in the unit
has a white motorcycle?

No one.

I have the only one.

So, you're the officer who fell?

Come on. I just told you.
Yeah, I skidded out.

Afterward, I was stunned.
And, I mean, possibly we could've, uh--

uh, could've pursued rioters.
It's possible, yeah.

So, you did enter the building.

No.

[sighs] We'd, um…

We-- Yeah, um…

I, uh--

I did see fellow officers having trouble
subduing some protestors, yeah.

And, uh, I--
I just wanted to assist them. That's all.

But I didn't punch anyone.

No one punched anyone.

We went in and there was, uh…

uh, a little jostling.

And then we just left.

We left right away.

Yet, a witness saw
one man go back inside the stairway.

And he had his g*n drawn when he came out.

Yeah, well, it's possible. Uh…

Oh, that's right. Now I recall.

Because we were in a hall
chasing protesters.

Right. Then they quickly ran back out
and started to flee.

Then we started to give chase,
but I noticed, uh…

uh, somehow in the scuffle,
I dropped my g*n.

And then I asked Giorgi to--
to help me find it.

Giorgi?

Yeah, Giorgi.

[interrogator 1] Schmitt told us
he sent you to look for his g*n.

You can't make that up.

-Why are you protecting him?
-I'm not protecting him.

If he dropped his weapon,
then he deserves a reprimand.

It doesn't mean he's a m*rder*r.

So, you admit you entered the building?

Mm-hmm.

And so, when you reached the place
in order to look for Schmitt's g*n,

did you see anything in particular?

Someone lying on the ground?

No. Not that I saw.

Well, wait. Yeah.
There was just one guy, uh…

He was somebody, uh, from the building.
He's the one.

He had found my g*n, picked it up,
gave it to me. Then he went home.

And I went back to my squad.

One second.

[TV reporter]
Public Prosecutor Michel Jéol has issued

a statement regarding this case,
that is to say, the death of young Malik.

The cause of death was something
he called cardiac decompensation

in the context of trauma,

and that the injuries on their own,
uh, incurred in the beating,

by themselves,
can't be considered the cause of death.

The investigating judge has requested
an additional expert opinion and…

[TV mutes]

Enough television.

I won't listen to any more of this.

[In Arabic]
They finished the autopsy. Very well.

Now they need to return my son

so I can bury him with dignity
beside his father in Algeria.

[In English] You know, Mom, I--

I'm not sure
that's what Malik would have wanted.

What?

I don't think Malik thought
it was important to be buried there.

I'm not sure if he discussed it with you--

Discussed what?

Never mind.

It's not important.

We'll do as you say.

[footsteps departing]

[door opens, closes]

Hasn't she already suffered enough?

And lying to her, is that better?

I just wanna do
what Malik would want to do.

And he was French. That's all.

We should have the funeral here.

[lock clicks, door opens]

[door closes]

[footsteps approaching]

Turn up the sound.

[TV reporter] Furthermore, Mr. Kiejman,
the lawyer for young Malik's family,

disputes the official version as to
the cause of death and circumstances,

and they do so
after examining the case file.

In this file, we have a statement
from the EMS coordinating doctor,

from which I will read you a few lines.

In regards to Malik,
the doctor says, and I quote,

"At the time of the incident, this person
was not suffering from a heart attack,

was struck hard in the back of the head.

I consider this person
clinically deceased.

However, it would be best not to share
this information with the demonstrators

in order to avoid any further incidents."

I think it's deplorable that
this important information was omitted

from the so-called objective announcement
by the authorities today,

[TV reporter]
Christine Villemin was brought…

[TV shuts off]

Yeah, he's good.

Right?

That shifts the pressure
to the other side.

They'll have some explaining to do.

Is he all right?

Let it go.

He's trying to prove
that he is the one protecting Mom.

Why are you protecting him?

Mr. Giorgi Christian:
I'm not protecting him. If…

[sighs]

You could have prepared them a bit.

I wanna help,
but I can't protect them from themselves.

It's obvious their statements are littered
with bullshit.

The investigators would've made them crack
if I hadn't put a hold to it.

So I hope they make use of the extra time
to get their stories straight.

I didn't know about the weapon.

I get the feeling there are a lot
of things you don't know.

Listen, if my men did something wrong,
they will have to answer for that.

And if it's my command that's at fault,
I'm in the hot seat.

It's a matter of honor:
Mine and that of the police.

Commendable,
but that's not really the problem.

My job is not to jam all the gears up.
On the contrary.

I have to ensure the machine
doesn't stop running,

so the police can continue to serve us
without hindrance or insult.

Understand?

You're dismissed, Commissioner.

-[fado music playing on radio]
-[singing along]

Come on in. It's ready.

[continues singing]

None of the police officers acknowledged
having struck the student, Malik Oussekine

Agent Garcia and Brigadier Chief Schmitt
were interviewed by the IGS inspectors.

You all right, Jissé?

Yeah. I'm fine.

[resumes singing]

[imam chanting prayer in Arabic]

[person, in Arabic]
I know someone at the consulate.

He can help you bring the body home.
But you must act quickly.

[chanting continues]

[Aïcha] Mohamed doesn't want to.

He is the one to decide,
and his sister agrees with him.

I don't have it in me
to argue with them anymore.

[inhales deeply]

They think they're French.

It's our fault…

for letting them think
this is even possible.

[person 2 murmurs]

[chanting continues]

-[imam reciting verses]
-[prayer group responds]

[call and response continues]

[call and response continues]

[call and response continues]

[recitation continues]

[Kiejman]
Garcia admitted to entering the lobby.

They're starting to break.

[sighs]

If he confessed, why not book him then?
It seems simple.

They might actually wait
till they work up a case

against other policemen
they think also participated.

I'm sure there will be
a preliminary hearing.

Perhaps even a reconstitution.

[Mohamed clears throat]

All things considered, this is great news.

So let's take heart.

[clears throat]

The reason we're meeting today…

Uh, as you know, I'm occasionally
in touch with the president.

Mitterrand has already expressed
his grief for Malik.

He would like to personally offer
his condolences to your mother.

What arrangements have you made
for the funeral?

We'll have a quiet ceremony in Meudon.

It will be easier on my mother
if he's close to home.

I understand, but it won't be easy
to maintain your privacy.

And I'm not really sure it's best either.

Malik means so much now.

To so many people.

So, you didn't tell me
about your first day.

You told me nothing at all, not one thing.

-How did it go?
-It was fine.

Sure, it was fine, but what was it like?

-Well--
-[Schmitt] Jissé!

Who is that?

Hmm?

Hello, ma'am.

[Mrs. Garcia] Hello.

They-- I work with them.

-[Giorgi] Ah, more like friends.
-Ah.

-[Mrs. Garcia] What a pleasure.
-Delighted.

Pleasure, ma'am.

Oh, we just came to say a quick hello
and chat with our buddy here.

How nice.

Go upstairs.
I'll see you in a few minutes.

We got a couple of things to talk about.
He'll be up in a little while.

Oh, it's no problem. Have a nice day.

-Have a nice day.
-Have a nice day, ma'am.

What's up? You're MIA. What's going on?

-Excuse me.
-[passerby] Hello.

-Hey.
-Hello.

You have a nice mom.

And it's good that you help her
with the shopping.

You're a good son.

Nothing's more important than family, huh?

What do you want?

Just a little courtesy visit to make sure
everything is okay, that's all.

Yeah, because family,
that's what's important.

And, in our family,
we take good care of each other.

Do you understand?

Look at me.

Did you go talking bullshit?

I didn't name anyone.

I said nothing.

Misunderstandings can happen. You panic.

Say things you wanna take back.
How old are you?

I'm 22.

Well, there it is. Just a kid, huh?

Kids make mistakes.

You still have time to take it back.
Did you know that?

Witnesses saw it all, man.

That's not a problem.
Witnesses can say what they want.

That guy we saw there?

We're not afraid. No one will find him.

We made it clear
he should keep his mouth closed.

Come on. You're a good guy.
Go back and tell the truth.

Make your mom proud, all right?

"I recommend you show some restraint
for once," I said. I was irritated.

Pow! He looks decisive.

So that was obvious disrespect.

Pulling myself together immediately, I use
my intimidation technique for effect,

blowing his mind, in short, showing him
that he was going to regret it.

-Poof! Poof! "All right…"
-Could you pass me my sweater?

"You idiot!" Blatant aggression!
I was in a state of agony! I was dying!

It was churning in my brain.
It was smoking. It was farting.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Once again.

Pop! Pop! Pop! And it was clear.

Pow! Whoa!

Mr. Williams!

[TV shuts off]

Should I call in to work?

I'll tell them I'm sick
so I can stay with you.

NATIONAL
POLICE

No, that's all right.

You shouldn't have problems because of me.

You know, this job is only temporary.

I'll find something else.

I promise.

[door closes]

[Sarah] Red light, green light.
One, two, three!

Red light, green light. One, two, three!

JUNE 10, 1973

Red light, green light. One, two, three!

Malik, you're out!

But that's not fair!

[Sarah] Red light, green light.
One, two, three!

[children giggling]

Red light, green light. One, two, three!

Oh, Ali! Throw it here!

You deaf or something?

What's this?

My name is not Ali. My name is Miloud.

Miloud.

If you don't know my name, call me sir.

[scoffs] If you say so.

Play the game, René! That guy is nobody!

[René] Did you see that?
Who do they think they are?

Unbelievable.

Let's go, kids.
[in Arabic] Let's go home.

Pardon me. Thank you.
Excuse me. Let me through.

[journalist 1] We're standing
right outside the building

where the family of Malik Oussekine lives
in the city of Meudon.

He's the young student who died during
the demonstration just three days ago

and who will be buried
at Père Lachaise cemetery.

[journalist 2] …statements
from one of the police is that…

…Sergeant Garcia confessed
to having struck young Malik Oussekine.

[in Arabic] Thank you.

And Fatna, where is she?

Come on. Call her, please.

[phone ringing]

[Marc] Fatna Oussekine?

What's this about?

[ringing continues]

No! [gasps]

-Just a little closer. Come on.
-[police officer] Step back. You hear?

-Please, step back.
-[people clamoring]

[clamoring continues]

Yes, it is President François Mitterrand.

President Mitterrand, excuse me!

President Mitterrand,
one question for Channel 2, please!

-Mr. President!
-[all clamoring]

[journalist 1] Was the family notified
in advance of your visit?

President Mitterrand, please!

-He's here!
-[doorbell rings]

[door opens]

-[bodyguard] Hello, ma'am.
-[Sarah] Hello.

-Ma'am.
-Welcome.

Hello.

-[cameraman] Hello.
-Hello.

Hello.

Is that where you'll be sitting?

Uh, yes.

In that case, if you don't mind,

I'm going to move this
to make room for my tripod.

There we are.

-[Fatna screams]
-Shut up!

[Marc] So you prettied yourself up,
filthy wh*re!

[cries] No, please! Don't, please!
I'm begging. Stop!

-[David] Shut up!
-[screaming]

Stop!

-Shut up!
-[neighbor] Hey! What are you doing there?

Hey, you're not Zorro, grandpa!
Get out of here!

-I've already called the police!
-[Marc] Let's go.

[footsteps departing]

-[groans]
-Here. Let me help you.

You all right?

Mrs. Oussekine, thank you very much
for welcoming me into your home.

-Hello, Mr. President.
-Hello.

[staffer] Hello.

-Hello.
-Hello.

-Hello.
-Hello.

Hello.

[people shouting]

[demonstrators chanting] CRS, SS! CRS, SS!

[demonstrator] CRS assholes!

[cheering]

[motorcycles approaching]

Get on him! Stay on him! Go!

Stop right there!

[panting]

Stop where you are!

Come on!

[Schmitt] Hurry up! Let's go! Let's go!

Excuse me, sir! Excuse me! Please, sir!

[interrogator] Let's begin, Mr. Bayzelon.

The first time I saw Malik Oussekine was
on rue Monsieur-le-Prince.

He was being chased by the police.

[imam chanting in Arabic]

[group chanting]

[imam continues]

[group responds]

[imam continues]

[group responds]

[group continues reciting verses]

[group continues reciting verses]

[recitation ends]

[crying]

JULY 5, 1977

Homer
The Odyssey

[horn honking]

-Miss you! You too, okay?
-Don't worry.

-[Sarah] Mmm.
-I will think of you every day, you know?

What are they doing?

[horn honks]

[Miloud] Hurry it up!

[Fatna speaks Arabic]

[ship horn blowing]

[chattering]