Only one thing mattered in my life.
Boxing.
Thai boxing.
Each year seemed too long. I wanted to be the best.
I wanted to be a great boxer.
I had the strength.
The rage.
Give me a chance. I was ready.
That's all that I had.
I had wagered everything on it.
Punches. That's all I knew.
I had scores to even.
Take revenge and gain my father's respect.
Anywhere. Anytime.
I thought about my childhood.
It had made me tough
and a danger to myself and others.
I was worthy of my nickname.
Scorpion.
Training was my life.
I trained every day. I was disciplined.
The time had come for my big fights.
Angelo?
Come up here.
I won't lie to you.
We've been considering you for the championship fight.
And you've trained really hard.
But we have doubts.
I know you can do it.
We're not sure if this is the right time.
Physically you're ready.
- We have doubts about the mental part. - Mental part?
Wait.
It's a matter of self-confidence and discipline.
Of maturity.
You're going too fast.
We've hesitated between you and Patrick.
That piece of shit?
We've decided to pick Patrick.
Shit.
Angelo. Be an athlete.
Angelo. Wait for your turn.
Patrick!
Look at your champion.
He's a shitbag.
Motherfucker.
I should have shut my mouth.
Wait for my turn.
I lost my temper.
They were right.
I was unpredictable.
I knew I had done a stupid thing.
But I didn't know how it'd change my life.
Without boxing I wouldn't last long.
I behaved like a prick and got burned.
The next day Patrick and his buddies found me.
Shit.
I stayed next to him.
The cops came and I let them take me away.
That was the end of boxing.
That was the end of me.
6 YEARS LATER...
Now I was a bum.
A piece of shit.
That's what I had become.
I wasn't fit for this life.
I had paid the price of happiness.
Good morning.
I was at your place.
How are you?
Angelo, they let you out 6 months ago.
For 6 months you've locked yourself up in that shithole.
So you know where to find me.
What are you up to?
What do you care?
Nice new car.
It's not new. I've had it awhile.
Wanna go for a ride?
It's chow time.
We'll go out tonight.
I'll come by and take you away.
Take me away? Take me away from this shit?
The car must've cost you a lot of dough.
Don't worry. It was a good deal.
So it was a good deal.
How's business? Are you working hard?
You have no idea.
Will you come tonight?
- I'll come pick you up. - Sure.
Shit.
How are you?
I've set up a meeting.
This is Angelo.
Are you in shape?
We have to talk.
Two drinks please.
I'll have a beer.
What a jerk.
Don't start.
I know him.
He'd come to the club.
He's a rat with a rat's face.
I don't like his stare or his face.
Have you seen yours?
Be right back. I have to welcome some friends.
Welcome your friends.
Moise?
Good evening, madam.
Do you know him?
You don't know me. It's my first time here.
You look like an angel.
Where did you come from?
And where did you come from?
From outside.
I was in prison.
It's a long story. I was a boxer.
You're a boxer and a heavy drinker?
I just started to drink.
Since I got out of prison.
I'm no heavy drinker.
I read a book in prison.
Written by a pilot.
"The Little Prince".
There's a rose in the book.
A rose that talks. You're like that rose.
You don't belong here.
I don't?
Neither do you.
That's true.
That was funny.
- I'm funny. - That's right.
My life was anything but fun.
That's alright.
Virginie?
Will you tell me something cool?
- No. - No?
How about inviting me to lunch?
Are you kidding me?
No, you can invite me to lunch.
I eat at 2 p.m., corner of Saint-Jean and Elizabeth.
- Do you know the place? - Not yet.
So is it a date?
I'll be there.
Me too.
Not bad... Alright.
See you tomorrow.
I'm late.
Nice clothes. Are you trying to please someone?
Well...
You talk more at night than during the day.
Yes.
Are you shy?
That's right.
- Are you disappointed? - No, I eat crap.
I meant myself.
I think I've seen you before.
Are you from Saint-Ouen?
My mother lives there.
"The City of Acacias".
Now I live in the 3rd neighborhood.
Do you visit Saint-Ouen?
Every Wednesday I visit my mom. I buy her groceries.
And your job at the club? Does it pay well?
It's fine. It's a temp job.
What do you want to do?
It's 2:30 p.m. I gotta go.
You have a car?
No.
No? Alright.
I'll handle that.
Thanks.
- Will you come tonight? - Come where?
To the club.
My boss, Marcus, will be there.
He wants to see you.
You'll get along. You'll see.
Bye.
How much do I owe?
19,80.
Are you alright?
Be back in a few minutes.
Will you stand the whole night?
Let me introduce you to my partners
and my new friend Lea.
It's a purely professional friendship.
She's writing an article about me.
About successful people from the suburbs.
Do you know I'm a celebrity?
It fascinates her.
Am I right?
More or less.
What do you mean more or less?
It means the article has been paid for.
Angelo?
I have plans for you.
I noticed you a long time ago.
I have something serious for you.
You'll be able to express yourself.
Earn a living.
Earn a good living thanks to me.
I'll finish the interview and we'll talk.
Take it easy.
Have fun and make yourself at home.
Are you alright?
I was looking for you.
Let's sit down.
I'm leaving. Bye.
Goodbye, madam.
See you later.
I'm sorry about today.
Usually I'm not late.
I have some time for you. Are you coming?
I'll wait for you.
I'll be back.
Have a seat.
Want some?
No, thanks.
How about a drink?
No, thanks.
Free fights.
A combination of the best techniques.
They're illegal in France.
The federation and the politicians don't permit them.
They're officially sanctioned abroad.
It's what we have to aim for.
Here they're held in secret.
No rules and no referee.
You're made for this.
You can be one of the best.
I saw your Thai boxing fights.
Business is my specialty.
All this is for my pleasure.
For me.
For my friends.
I do business in all of Paris.
I know people.
A lot of people.
And this is my passion.
You can make a lot of money.
So?
I don't know.
I'm sorry.
- Did you see a blonde with long hair? - She left.
I'm sorry.
What are you doing here?
- Good morning. - Are you stalking me?
Not at all. This is pure chance.
Chance?
You have a kid?
Can't you see?
Indeed I can.
What do you want?
- Nothing. - Nothing?
- Are you coming inside, Milan? - I'll wait outside.
Don't go anywhere.
I'll show you something.
- Would you like to see? - Yes.
An ordinary pack of cigarettes, right?
This cigarette has electrical properties.
Tap it against the fingernail.
It will charge.
Warm up the tip.
Blow on it.
Look.
Want to try?
It worked.
On the other nostril?
Milan, hurry up. We're leaving.
Wait, mommy. We're playing.
Milan, sit over there and wait for me.
Please, pumpkin. Go.
Are you stalking me?
I have enough problems.
I know guys like you and I avoid them. Alright?
Alright. Don't get angry.
I'm not angry.
I'm telling you what I think.
Leave me alone and beat it.
Who do you think you are?
Do you know why I spent those 3 hours with you?
Because it's part of my job, alright?
A service paid by your friend, Moise.
You know what that is?
- Excuse me? - You don't understand?
Yes, a service.
- You're a whore. - What?
I'm not a whore.
Did I sleep with you?
Did I? No.
So I'm not a whore.
Now beat it.
The bastard.
What a bastard.
The bastard.
You treated me like a piece of shit.
Why the hell did you pay her?
It seemed like the right thing. I wanted to help you.
Did you see how you looked?
Look at yourself, damn it!
Look who you've become!
And who are you, motherfucker?
I'm not that important, but I'm respected.
I respect myself.
How much longer, Moise?
How much longer?
That night I made my decision.
I would become someone else.
A raging motherfucker. A winning machine.
No holds barred and nothing matters.
No more crap about a noble art.
Hit.
Smash.
With all my rage.
Release the anger within me.
I'll become a wild beast.
I'll once more become Scorpion.
The legs!
Get up!
I'm proud of you.
This is our first fight. We'll go far.
Clean yourself up.
Let's go.
How do you feel?
Good.
I haven't felt this good in a long time.
I don't like to fight on the ground. I'm not good at it.
Don't worry.
You'll improve. You have talent.
You'll feel increasingly better.
I was a little worried early on.
- Who were those guys with cameras? - They were recording for the internet.
This is for you.
A bonus for the first fight. That counts.
Angelo? Where are you going?
Come here.
What's going on?
Who's the champion of this evening?
You see?
I manage many things.
Both good and bad.
I fought for those good and forgot about the bad.
I know you well.
You weren't respected and you won't forgive that.
That gives you your strength.
That gives me mine.
Whoever tries to fuck you over is dead meat.
Do you agree with his analysis?
I have no idea.
He's impressive.
He's mine.
You have to be faster.
You don't like violence. Is your interest purely professional?
From behind. That's it.
Great.
Give me a few minutes.
We had a problem with this girl.
Be careful, Moise.
- You have to check with the doctor. - I'm sorry, sir.
- All because of your stupid face. - Watch your mouth, Moise.
I'm also sorry.
Never mind.
Come closer, Moise.
Come closer. Are you afraid?
Come closer, motherfucker!
- Are you sorry? - I'm sorry, Mr. De Boers.
- We're all sorry, you prick. - It won't happen again.
- I can't hear you! - I swear, sir.
I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again.
Adrian, get rid of this shit.
Keep an eye on your boys, Marcus.
I'll forget about that whore, but I won't be so lenient next time.
Understand?
Take care of that table.
Give them two more bottles.
What happened?
Your friend fucked up and answered for it.
You see that guy?
Looks like a cross between Croat and Serb.
He's French.
He's becoming a star of official fights.
In Holland, Japan, Great Britain.
You have to be ambitious. Are you?
We'll see about that.
We'll see about that...
I have a surplus of ambition.
If I organize a fight between him and you,
that'll be the end of secret fights and all this shit.
Why do you avoid me?
I don't notice you, I don't see you.
Harsh words.
Do I see you now?
- He's your fighter? - Yes.
Angelo.
Who's that girl?
She's writing a newspaper article.
A newspaper article?
So what?
Why do you keep her around?
I don't need the publicity.
The less publicity the better.
She can prove to be useful.
And she can cause us problems.
That's your business, Marcus.
I've had it of this place. Would you take me somewhere for a drink?
If you want to.
Did you move in here?
It's not mine yet.
What exactly is your job title?
I'm a slave.
Are you well paid?
Marcus takes care of you.
Will you tell me how you met him?
I don't like to talk.
Why are you sad?
I'm not sad.
I'm just not here.
Do you want to go to bed with a zombie?
Will you get me a drink?
I'm sorry.
Nice panties.
Indeed.
Barousse? It's Elodie.
Where have you been?
I couldn't call. I had a long night.
You have a weird voice.
De Boers is in Paris. He was at a club last night.
He's vigilant so this might take some time.
You've done a good job.
We have enough evidence to take down Marcus.
I want De Boers behind bars.
Understand?
Yes.
And the boxer?
The boxer...
Marcus is toying with him.
It keeps him busy and he makes mistakes.
It'll take another 2 or 3 weeks.
That's not too long.
Don't worry. I'll manage.
We'll meet on Friday as usual?
Yes.
Until Friday.
Why...
I don't talk on the phone about money. I'll handle it.
The place is packed.
Everyone came.
I want to ask for a favor.
The fight has to last exactly 10 minutes.
What's the deal?
It's the first time we're doing a fight at a rave party.
If everything goes right,
we'll leave with suitcases full of dough.
I won't cheat.
That's not cheating. I really care about this.
Money is my business.
You have hands made of gold.
I just need the fight to last 10 minutes.
Alright?
Look at me when I'm talking to you.
Should I replace you? You want to lose everything?
I don't give a shit. I'm already dead.
My job is to fight for you.
I don't care about your business.
Do you want the damn licence?
They're not waiting for you in Japan.
Even here you're nobody. Who are you?
Who are you without me?
You pay me to fight so I'll fight.
I won't take part in your monkey business.
I'll fight. That's it.
Angelo...
Hit him!
You like it?
Undress.
Keep your dress on.
Sit down.
Turn around.
- Shit... - What are you doing here?
Nothing special.
You're hurting yourself.
You have to stop, Angelo.
You have to stop.
Let me take care of you.
Stop stalking me.
You can't do this, understand?
Now you know what I do.
You want to be a father for my son? What do you want, Angelo?
I saw you fight, Angelo.
You're a dangerous guy.
You're dangerous, Angelo. You're an animal.
What the hell do you want?
Stop it.
Answer, damn it.
Angelo, it's Marcus. I've been leaving messages for 2 hours.
Call me back.
Lea?
It's Marcus.
Shall I tell you about my life?
I can do it now if you want to.
At my club.
In the upstairs apartment.
I'm coming.
Care for a bite?
I made some pasta.
That's all I can make.
Will you hug me?
I'm at the threshold of big business.
After the next fight I'll make him my partner.
Come closer...
...if you want me to tell you more.
I need to trust you.
We're fine like this.
You know almost everything.
Do you really know me?
In-depth?
We'll finish this tomorrow.
I better go.
Wait.
- Don't run away like that. - I better go.
It's about Angelo?
Write an article about him.
I want to write about you.
Did you fuck him?
Did you fuck the primate?
See you tomorrow.
Sure. Beat it.
Are you happy?
You weren't supposed to do that.
Enough fooling around. I'm pulling you out.
I have all I need to take down Marcus.
I can't leave now. We don't have enough to take down De Boers.
They'll both be at the next fight.
I have a feeling something will happen.
I'm not pulling you because you have a feeling.
If Marcus suspects anything he'll get rid of you.
I can't leave.
I haven't risked so much to let De Boers get away.
Elodie, you don't understand.
This is an order.
I refuse to follow it.
What the hell has happened to you?
You know we have to get them both.
We can't miss this opportunity.
Think about your life.
That's what I'm doing.
This is my life.
The world championship quarterfinal is in Japan.
If we succeed there, we'll succeed anywhere.
I'll be rich.
We'll be rich.
Look at him.
Elias was born to fight.
Other people understand that.
In two months he'll fight for the title, so...
So?
So he doesn't need to take part in your fight.
I want to warn you.
Where can we see this?
I warn you - this will depress you.
THE WINNER - ELIAS KAMINSKY
This recording doesn't show everything.
Because in reality his opponents receive a bigger beating.
You've reassured me.
I thought we'd have to call off the fight.
Why has Elias agreed to fight?
Mathias owes me a lot of money, and Elias owes him a lot.
Elias has demolished all of his sparring partners.
He doesn't have a partner for his next fight.
So he welcomes a fight with a boxer who has something to prove.
A live boxing bag.
What can I gain?
A future.
If you ensure a good fight, they'll help us get a licence.
If you win you'll become an outsider who can't be ignored.
If you trust me we can go far. To the edge of the world.
You have a right to it. To everything.
You have the strength.
The will.
That needs to be channeled and that's my job.
I'm here for you. Believe me.
I want you to profit from this.
I'm alone at the top, surrounded by idiots, who have nothing to say.
With you it's different.
My goal is to live the life of a champion.
Our goal is Japan and we have to stay focused.
I kept calling you.
Why didn't you answer?
I was with Virginie.
Did you fuck her?
Don't say that.
I respect her.
What?
I respect her.
She won't be working after hours anymore.
Agreed?
That wasn't planned.
Moise.
Virginie can't ruin everything.
Do you hear me?
Take care of it.
Bring that cunt to me tomorrow at 3 p.m.
She didn't want to come.
She didn't want to see me.
She didn't want to come?
Come on. Let it go.
Did you give her enough money?
I know her well.
When she decides something, she doesn't change her mind.
- She has a son? - Yes.
De Boers won't be happy, if she doesn't come to see him.
Do you know how he behaves, when he's not happy?
Do you?
He wants her, because she doesn't look like a whore.
He likes whores who don't look like whores.
I don't want to oppose him.
She has to go there.
Don't let me down.
Have a nice day.
Good morning.
Hi.
Come in.
Would you like something to drink?
No, I'm fine.
I came to find out how you're doing.
That's nice.
I think I'll be going.
This is hard for my son.
I don't want to tell you about my past and his father.
But I don't want to renounce my life.
I don't want to.
I have to pick him up.
Shall I go with you?
Better not.
Alright.
I feel good when I'm with you.
Get in, we need to talk.
I have to pick up my son from school.
Don't worry, this won't take long.
I heard you're complicating matters with De Boers.
That's inadmissible.
You have to bring this to a close.
Do you know how much you make for a few hours?
Others have to work their asses off for months.
You don't like the word "whore"?
Do you prefer "harlot"?
I'm counting on you tomorrow night.
You don't have a choice. You're obligated.
Do you know what it means to be obligated?
It means I trust you.
Don't abuse my trust.
Do you know that?
But there's something worse.
Something worse is sleeping with my protégé.
You'll take away his will to fight.
I can't allow that.
So forget about Angelo.
Definitively and with no going back.
I hope you understand.
I've been nice, but I can be mean.
Very.
Forget about Angelo. Is that clear?
I won't repeat myself.
How's Milan doing?
He left.
Milan?
Where were you?
Why are you yelling?
Where were you, Milan?
Moise came to get me.
He said you asked him to get me.
I'm sorry.
I was worried.
Do you understand, my angel?
I'm sorry that I got upset.
Hit him, Angelo.
You want to be a balet dancer at the opera?
Elias is 6 feet 5 inches tall
and weighs 285 lbs. Shall I make you a drawing?
He's twice your weight.
Are you done?
What are you doing, Angelo? You won't last 10 seconds.
You were supposed to call me.
I was?
Did you meet someone?
I'm sorry.
Marcus, let me guess.
You're calling off the fight?
- No, I want to reach a deal. - Namely?
If you agree, we'll be even. I'll cancel your debt.
- You'll cancel it? - All of it.
I'm listening.
The fight has to last long enough.
Tell Elias to pretend for 20 minutes that he's fighting.
I'll improve my rooster's ranking.
I doubt he'll agree.
He doesn't want his reputation to suffer.
I want the federation to take interest in Angelo.
Convince Elias you both have something to gain.
I don't know how.
Besides, this fight won't please the federation.
And if Elias pretends to fight it'll all be fucked up.
I don't want him to lose his licence.
Say "yes" and you owe me nothing.
Alright. Deal.
I have some advice for you, Marcus.
Make sure your rooster is well-prepared.
It'll be a slow 20 minutes of suffering.
- What's going on? - I'm going to the airport tomorrow.
Hi kids.
Honey, I'll see you tomorrow.
- I'll see you tomorrow. - And we'll see kangaroos.
Why did you do it, Moise?
Why did you come to get Milan?
It is how it is.
Do what you're supposed to and you'll get paid.
And we'll all be happy.
Between you and me, you're well paid.
I'm sorry, Virginie.
Do you think I had a choice?
Angelo isn't the right guy for you.
It's loaded.
You don't look well.
I don't like it when you snoop.
I can't do anything else.
Wait. I can make pasta.
Tonight I'm going to win a ton of money.
And if you lose?
Anyway, it'll be my last fight.
And then...
...I'll take care of you.
And your son.
Where's Mathias?
Is he in shape?
He's always in shape.
Listen, forget about the deal.
Let them fight freely and may the best man win.
My man will show what he's made of.
Are you sure?
I'm sure. This is a test for me.
I bet everything on your guy.
De Boers? It's Marcus.
Everything's arranged for tonight.
She's yours. Do whatever you want.
I don't want to see her again.
She's nothing but trouble.
Where are we going?
De Boers prefers to meet you at the club.
And later he'll meet Marcus.
That's not what we agreed, Moise.
I won't go there.
You don't have a choice, Virginie.
Come with me.
Don't leave me alone, Moise.
If you won't go, then I won't go.
Your partner isn't here?
He doesn't like it when primates fight.
Will we see him after the fight?
Yes, later.
Good work, Moise.
Give me the handbag.
Get up, Angelo.
Angelo, get up.
Get up.
Hurry up.
- Take care of this. - I'll break his arm.
You fucker, this is not what we agreed.
- What are you talking about? - Shit!
Hurry up.
So?
What do we do?
- Do we stop the fight? - Are you nuts?
No stopping. We'll fight to the end.
The very end.
As you wish.
Are you like De Boers?
Elias will smash him with one hand.
I'm tripling the wager.
Moise?
He'll take his time. He'll torture her.
The jaw.
Get up!
Come on!
Get up! Come on!
Get up!
Angelo!
Virginie is in danger.
Angelo!
Elias, wait.
Elias, let me go.
Let me go.
Angelo, what the fuck is this?
Go.
- What the fuck? - Let go of me.
What the fuck is this?
Get in position.
Angelo!
Police! Don't move!
Drop it!
Drop it, motherfucker.
Don't move.
I got you good.
We have Marcus. Send a team to the club.
I have Marcus. De Boers is at the club.
Shit...
You cunt.
Look at me.
Get up.
Get up, cunt.
You cunt.
Come here.
Don't move.
Go ahead and shoot.
You can't do it. You're just a whore.
Shoot, cunt.
You're a piece of shit.
You're a whore, cunt.
Who's the whore now?
Who's the whore?
Shut up, cunt, and shoot.
Shoot.
You don't have the guts.
Virginie, look at me.
Don't do it.
It's all over. Stop it.
It's all over.
You motherfucker.
Police!
It's all over.
It's alright...
Are you alright?
You did a good job.
We'll take it from here. They'll pay dearly.
I want to ask for a favor.
That depends. I'm listening.
Let those two go. They have nothing to do with it.
It's not that simple.
We'll see.
Anyway, it's all over.
Lea didn't leave them a choice.
She brought things to a close.
She risked herself to save us.
The trial lasted many weeks.
Marcus got 15 years.
De Boers got 13.
The day after the trial, Lea, or Elodie, was shot dead.
They let us go.
Now it's really over.
SECRET FIGHTS AND PROSTITUTION: THE FALL OF 2 MOBSTERS
We're returning from a long trip.
It took us some time, but we made it.
Now we're a real family.
- Let's play boxing. - Boxing?
You're too young for boxing.
You know what we'll do?
We'll do something else.
I'll tell you a story,
then you'll tell me one,
then I will, and then you.
You go first.
Your turn.
This is my chance.
I'm ready.
I don't want to miss it.
I'll fight.
I have the strength.
I want to be happy.