We're in deep shit.
Want us to gobble a cup?
Since the president died, France is in turmoil. You won't help?
I didn't say that.
Without a party, it'll be hard to get 500 signatures.
No one to install our posters
or distribute our pamphlets. No one at our meetings.
Why run, then?
We founded the PDR together, 20 years ago. You resigned.
It's a great chance to get ahead politically. Why refuse?
Till yesterday, I agreed with you but I won't start
supporting a candidate that half the voters call a whore.
You're absolutely right, Mr. Petitjean!
Let's stop losing our time with prudish octogenarians.
Let's keep negotiating with my friends.
My private life's my business.
A presidential candidate doesn't have a private life.
It's hopeless.
Your interviews at 10 instead.
Where's Simon?
I haven't seen him. He doesn't answer his phone.
I'll find him.
MEN IN THE SHADOWS
AIMING FOR THE CENTER
It's in all the papers. Visage will go down fast.
She's drowning.
- Want to know the schedule? - Go ahead.
You can't do all this because of your duties at Matignon.
These are the cities where we must go.
Toulouse: You'll talk about France's industrial fabric.
Nice: Win the seniors over. Brest: Pro-fishing.
- Marseilles would be better. - We'll go too.
Strasbourg: It's about Europe.
- Auvergne: Farming. - Cow dunk... Must we?
- It means a lot to voters. - Then let's fawn on them.
Always talk about safety, our campaign's main subject.
We scoured the net for people's fears:
violence, rape, especially murder threats.
I'll give you the main ones for where you'll be speaking.
- Fine. - Goodbye.
Get tough on majority parties. I'll meet with them next week.
- The PDA's unstable. - Naturally, they're centrists!
Visage fell below the 10-point mark.
She's drowning.
Petitjean will never drown with her.
- I'll only need one car. - I'll take care of it.
It's me.
Our meeting was scheduled at 8 this morning, Simon.
Last night, I decided to replace our meeting
by driving lessons.
I could teach you, if you want.
Pretend that rear-view mirrors are prompters.
Shift slowly into higher gear as if to warm up a meeting room.
- Not bad. - Just "not bad"?
"Shift slowly into higher gear“ says it all.
There's no such thing as a "trapped" middle class
or one that doesn't want much.
But now you have my attention.
Cynical, aggressive,
authoritarian.
All we need now is a pathetic, forsaken lover.
What do you want to know?
If these facts are right? They are.
You're shocked?
Why? Because you slept with Pierre once?
Not just once.
We had a love affair for 3 years and nobody knew.
I'm having a hard time getting over it.
You're interested in that?
I pretend.
I pretend I'm a lonely woman.
But that's far from the truth.
I'm grieving, but I have to keep it to myself.
I understand you're upset that your best friend
didn't tell you everything about his love life.
I'm not upset.
Then you're prudish, as my grandma would say.
I can't stand behind someone who doesn't tell me everything.
- It's complete trust or nothing. - Then leave the team.
Issue a press release and fly to New York.
But first, tell me how come
you chose me, if only to quit over some trivia.
That idea crossed my mind at Pierre's funeral:
You lost your balance and said
you've had this problem since the murder.
I realized you must have been with the president when he died.
You were the person closest to him when it happened.
I thought I could make a triumphant martyr out of you.
That's why I wanted pictures of you at the cemetery.
It's disgusting.
Not really.
Our final goal is...
My friend, this is your battle, and this time,
I'm giving you an extraordinary weapon:
the president's mistress!
Who could be in a better position,
more hurt and more determined to get her revenge than her?
Me. If you won't stay with me, I'll do it alone.
I'd never walk away in the middle of a campaign,
especially not in the present situation.
Are you after me?
Why are you looking for Jamie Watou?
I'm a reporter covering the murder.
You should report that, since the murder,
the police treat us very badly.
If we spend some time here, we'll be carted away.
- Many have gone. - Where?
- The police! Scram! - Jamie's been deported to Mali.
- You don't belong here. - I'm a reporter.
Leave, or things will go wrong.
- I'm just doing my job. - Round them up!
Leave me alone! Stop it! It's disgusting!
They haven't done anything! Leave them alone!
Pierre had told me he was having an affair with Anne.
After 35 years of marriage,
you read your partner's body like you read your own.
When I realized it, I asked him and he confessed.
So...
You never gave him hell or asked him to stop?
You're thinking about yourself...
About Appoline and me?
You two tore each other to pieces.
You were seeing another woman.
You went your separate ways, but remained close.
I wanted to stay by Pierre's side.
Before I met him, I was teaching French.
As a teacher, I learned to analyze situations
from a literary standpoint.
Here!
Thanks.
I know what you came here to ask.
Simon wants us to start without him.
He chose these.
The agency refers to this project as "Heritage."
Very classical.
This is "Revival" and the slogan is:
"France needs revival."
The poster's OK. The slogan's moronic.
- They have other ideas. - We're out of time.
And that one?
The slogan is "Side by side in harmony."
- The second one is out. - And the first?
It's rather classical, but...
I like the strong, motherly face.
I prefer the third one. Remove the words "in harmony."
"Side by side" is simple and powerful.
"Side by side."
Listen!
We'll lose ground in the polls. OK!
That's what analysis results indicate.
It'll be hard to gain ground again. Fine!
The enemy will strike low. Fine!
But I'm here!
Spruce up the message.
Why were Anne and the president hiding?
Because they were in love. Anne's a true lover.
This wasn't just about sex.
It was genuine passion:
a long-term love story.
- Is that true? - Who cares?
Is it enough for us to gain ground?
You must convey the message I just gave you.
We'll tell everyone the same story: a love story.
I'll do the rest.
What rest?
You'll see. OK, thanks!
Let's get to work!
Could you check the speech for Perpignan?
Delete the safety stuff. Leave that to Deleuvre.
People are interested in social issues.
- Not enough! - Why?
Our country was devastated by the president's death.
Say at least a few words about stress,
the ambiance, the investigation.
- Go ahead! - Give me 5 minutes?
Hello!
- Hello! - Hello!
- Take this seat. - Thank you.
One of our friends lives in the same village in Mali.
I have uncles in Bamako.
- If you wish, I'll ask them. - Is Jamie there?
Our brothers who come from France, we respect them.
They sent money to their families.
It's better not to tell him anything, for now.
Just find out where he is.
He was expelled from France. He'll be scared.
- Go ahead and show her. - Give it to her.
Thank you.
Simon!
Show me.
No, I'll read it to you.
Here!
I'll just read what I've added. Ready?
Like you, I was hurt in that attack.
I'm suffering like you're all suffering.
Like you, I stand tall and hold out my hand to you.
And I'm telling you, my dear friends...
I'm telling you to come.
We'll get through this together.
We'll fight without leaving anyone out,
side by side, and we'll come out on top.
If you don't get a standing 0, I'll resign.
Oh, it's very good. Very, very good.
You take antidepressants?
Yes, sometimes...
Why? What's wrong?
- You're not happy on our team? - On the contrary.
You have no idea how happy I am.
That's all I could find
to gain ground and get the centrists to come back.
If you don't like it, we're done!
Do we really need all this? The cars, the bodyguards...
Of course! A presidential candidate
attracts all kinds of lunatics.
You'll be all right.
I'm sorry to resort to this.
It's hard for me too.
Touch my hand so we look like we've really reconciled.
Don't hold it against me. I didn't mean to harm you.
I'd like to ask you something.
What you said in St. Etienne, is it true?
That you hadn't made the trip together
and that you had joined him at City Hall?
Yes. We didn't see each other very often.
It's important for me to know that the last person
with whom he talked about life and love was me.
It was you.
Kapita wins a point.
Deleuvre should show his private life more.
He won't.
- I've tried, but I get nowhere. - Why?
I have no idea.
All we can do is capitalize on that.
Unlike Visage, he doesn't seek the limelight.
France means everything to him. What do you think?
Got the poll results?
- What is it, Valentine? - I have to get my things.
- I don't have them. - There are things I can't find.
I'll check.
- I miss you. - It's a bad time.
- Why? You're with someone? - Yes.
- How is she? - Never mind!
50% haven't changed their mind, 25% have a bad opinion of her
and 30% sympathize.
26% put you in first position, but Visage is back at 13.
- The Democrats'll make trouble. - Depends on what we offer them.
Just enough so they won't look elsewhere.
Let everyone know: No one stands on Anne Visage's side.
Traitors will be subject to reprisals:
no endorsements or grants for 5 years.
Visage and Petitjean together will get 500 signatures.
When the country's threatened, voters are afraid of change.
We must play the insecurity card well.
We didn't wait for you to tell us that.
Do it, then.
I say we keep increasing the stress the country's under.
The president was murdered. Let's use that.
The terrorist threat has peaked. The world's watching.
True.
We highlight a sermon in a mosque,
a facial recognition check gone wrong...
Then we'll gain some ground.
The Vigipirate Plan's on red alert.
Is red Vigipirate recognizable by the public?
They screen visitors at public buildings,
search bags at store entrances. Warnings blare in all stations.
We need more.
What's Vigipirate's highest degree?
Scarlet.
More checks, increased traffic restrictions, mainly in tunnels,
interruption of civil aviation traffic,
setting up a water distribution network.
That's too much for now. I won't go there.
I'm a prime minister, not a bomb expert.
I'll be going.
He's just a minor figure. He's not Kapita.
He was trained by Kapita and is 15 years younger.
Students always surpass their masters.
We can't lose Petitjean. Who handles him for Visage?
- Palissy. - We got a weapon?
A Scud missile: enough to get the centrists back on our side.
Use it.
- Everybody's looking for you. - Been hearing that for 50 years.
Your phone lines are safe. No wiretaps, no eavesdropping.
No mikes inside the walls, according to our first check.
Secondly:
For secret conversations,
open the window so the sound of traffic covers your voice.
And give me your cell.
Thanks.
Now we're sure no one can hear us.
I have something for you. Open it and look.
A weapon we can use against Deleuvre.
- Deleuvre has a lover. - What?
He's homosexual.
But he rose against adoption by gay couples!
His lover has a small apartment in the 16th borough,
on the Matignon estate. It's paid by the voters.
He's there 2 or 3 times a week.
How did you get these pictures?
I'm still in touch with some of the officers.
Are you sure about this?
About my source, yes, therefore about the facts.
That's incredible!
Deleuvre is gay?
Let's keep it a secret. Give those pictures back.
- It's a bombshell! - I don't care.
I never use such methods.
He has the right to be gay. Let's concentrate on politics
and the lie about the president's murder.
Simon, we can't prove anything.
DEMOCRATIC HQ
I'm a minority figure in my own party.
The insiders decided to support Anne Visage,
so we'll support her.
But thank Kapita.
Meeting the president's wife made a big difference.
Plus the offers you received from the other side, I suppose.
Marjorie isn't seen as a steady grounding tool
by the electorate.
And Deleuvre only offered us minor roles.
It's 4 more points.
It'll improve your present situation.
- We're improving. - Not enough.
You'll get up to 19. Deleuvre's at 24.
Deleuvre has to go down 3 more points.
You need 3 more points to play in the major league.
You're not there yet.
You got the apartment for that questor's job in Luxembourg
and External Affairs missions that I gave you in the Senate.
What advantages will you get if you're appointed minister?
It doesn't matter. We're in politics now.
What ministries do you want?
Don't ask for Matignon: It's out of the question.
Then at least 3 national ministries.
Internal or External Affairs, Bercy...
And 2 others we'll both agree on.
We can give you 5 ministries, 2 of them national.
Then give me 6 and keep External Affairs for rne.
- What else? - We'll see. The list can change.
- When do you need an answer? - Thursday night.
I'll announce it at party HQ
and name the candidate we'll be supporting.
I'll need your answer before that.
I wish to thank you for your kind wishes
of success for the new era
that has just begun in France's history.
Hand on the table!
It's true I came forward to follow a tradition,
but there's more than tradition:
History makes it my duty.
Wait!
Move your shoulders like this.
Forget about pronunciation, for now.
In Paris, in the summer of 1792,
the First Republic of France was born.
- Why do I need to exercise? - To train your body.
Your first big meeting tomorrow has to be a success.
Start over!
It offered us, well ahead of its time,
universal suffrage and, therefore, new concepts
that became known all over the world:
human rights and civil rights.
- So? - They'll join us!
They want 5 ministries.
- It's a lot. - Four points.
- Did they say which? - I'll see Petitjean tonight.
- We'll be in Perpignan. - I'll stay there.
- You can't offer Matignon. - I made it clear.
"It's true I came forward to follow a tradition,
"but there's more than tradition:
"History makes it my duty.
"In Paris, in the summer of 1792,
"the First Republic of France was born."
What's this all about? I'm not going back to '92!
It's a speech Mitterrand gave in May '81 at City Hall.
Find something else.
They're the best speeches for practicing.
I feel like I'm taking my first steps into politics.
- Do I really need this? - Yes.
Try and look more relaxed. You're... too stiff.
You keep telling me to be more aggressive on safety issues,
all the while accusing me of being too harsh.
You have to improve your image. May I be frank?
Go ahead.
A PM gets things done.
In order to understand, a president must listen.
- Am I not listening? - No. Here's proof.
You keep your distances.
You must develop a bond with the voters.
I can kiss women, children and seniors after meetings...
It's not enough. You must do like Kapita:
Let your private life show.
Getting the president's wife involved gave him 5 points.
I know you're a very private person...
We won't talk about my family!
Just one picture. One with your family.
No! I'll never do that.
- I'd like you to meet my father. - Hello!
This is Marc Kajanef. You've met before.
- The guy I found in my bed... - That's right.
Is it your first electoral campaign?
But we've already started, Dad.
Marc made mock-ups of sites.
- We have blogs online. - Keep me posted.
It looks good.
What else do you need to continue?
To swamp Facebook and YouTube: slogans, photos, programs...
- In 24 hours. - I know what things.
Maybe we'll reach 10 m bloggers in a week.
- We need guys on contract. - Ask the accountant.
I have a question.
- The end justifies the means? - He won't answer.
We can post kill videos if no one knows who did it.
Really? When I graduated,
I was against shitty writings already and stuff like that.
Poli-sci graduates always say that.
Excuse me. It's your mom.
Yes?
They were trying to find something.
Since I started investigating, I feel I'm being watched.
- I'm not free to do things. - Even there?
Yes, but I'm on to something.
The witness to Pierre's murder, Jamie Watou, has disappeared.
- We know. - I found him.
He was expelled to Mali the day after the attack.
I found out frgm his friends in St. Etienne
and guys at the holding center.
He sent them this. Check the postmark.
It's from Bamako. I can find him.
- How will you use this? - I'll go to Mali.
- Can it wait a while? - Why?
I'm going to Perpignan tonight.
Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to Gendre, Pierre's bodyguard.
- I don't need him. - He can help you in Mali.
He knows Jamie.
You're just afraid for your campaign.
I'm not doing these things for your candidate, Simon.
This whole thing's disgusting. I'll get it out in the open!
This is huge: a state falsehood!
That's right!
Your first big campaign meeting! There are a few rules.
I'm waiting for my speech. I know how to use prompters.
Let's talk about walkabouts.
Go out and mix with people.
I kiss children, say hello...
Kneel down and kiss them like a mother would.
For walkabouts and in markets,
make sure your skirt won't float up.
- I'll wear pants. - I told you, "No pants."
Hug seniors too: men, women... Anyone at all.
- I'll try not to muck up! - You won't!
With me, you never know.
- I think I got it right. - Thanks.
Simon Kapita here. Leave a message. Thanks.
Simon, it's a done deal. I saw Petitjean.
The Democrats will join us. They want those ministries.
Petitjean'll announce it within 48 hours.
Have a good meeting in Perpignan!
What's going on?
- Go! Go! - What's the matter?
Who are they? You OK?
Are you OK?
- You know them? - No.
- They grabbed me! - It's OK.
A damn taxi!
You saved my life. Thank you.
Shit! Shit!
Damn fool!
You got me!
If I see you again, I'll beat you up!
Get going! Go' y°u phmgfapher!
- OK! The police... - Papers!
In the past few weeks,
we've gone through painful times
and we question everything.
You,
me,
for I was hurt in that attack myself.
I suffer too, along with my country.
Like you, I stand tall
and hold out my hand to you.
Let us overcome the tragic events
-that plunged us into grief. - Take a shot of the crowd.
Let's get back on our feet!
We can do it! I can do it! I'm asking you...
My dear friends, I'm telling you to come.
We'll get through this together.
We'll fight without leaving anyone out, side by side!
I'm sure there's someone else.
I'm trying.
I'm trying, but I can't do it!
Equality we'll build together!
Freedom we'll all fight for!
We must remain united!
United among ourselves!
United with all of France!
You OK, Val?
No one's called me "Val" in a year.
You did well! Congrats! Go back there!
- We shouldn't have done this. - What made us do it was...
The meeting, the heat,
the emotion.
You said that the first time, during Pierre's campaign.
Remember what happened after'?
I got caught up in the campaign's activities:
plane trips, meetings,
evening get-togethers.
And we won.
The merry-go-round came to a stop.
I got off. You stayed on.
I was mad at myself for not leaving sooner.
And I'm mad at myself for having done it again.
Is there a man in your life?
A toxic substance.
I told you not to go to Mali by yourself.
Yes, he's the only one who knows the witness.
He'll protect you. Please let me arrange everything.
It was Appoline.
Are you two back together?
Wednesday nights and every other weekend.
Maybe I shouldn't stay on the team.
Stay. I can cope with it.
Or cope without.
Goodbye.
Senator!
Get in.
Hello, Senator.
What's the deal?
Bring Petitjean back on our side.
Or else?
Everyone will know you like whores who are minors.
Whores, maybe, but not minors.
That girl wasn't even 17.
As a bastard, you get top prize.
That's your opinion.
Just to win stupid centrists over!
I wouldn't put it that way, but the comparison stands.
Moderate voters don't like people who abuse minors.
I've met a lot of assholes like you,
but the day I catch you, you'll get what you deserve!
Petitjean will address the media tomorrow at 8 PM.
If I don't hear from him or you by 7 PM,
everyone will know.
Damn bastard!
A setup. That girl was an informer or a dealer.
We don't have any weapon against Guénélon,
no way of putting pressure on him.
I don't have access to police files.
I don't know what crap he's involved in.
But I won't give them the Democrats as a gift.
I got you into politics.
You've come of age and I'll stand by you.
How much time do we have?
Petitjean will speak tomorrow at 8 PM
after Guénélon's told him and the media.
What's going on?
Without Petitjean, we can't win.
Does Palissy know about Deleuvre's lie?
No. I don't want him to know.
He'd go wild. Palissy's impulsive, irritable.
But still...
We can't use the state falsehood?
We're trapped!
We'll do it when we have documents, evidence...
Or it'll do us more harm.
That lie's my reason for running and I can't talk about it.
I'm on to something, but we must wait.
For what?
The witness.
Tell me more.
A black guy who left the country. We're after him.
-"We"? - Gendre.
- I've something else lined up. - What?
Sordid stuff. Don't ask.
- Yes? - Kapita.
I have to see you, Counselor.
Why?
It's hard to explain on the phone. Can we meet?
- In Matignon tomorrow. - We can't be seen together.
- I've nothing to hide. - So far...
I'll be on the comer of Fremiet and Charles Dickens, No. 4.
You know the building. At midnight.
We'll sit in the car. Get the driver out.
Why did you want me to come here?
I suppose you know where we are.
At 4 Charles Dickens St.
It's late, let's make this quick.
You're the one who framed Senator Palissy.
- I just know his name. - And his reputation.
Which to plan to expose.
I don't know what you're talking about.
If the media print such crap about the senator,
the next day, we'll have some pictures for them.
You gave Senator Palissy 2 days. I give you till tomorrow, 6 PM.
Two hours before Petitjean speaks.
It's blackmail!
"Adapt your weapons and your methods." Read Clausewitz.
This tea's disgusting.
Let's calm down, Simon.
Palissy hasn't heard from Petitjean.
We'll see. There's nothing more we can do.
In any case, with or without Petitjean,
rll keep going!
- Yes? - Simon, I have to see you.
Fine. Where?
How about 2 PM, the Debilly footbridge?
I'll be there.
- What's going on? - I have to talk to you.
Why here?
I have a meeting next door, at "France d'aujourd'hui."
I know you increased your staff.
Apart from Raskovlov and the media, what's new?
All kinds of lobbying: politics, telecommunications, energy...
Increasing activities in the fighting world.
We increased the area.
You don't know the difference between area and depth.
- That's not why we're here. - Right! Let's stay on track.
Yes.
Deleuvre's lover boy in exchange for your senator's mischief.
I don't know how you deal with it, but you win.
We gained 3 points. You lost 2.
Weren't you against this way of doing things?
It started with a minor whore in Palissy's company.
Palissy'd never get away with it. Deleuvre would.
I'd have used his homosexuality to fend off his critics.
- Then why are you here? - He sent me.
His decision, not mine.
He risks losing the elections,
but he won't lose his lover. He really loves him.
They've been lovers for 7 years.
Not like fucking a whore in the park!
He protects that guy.
That's why he doesn't talk about his private life and never will.
Ludo!
We're throwing dirt around.
Even the ones we work with, even politics.
That's what we're paid for.
Except we're not the ones who foot the bill.
We're waiting for Mr. Petitjean to make a declaration.
- Want this call? - Is it Simon?
Yes, in Roissy. We'll talk again later.
- She'll call you later. - Why is he in Roissy?
...will affect election results, at least for the majority party.
Will it be Deleuvre or Visage?
- Do we bring him back? - I'll let you know.
We must act secretly. If we're found out, we're done.
Does Anne Visage know about this?
No one knows.
We can't tell her. It would destabilize her campaign.
I won't tell my paper yet, but I want to make one thing clear:
I'll do the work. You'll just help.
I'm not doing this for the elections.
Ifl had to choose, I'd choose Marjorie over Anne Visage.
Well...
Take care of yourself.
Thanks.
Mr. Petitjean, which candidate should we elect?
Could you please let me speak.
Thank you.
First, I'd like to pay homage
to our president who died tragically.
I feel that everyone here tonight
is thinking about him.
Also, after discussing with the 2 candidates
running for the former president's party,
and carefully studying each one's program,
we've decided to support the candidacy of Anne Visage!
Let me speak to Guénélon. It's urgent.
What's the matter?
Kapita sent a team over to Mali.
Why Mali?
- I don't know. Find out. - Sure about your source?
I'm 100% sure.
I'm on it!
Who were you talking to?
Somebody. You don't know him.
Translatior]: M. Saint-Amaud Epilogue