Friday
Gabrielle,
they're all here.
Officially, the president is tired.
He's doing less to prepare for the G8.
We stick with that.
Nothing else comes out.
No reason to alarm people over an illness.
- And his schedule? - There are no problems.
There are no official visits.
Postpone the Economic and Social Council,
make an excuse.
There's the Qatar emir's brother at 3.
He's a good friend
of the minister of foreign affairs. They can have tea
and lie to each other with delight as usual.
I'll do the lunch with the prime minister.
He should be told. He's the head of government.
I won't go into detail for now.
Catherine, stop sniveling.
- It's fine. - I'm sorry.
Can I talk to you?
Yes.
How long will it be secret?
I don't have the medical info for a statement.
Once I know, I can alert the media?
Naturally.
Listen, Gabrielle,
the president's in a coma with a possible stroke.
You say he's tired. That's a lie.
I need time.
If the president can't govern...
If he can't, I won't hide it.
For now, these are all ifs.
You don't know, so you keep quiet.
Simon Kapita. I'm expected.
Do you have ID?
- Go on. - Thanks.
He's still in a coma.
The Men in the Shadows
It's hard to establish an exact prognostic.
It's a slightly atypical case.
You don't know!
It's inflammation of the meninges
expressed as hyper-secretion of cephalorachidian liquid
increasing pressure in the meninges area.
There's no purulent infection.
Which means...?
He's in a coma.
- Can we inform the public? - Oh, no.
No media at the hospital.
I'm all alone.
Can you believe it? I'm all alone.
No one cares about Alain Marjorie.
They only care about the government and the Republic.
If it's secret, you'll have no one.
I want him to wake up
before the media show up.
Can you handle the shock?
Daily life defeats me. Not despair.
Don't worry.
Thanks for coming.
I told the prime minister.
- You told him? - Yes.
I want the Constitution to be respected.
I don't think that's true of his chief of staff.
She must've missed the class on constitutional law.
Hang in there.
The first lady had to tell me he's in a coma.
What the hell, Gabrielle! I lead the government.
He's been in the hospital 3 hours, not 3 days.
I didn't know anything yet.
You had a lunch with him? Let's eat.
- Don't try to buy time. - Don't be paranoid.
I'm paranoid?
Sit down, please.
Will he come out of it?
I've talked to all the doctors.
- Yes. - Is this coma normal?
Yes.
No.
Well, it's rare.
Shit!
If this gets out, we're fucked.
The market will plunge, The index will drop 1%...
- 3%! - Don't be alarmist.
- No one will believe it's benign. - It's viral meningitis.
And a coma.
- Maybe you'll announce his death? - Stop.
I'm sorry.
I warn you:
I'm telling foreign affairs. It'll go through my office.
Foreign affairs belongs to the presidency.
No, to the president. And for now, he's in a coma.
Actually, I'm not hungry.
Too bad. It's very good.
May I?
Come in.
You picked up New York ways.
I wanted to eat something I hate.
- Does that ever happen to you? - No.
To punish your hunger?
Good question. Have you been in analysis?
Not yet.
A good answer.
Lunch with the prime minister?
Yes.
We campaigned together. I've known him for 10 years.
He's loyal to Marjorie and...
And?
He's marking his territory. Like the president were dead.
You're marking yours, too.
No. I'm defending the president's territory.
The prime minister governs, not you.
Did you tell Elisabeth to tell him?
No.
Gabrielle,
you can't run the country all alone.
Will he come out of it?
Yes.
Is it normal that he won't stop moving?
Yes, Madame. The doctor told you.
Can you leave us? I want to talk to him.
Thanks.
Alain...
Listen to me.
Please listen to me.
Wake up.
You can't leave me all alone.
I can't stay all alone. I need you.
Everyone needs you.
If you wake up, I'll be a wonderful first lady
you'll be proud of every day.
I promise.
Do you remember? I was good in the campaign.
It's the presidency that brings me down.
All those first ladies to greet, I hate that.
Why can't presidents all be widowers or single
instead of bringing along these china dolls?
I want to laugh with you.
We don't laugh anymore.
We don't talk anymore.
Alain...
Alain!
Why isn't he moving?
He's fine, Madame. Don't worry.
I feel like time has stopped.
There's no life anywhere else.
Listen, Mr. Dostovski, I understand
you want to make yourself known,
but Hermés isn't for sale.
Nor is PSG.
Wait for an opportunity.
Mr. Dostovski isn't patient.
I can organize an event, a very elegant party...
I want to invest, not look like a Russian upstart
wasting his money.
I like France, I speak French, I want to live here, too.
- I understand... - Dourange. The steel industry.
That's a good idea.
It's a jewel of French industry.
Would there be government aid?
I can connect you with former prime minister Deleuvre.
No. I want French chic.
A hotel, a fashion house... Something chic.
The steel industry...
Fine. Send him in.
I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Bakian.
I'm nothing, Prime Minister.
Forget that title. I don't have the job.
I thought in France, you use the highest title.
That's in the past. You were saying?
That I'm just a simple intermediary.
Mr. Bakian, is your investor serious?
He wants to spend money in France.
Nothing's more serious than money.
And this money...?
It was earned honestly, Mr. Deleuvre.
The Russian way.
Russian oligarchs must diversify their activities,
not put all their eggs in one basket.
It's so easy to fall into disgrace in that country.
What can we do to prove this?
Convince me.
Doesn't the president handle the Dourange situation?
Yes. Well, partly, yes.
I've never been to the palace.
Oh, really?
We could set something up.
With the president?
That would be hard.
Then with... how to do you say in French...
"Secrétaire général."
In this case, it's a female chief of staff.
- Today? - Short notice, Mr. Bakian.
I'll do it as soon as possible.
Excuse rne. I have to make a phone call.
Go right ahead.
Who is this weirdo?
An intermediary.
Yes, I got that. Shady?
Nationality?
Hungarian father, British mother.
Speaks fluent Arabic and Russian.
I know the type.
When did he come onto the scene?
With the left. Connections to the Interior ministry.
- Under Hussan? - Yes.
That's not the best recommendation right now.
He wants to see the president.
Hussan must've had reasons not to introduce him to Marjorie.
Dostovski, his boss, is serious.
Yes. Like a Russian!
If Dourange moves its factory,
half of my department's out of work.
Counting the services and businesses that depend on it.
I'm ready
to make a deal with the devil if he brings me someone serious.
Get him, I'll handle the president's office.
It's yes for the first 2 appointments.
I didn't put it down.
But Deleuvre wants you to meet a buyer for Dourange
ASAP.
Another one? I'm not sure. Who is it?
I don't know.
Tomorrow, there's room, since it's Saturday.
Yes, Catherine.
Thanks.
What happened?
The president just woke up.
Sonia, let me hug you.
Squeeze Deleuvre in sometime tomorrow.
Call the doctor to see how exactly he's doing.
Aspirin?
That's all I can take?
Aspirin...
Their only treatment.
Take me back... to the office.
You'll have a spinal tap once a day
for 5 or 6 days.
I won't stay here...
a week.
We'll see on Monday. Wait 'till after the week-end.
I've got an incredible headache.
We'll make you go to sleep.
You have no choice, Alain.
Madame, you should go home.
He won't wake up all night and will never be alone.
There's nothing to fear, I assure you.
Thank you.
There's still the president of Lithuania's visit.
We'll see tomorrow.
We must tell the public.
The president can't exert his functions for 1 week.
We can't keep the secret.
- After the weekend. - You're incredible!
You'll say on Monday he's been sick since Friday?
Why not?
I agree. We can hold out over the weekend.
So, show yourself on Monday.
An inauguration, a visit... I'll find something.
Why?
- To reassure people. - I'm not reassuring.
You will be.
Why not have her do the news, man?
- She's in no shape. - You're buddies, now?
- Should we go? - A coma brings people together.
Have someone take care of this.
But Challange didn't call back.
- Where's Kapita? - He just left.
I'll show myself! I won't sleep.
I'm too wired. I want to go out.
- I'm kidnapping you. - Where?
Have a drink, go out.
I need to get out. I spent all day in a hospital.
Alain came out of the coma. Let's celebrate!
- Sorry, my son... - Does he have a nanny?
Nannies are great.
Mothers are poisonous. Mine especially.
She made me an intellectual.
And definitely neurotic.
The less your son sees you, the better off he'll be.
Let's go.
Who made you
what you are?
A brilliant professional woman...
Your mother?
My father.
He was Auditor General.
Your family's gone to the best schools for generations.
France has reinvented privilege.
Your parents were lawyers.
Yes, indeed.
A socialist government should abolish legacies,
elite schools, all that...
You're more radical than the president.
Less pragmatic.
I did my part. I defended the widow and the orphan.
Did you ever wonder what you'd be if you'd been born
into a background...
that was underprivileged?
I always had great grades.
That's what makes you so sure of yourself,
so forceful.
You lack imagination, my dear Gabrielle.
Good grades aren't enough.
You mighfve been a bartender.
Well, I would've been worse.
Hello. Excuse me.
- Aren't you...? - No.
But you're charming.
Can I buy you a drink?
Yes.
Somewhere else.
Where's the valet? I want to drive.
You're coming with us, Madame.
Please.
Some other time.
May I see you out?
No, thanks.
Maybe some other time.
Saturday
Yes, I got it. I'm coming.
Thanks.
- What happened? - We have no details.
This is the president's diplomatic advisor.
- Arthur Frot. Nice to meet you. - Simon Kapita.
- Hello, gentlemen. Hello, Sonia. - Hello, Gabrielle.
Have a seat, please.
- We must wake up the president. - Hello, Admiral.
It's not urgent to wake up a man with meningitis.
Head of the joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Gaillaud.
Simon, please.
Can someone tell us the situation exactly?
- The president... - Should sleep a full night.
Thanks, Admiral.
And the minister of foreign affairs?
He sends his regrets.
He'd be here if the president called.
OK. Who can give us a run-down?
I spoke to my Algerian counterpart 2 minutes ago.
- Go on. - At 4:30 this morning,
a group of 20 terrorists, in military dress,
attacked the complex of the gas site
in Sidi Menssas, managed by the French company Gazex.
They took about 30 people, including families,
and they managed to stay at the site,
where they're hiding with the hostages.
They let a few Algerian guards go.
Demands?
They want French troops out of Mali.
- We must send experts. - Algeria doesn't want that.
It's their right.
Who handles communications? The foreign minister?
The families mustn't find out from CNN.
Or Algerian national television.
The president must show himself
to show someone's handling the crisis.
First time I agree with a p.r. guy.
They'll see he's sick.
If we'd announced it, it'd be easier.
What would that change?
Knowing that he can't govern
wouldn't exactly reassure people.
He can lighten his schedule. Thanks, terrorists.
- Arthur, that's awful. - We need him back in the office.
- The conference call is ready. - OK.
Simon, see about the president, and liaise with foreign affairs.
If you need anything, ask Sonia. Let's go.
The gas site.
It employs 700 people, most of them Algerian.
About 15 were there during the attack.
They haven't been released.
As for expats, Gazex says there are about 29
including spouses.
There are exactly 17 French employees at Gazex,
but we think the terrorists
are holding 29 French citizens and 15 Algerians.
If none are dead.
Gazex is sending us info on them.
I think so.
The Algerian interior minister. Are you ready?
We're ready. Go ahead.
Hello, Mr. Minister. You know everyone here.
Yes. Hello. Lady, gentlemen...
Hello. First, can you tell us if there are any victims?
The terrorists went at it full force.
But we have no specifics.
We must be ready for anything from these shameful individuals.
Do you know any more about this Islamist group?
Al-Muthalimin...
No one's heard of them.
It must have been specially created.
Are you in contact with them?
We don't speak to terrorists.
- Can we send you... - Excuse me, Madame.
We'll handle the problem ourselves.
- Will you intervene? - Yes.
When?
As soon as possible.
As soon as we have equipment and men.
Our president will contact yours. No conference call.
He's not n Paris.
We'll expect his call. Goodbye, Madame, Messieurs...
"Not in Paris"! Another little lie.
This is bad.
If they intervene, there'll be a massacre.
They're not trained for this kind of operation.
No hostages will come out alive.
We must prevent it.
It won't be easy.
Not with the president so out of it.
Calm down.
Close the curtains. I can't stand the light.
Simon, please. Thanks.
OK...
Mr. President...
Gabrielle...
I need... I need to call
the Algerian president? Right?
The Algerian... presi...
Go, now. He can't do anything at all.
Thanks.
I can't handle this.
Of course you can. I thought you were tougher.
I can't convince the Algerian president.
The Algerians won't intervene in 15 minutes.
You have some time.
- Will it be OK? - Yes.
I'll quiet the mob.
The journalists.
- Hello, everyone. - Kapita!
Hi, Simon.
You don't take weekends off?
Any news?
Foreign affairs is full of doublespeak.
Thanks, I wrote the press release.
It says nothing.
We've got nothing new.
Will the Algerians intervene?
It's not on the agenda.
Interior, Foreign Affairs,
Army and their Algerian counterparts are speaking.
And the president?
The president also.
There are troop movements but they won't intervene?
- They're in position, it's normal. - If you say so.
Will the president make a statement?
When we know more
on the terrorists, the hostages...
The president of Gazex says some are dead.
- He said that? - And CNN picked it up.
How do they know more than the president's office?
We're only giving info that's confirmed and true.
We're thinking of the hostages' families, French and Algerian.
The press department will keep you updated.
Appoline, can I see you?
You're accredited? Thought you weren't interested.
At Mediamag, we all cover everything.
I have the accreditation, but I hardly ever come.
Except now.
I'll find info elsewhere since you won't say.
No, I promise.
I'll call Gazex again.
And Juliette?
- We spoke on the phone. - Where is she?
I don't know, I swear.
It bugs me.
Call me when you talk to her, please.
Not believable. You have his latest statement?
It's here.
I want to talk to the Gazex CEO.
He's at Foreign Affairs.
Can he shut up?
He's leaking info to the press.
No one can talk to the media. I manage the show.
You're right. Don't get mad.
I'll handle it. I know him.
This kind of thing makes me crazy.
What's the situation?
Foreign Affairs is talking to Niger and nearby countries.
We'd rather talk to the terrorists' friends,
but Bin Laden isn't available anymore.
Frot...
You need a link to the terrorists?
Diplomacy has its secrets.
Officially, we don't talk to them.
We have images from Algerian TV.
Keep on g0ifl9-
Terrible images were just sent to us
by a contact of Al-Muttlalimin terrorists who attacked...
5 dead... 5!
They put these images on Algerian TV.
We don't know their names.
We don't recognize them.
Imagine their families.
I need the Algerian Interior minister.
We need to talk to the terrorists.
They should at least give us their identities.
I want to talk to the hostages.
Gabrielle...
Simon!
I wanted to see you.
I'm available to speak to the hostages' families.
Thanks.
The president is better. Actually, no.
He's awake for 5 minutes, then asleep again.
The doctor says he'll be better soon.
I'll let you know. I hate doctors.
You can't handle everything.
For the families, I'm available.
Was it a dream
or did a lady pass by?
She's going to crack.
Not necessarily. She's over-excited, but...
Give her her meds in her whiskey.
Mr. Deleuvre is waiting.
"Deleuvre"?
- What's he doing here? - He has an appointment.
Dourange.
He has a buyer.
Arthur, set up a meeting later today, and this time,
I want the Foreign Affairs minister.
Thanks.
I'll start drinking whiskey too.
Maybe I'll give up tea.
I'll leave you lovebirds.
What did he say?
Didn't hear anything.
OK. I'm going.
- Mr. Prime Minister. - Madame...
Mr. Bakian.
You haven't changed.
You know each other?
We ran into each other
in Hungary, when Miss Tackichieff was with the embassy.
That's right: "ran into." Come.
- I'd like to speak to you alone. - What's this about?
- Memories to share. - We have no memories to share.
I have information on the hostage-takers.
Go on.
Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.
Please follow me.
I'm listening.
I have to go to Libya.
I don't know anything, but I know who does.
Come back when you have that information.
I want a mandate to negotiate.
Is that all!
You have no intermediary.
You have no one.
You're treading water. My informers all say so.
Why bother? We won't withdraw military aid to Mali.
For money, as usual.
France doesn't pay ransoms.
25 million for the Iraq hostages,
8 for Florence Aubenas,
15 for Chesnot and Malbrunot.
- Germany... - Rumors.
Persistent ones.
You'll take a commission, of course.
I'm just an intermediary.
Are you serious, Mr. Bakian?
You know I'm a serious man, Gabrielle.
- I have to talk to the president. - Fast.
For now, we'll talk about Dourange.
Of course.
Mr. Deleuvre.
You can drop me off here, on the bridge.
Whatever your relationships, your friends, your networks are,
if you screw me over, I won't forgive you.
I'd understand perfectly, Mr. Prime Minister.
Who's this fucking asshole you loaded off on me?
Put the screws to Hussan
so he'll spit out what he knows about Bakian.
I can't find him.
I'm paying you enough to.
It's an issue of the hostages' life.
I can't let this idiot Marjorie and his bitch
get fucked by a bastard who came from nowhere.
What are you waiting for? Want me to fire you?
Move your cute little ass!
National Assembly
Wait for me here, please.
Mr. Hussan, thanks for coming.
It's nice to get out. The hostages freed me.
The media is all over the families to get tears,
a cry of grief...
Great times we live in, right?
- I try not to think about it. - Good idea.
OK!
Bakian.
How long have you known him?
You don't know guys like Bakian.
Do I want to help you?
It's not about me.
We worked hard to keep him away from power,
and you take him right there?
- And Gabrielle knows him. - Really?
Yes!
When you use a shady guy, you make a barrier.
Your boss shouldn't know some things.
You don't tell Deleuvre the dirty shit you do.
A president should be protected.
- What did Bakian do for you? - I won't tell.
- Why'd you come? - To send a message.
Don't mess with Bakian.
Or he'll explode in your face.
Go tell your boss.
Why don't you French kiss him!
Stop. I didn't do anything.
- I'm just polite. - Yeah, right.
- I didn't sleep with him. - That's worse.
OK. I'm sorry. Didn't you ever do anything stupid?
They have a huge crisis to handle, and I'm here in a park.
Alain won't take my calls.
I'm better than Palissy, but I can't do anything.
You've never been unemployed.
No.
Well, it's the same thing. You're unemployed.
I know what it means to be useless.
You're essential to me.
Doesn't seem that way.
I'm sorry.
It's the 1st time Alain has a crisis without me.
We're not together. I don't know how he's managing.
And the fact that Bakian is mixed up in all this...
worries me greatly.
You tell me that this individual is a bad character.
But you recommend him.
What are the other options?
Oh, yes. OK. I see.
I'm exhausted after 5 minutes
and even losing my words...
and after 10 hours, you only have Bakian!
What's the risk?
Nothing, for now. We'll see how it goes.
If we send Bakian, we can't send a negotiator later.
The Libyan option will be closed.
There are no other options. Time's running out.
OK.
Off...
Offic...
Officially, this Bakian has nothing to do with us.
No government aircraft. Nothing.
Before we give him the green light,
he should prove he's really the man for the situation.
I want guarantees.
Guarantees.
Yes, Mr. President.
Mr. President.
- Well? - Defense secrets, Mr. P.R.
I'm sorry, Simon.
You didn't miss anything. This shit had to fall to me!
You wanted to see me?
Yes.
I've got problems.
I've gone through all the files on Islamo-Thingy networks.
Everything that's dangerous or trying to look like it.
There's a ton.
Get to the point.
Your daughter is with a bad crowd.
Yes, Juliette.
Who's she with?
She's with networks sending young guys to Syria.
I kind of knew.
- If you're OK... - No. But she's doing research.
She's researching very closely.
What does that mean, exactly?
That to get into there, when you're a young lady,
means you have solid relations in the milieu.
Want me to dig around?
- She'd never forgive rne. - Try to make her talk.
- What she's doing is dangerous. - What's the risk?
The people she's with do it all: radical Islam...
drugs, stolen cars...
Stop. It worries me.
Girls should be in the convent.
What happened with the secret defense meeting?
Ask Gabrielle.
What are you doing here? Leave.
Go!
Does she nap a lot?
No. She lies down a minute, but doesn't sleep.
Well, it's time.
Gabrielle!
- Did I fall asleep? - I think so.
Kapita's here.
You look fine.
Send him in.
The Algerian Interior minister
has ordered special units of the Algerian police
to launch an assault on the Gazex complex
where dozens of hostages are still held.
Military operations are happening now.
Supported by army helicopters, special forces
launched an assault against the Islamists.
Witnesses confirm that the staff,
expats, and Westerners
were indeed the target...
Subtitles: Eclair Group