Kompromat (2022) Movie Script

1
KOMPROMA(eerie dramatic music playing)
Kompromat refers to documents
used to destroy
someone's reputation.
The word, like the process,
was invented
by the Russian secret services.
This film and its characters
are very loosely based
on real events.
(branches cracking)
(panting)
(grunts)
(panting)
IRKUTSK, SIBERIA
5 MONTHS EARLIER
(in Russian) May I speak
to Julia?
Thank you.
(in French) Hello, Julia.
It's Mathieu.
Fine, and you?
Did you get my message?
Yes, I found your phone.
It's at the house.
Can you watch Rose
this afternoon?
She's not feeling well.
She doesn't want
to go to school. Okay?
Great.
Okay. That way
you can pick up your phone.
Thanks a lot, Julia.
See you later.
Fabienne: The Alliance Franaise
gives French classes,
but we also have
cultural activities.
- Morning, Fabienne!
- Hi! How are you?
- Cold!
- Yeah.
Where were we?
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
- (knocking)
- Man: Come in!
Mathieu: Hello!
- How's it going?
- Student: Great!
Man: Good morning, boss!
Vladimir, how are you?
Very well.
Would you be willing
to give an interview
to the local TV station?
Me?
They do a weekly portrait
of an Irkutsk celebrity,
like you.
An Irkutsk celebrity?
It's good publicity for us.
Why not?
- I'll see to it.
- Thanks, Vladimir.
(in Russian) Good morning,
Boris.
Good morning, Mathieu.
(grunts) It's not working?
It'll work!
Good, because it's not exactly
hot in here!
The magician winter arrives.
It's here. Slippery everywhere.
(phone ringing)
Boris: Hanging from
- the oak tree branches...
- Hello?
(in French) Thanks
for calling me back.
(Boris continues speaking)
Boris, I'm on the phone.
Is there any way
you could come...
(Boris continues speaking)
Boris, Boris! The phone.
Okay...
- (Boris continues speaking)
- Could you stop by
at the end of the week?
(brakes squeak)
(dogs barking in the distance)
(voice on TV)
- (door opens)
- I'm home!
Woman on TV: France has repaid
the 784 million euros
the Russians advanced us.
Alice: You're late.
Sorry. I did my best, but...
I had things to do.
Where you going?
- Alice: I told you.
- Mathieu: No, you didn't.
To my yoga class.
That's what
couldn't be canceled?
Rose is in her room.
She's not sick at all.
See you tonight.
- (footsteps thudding)
- (door opens)
(door closes)
Daddy!
Sweetheart!
- How are you?
- Good.
I'm so happy to see you.
Look, I made you a bear
with your name on it.
That's beautiful! You made that?
Rose: Yes.
All alone?
(chuckles)
Thank you, sweetheart.
You staying with me today?
No, I can't.
I have to go back to work.
But Julia will be here
till Mom gets home.
Why can't you stay with me?
Because I can't.
I have to work, but...
Julia's funny, isn't she?
No, Julia's not funny.
No, that's true, she's not.
I have an idea that's funny.
I found her phone.
Know what we can do?
Let's hide it.
Okay?
Where shall we put it?
In the fridge?
No, she'll find it right away,
won't she?
How about in the toaster?
Maybe in the toaster.
That's a very good idea!
Look, we'll put her phone
in the toaster,
like a slice of bread.
Click!
And presto!
Hey, what are you doing?
(knocking)
(knock)
(Rose screams)
(indistinct yelling)
Mathieu: What's going on?
Who are you? What do you want?
Shut up!
Rose!
Julia, call my wife, please!
Daddy!
Mathieu: Don't cry, sweetheart!
It'll be fine!
(yelling) Who the hell are you?
(Mathieu panting)
(indistinct conversation
in Russian)
Mathieu: (in Russian)
It's a mistake!
Call the French Embassy!
(Mathieu panting)
(indistinct conversation
in Russian)
- (Mathieu panting)
- (door slams shut)
Mathieu: I'm director
of the Alliance Franaise!
- Man: (in Russian) Shut up!
- (grunts)
3 WEEKS EARLIER
I thank you all
for attending this inauguration.
Barely six months
since my arrival,
I'm extremely proud
to be promoting French culture
in Siberia.
I would also like to thank,
in particular, Mr. Ivanovitch,
whom everyone here knows.
Without your generosity,
dear Andrei,
we would never have been
able to renovate this theater.
Thank you, Andrei.
(applause)
As we say in France,
enjoy the show!
- (applause)
- (footsteps thudding)
(in French) Can you speak
to the choreographer?
Don't worry, Vladimir,
it'll be fine.
The Russian mentality
is very different
from the French.
I know.
Anyway, it's too late now.
Andrei, thank you.
- How was I?
- Great.
This is Michle,
cultural attach
at the French Embassy.
- Hello.
- Alice: You came from Moscow?
Yes, I wouldn't miss this!
You'll see, it's terrific.
Stop squirming.
It's about to start.
- What?
- The show's starting.
Honey, we're going home.
She's asleep.
Stay a while, it just started.
She may wake up
and start crying.
- Let her sleep on your lap.
- No.
(muffled chatter)
(someone coughs)
(chair squeaks)
(murmurs)
(chairs rattling)
(shuddered breathing)
(indistinct dialogue)
Rose: Daddy!
Daddy!
Rose?
- (lock rattling)
- Rose, I'm here, sweetheart!
- (Mathieu yelling)
- (handcuffs rattling)
(metal squeaks)
- (metal squeaks)
- (door closes)
(Mathieu panting)
Mathieu Roussel?
(in Russian) Do you understand
Russian?
I'm thirsty.
(panting) I'm thirsty.
(tap on the table)
I'm an examining magistrate.
Official proceedings
have been opened against you.
Please, call the French Embassy.
Please.
You are accused of
disseminating child pornography
on the internet.
Do you understand?
Do you understand?
That's impossible.
In addition, you're accused
of molesting your daughter.
Listen...
That's impossible!
Magistrate: The investigation
will decide.
You are remanded into custody,
pending further investigation,
in accordance with article 242
of the Russian Federation
penal code.
Article 242.
(dogs barking)
(indistinct dialogue)
- (indistinct dialogue)
- (loud barking)
Mathieu: No.
Not that.
Please, please...
- Okay.
- Thank you.
(indistinct dialogue)
(prisoner yelling)
(indistinct dialogue)
(loud banging)
(indistinct dialogue)
- (footsteps thudding)
- (man speaking indistinctly)
Guard: Cell 135!
Positions!
(metal squeaks)
(metal squeaks)
(indistinct chatter)
At ease!
(door closes with a thud)
- What, who?
- (door thuds)
(locks rattle)
(quiet chatter)
What's your name?
Mathieu. I'm French.
What article?
So?
Cat got your tongue?
(laughter)
Go on! Spit it out!
Enough! Keep quiet!
Why are you here?
What's the charge?
Come here.
No idea.
Come here.
That's your bunk.
(Mathieu grunts)
Why are you here, you bastard?
Bastard! Answer me!
No idea.
Why'd they lock you up?
You're not here for nothing.
(murmurs)
(indistinct chatter)
(in French) Vladimir, excuse me.
Where's Ivanovitch?
He rushed out of here.
Mathieu, this is Svetlana.
She taught French here
last year.
- Pleased to meet you, miss.
- Likewise.
- He didn't say anything?
- Vladimir: Not a word.
I was saying how much
I loved that ballet.
Thank you.
(dance music)
(cheers)
(cheering)
- (in Russian) To your health!
- Cheers!
(cheering)
To the dance and the arts!
- Cheers!
- Cheers!
(cheering)
Welcome to Russia!
Welcome to Irkutsk!
group: Cheers!
(in French) You'll never keep up
with them!
No, I can't dance.
I don't know how to dance!
I can't...
- (metal squeaks)
- (in Russian) Cell 135!
Positions!
(indistinct dialogue)
Health walk!
Not you!
(lock clatters)
If you wanna go for a walk,
you have to pay.
Don't you have money?
The guards took it all.
(laughs)
Man:
There are three categories here.
Men we respect,
men we beat,
and men we fuck.
So, what's the charge
against you?
Why are you here?
Shakir will find out
in the yard.
He'll know. (chuckles)
242!
I'm betting you're a 242.
I'm not guilty.
You're a strong guy.
You'll defend yourself.
(footsteps thudding)
(door squeaks)
guard: Cell 135! Positions!
(man clears throat)
(footsteps)
(chatter)
Dirty fuck! You like kids?
- (clamor)
- (Mathieu groaning)
(men goading)
- (clamoring)
- (Mathieu screaming)
Get over here!
(Mathieu screaming)
(clamor)
(guards yelling)
(Mathieu gasping)
- I'll kill you, asshole!
- (clamoring)
I'll get you!
(indistinct yelling)
(somber ambient music playing)
- (in French) Don't you
ever smile?
- When it's worth the effort.
Really? (chuckles)
Not too often, it seems.
We don't smile
at people all day long here.
If you're always smiling,
you're always lying.
We're always lying?
Maybe, who knows?
May I call you Svetlana?
Yes.
- You're always smiling.
- (chuckles) That's not true.
No, I don't think so.
(music thumping)
You don't even realize it.
(laughter)
I'm smiling because I'm happy.
You're smiling too.
(both laugh)
- You're happy too.
- No way!
It's true.
You don't realize it, either.
I have to go.
Wait! Can we see each other
again?
I don't think so.
- Why?
- It doesn't matter.
(in Russian) Pretty girl.
Pretty girl, I said.
Do you know her?
I've seen her.
Dimitri Rostov.
Mathieu Roussel.
Boss, to your health!
(cheering)
(Boris singing) I loved you
And perhaps my love
Deep in my heart
Is not yet extinguished
FSB!
Stay away from guys like him!
- FSB?
- They used to be called
KGB!
(singing) I loved you
And perhaps my love
Was a timid flame and...
(suspenseful music playing)
(loud buzzer)
(door closes with a thud)
(loud buzzer)
(knuckles crackling)
(grunting)
(hissing)
(puffing)
(indistinct dialogue)
(thud)
Michle: (in French)
Hello, Mathieu.
Got anything to eat? I'm hungry.
I'm sorry, I don't have a thing.
Mathieu: The Embassy has
to get me out of here, Michle.
Yes, we're working on that.
My wife should...
make a deposition.
Or come here...
I'd really like to see her.
I'd like to speak to her.
I'd like to know how Rose,
my daughter, is.
Borodin: (in French)
Your wife...
make deposition.
Michle: This is Mr. Borodin.
He'll be your attorney.
I speak small French.
My wife saw the police?
She spoke to them?
Interrogation.
(in Russian) Interrogation.
(in French) Why didn't they
let me go, if she saw the...
Why am I still here?
Borodin: The judge sent you
to prison because your wife
made a deposition.
(in Spanish) One moment.
(in Russian)
Interrogation Report.
(in French) "Citizen
Alice Roussel told
the interrogator
that her husband was dangerous."
"She asked the authorities
for protection, as a witness,
and to imprison her husband
for threatening her daughter."
Michle:
When your wife was interrogated,
she said you abused her
and your daughter.
She pressed charges
and asked for police protection.
Borodin: Protection, yes.
That's impossible. He's lying.
(yells) You're lying!
- Michle: (indistinct)
- Michle, what does this mean?
guard: (in Russian) Calm down!
(in French) I've never raised
a hand to them.
Michle, you know me!
What is all this?
Why scream, Mr. Roussel?
Your wife says this.
Who is this guy?
Mr. Borodin's the best lawyer
in the city.
You're gonna need him.
I wanna see Alice. I wanna
see my wife. That's all I ask.
Your wife and daughter
have left Russia.
We know they landed in France,
so they're safe.
But we don't know
where they are.
They left?
(Mr. Borodin speaks Russian)
Michle: (in French)
He'd like to know
about your relationship
with your wife.
Mathieu: You're not eating?
Why keep coming
to this restaurant,
if you never eat?
I'm the only one who likes it.
So, tell me...
how's your book going?
(phone chimes)
Sorry. I left it on,
in case Julia called.
Who is it?
Mom.
Rose has refused
to speak to her for days now.
Think I should force her to?
No, why? It's no big deal.
I think the move has upset her
a little.
I was thinking that maybe...
she needs a little brother
or sister.
(huffs) You're nuts!
(chuckles) Why am I nuts?
I don't know.
Shouldn't we try
to pull through first?
Us.
What do you mean "pull through"?
I thought we did.
We are pulling through,
aren't we?
- (phone chimes)
- Sorry. I'll put it on silent.
No, what if Julia calls?
Your mother again?
- No idea.
- No idea...
Can I see?
Mathieu, don't start again.
Mathieu: That's just it,
I hope not.
Mathieu...
Show me and we'll drop it!
(bangs on the table)
I need some air.
I have the right to ask.
I have the right.
Alice.
- Wait!
- I wanna go home.
The car's this way.
I wanna go home to France.
What the hell are we doing here?
Have you spoken to him again?
It's not that.
- Was that him?
- That's not the problem.
Obviously, that's the problem!
Why are you doing this to me?
You promised me it was over.
You promised!
(yells) Why do this?
I don't love you anymore,
Mathieu.
I wanna go back to France.
Fine...
then go. What can I say?
- But Rose stays!
- Because you decide?
(yells) No, but we're married.
There are laws!
There are laws?
That's not what I mean.
I'm miserable. Don't go.
Alice: It's over, Mathieu!
It's over!
(banging on the door)
(loud buzzer)
(in Russian) This came for you.
(door closes)
(loud buzzer)
This came for you.
(door closes with a thud)
- (metal squeaking)
- (thud)
guard: On your feet!
(indistinct dialogue)
(metal squeaking)
(dogs barking)
Borodin: (in French)
Hello, Mathieu Roussel.
Is free and bracelet.
- Pardon?
- You are bracelet.
Speak Russian.
I like to speak French.
That's not really French.
Speak Russian.
(in Russian) I've secured
your release under
surveillance.
- I'm free?
- No.
But you can stay in your home
with an electronic bracelet.
Thank you.
- Thank you.
- (Mr. Borodin laughs)
(in French) Best lawyer
in the city.
Please, Mr. Roussel.
(dogs barking)
(in Russian) You're on temporary
parole.
This electronic bracelet
will constantly indicate
your position.
Any attempt to remove it
or alter its signal in any way
will set off an alarm.
Your telephone will be bugged
and limited to local calls.
You are forbidden
to connect to the internet.
You are forbidden from meeting
anyone connected to your case.
You may go out
for two hours a day,
between nine a.m. and six p.m.,
solely to buy essential items.
If you don't respect
these rules,
you will immediately return
to prison.
Understand?
No telephone.
No internet.
I can't see anyone.
Otherwise...
back to prison.
Mathieu: Understood.
Borodin: (in French) Calm.
I give you news soon.
Counselor...
Did you send me food in prison?
This...
Was that you? Food.
You imagine me smiley?
No.
Impossible.
(door closes)
(wardrobe squeaks)
(bed creaks)
(song on the radio)
(both laughing)
Mathieu: Show me how you dance!
Like this!
(Mathieu singing along
with radio)
(song on the radio)
Hi, Julia!
- (in Russian) I'll do
the ironing.
- Mathieu: (indistinct)
(plays piano)
(engine starts)
(plays piano)
Man: (in Russian) Were you
wondering why I called you?
Mathieu: To discuss the show?
(dogs barking)
Ivanovitch: You westerners,
with your humanism
and tolerance,
soon you'll outlaw hunting.
Hunting's in our blood,
it's part of our Russian
secular culture.
Have you ever shot
at a living target?
Mathieu: Never.
(dogs barking)
Wanna try?
(in French) Don't you want
to try?
Thank you very much.
Not today, thanks.
- (in Russian) Not today.
- Not today.
I understood.
Ivanovitch: Wolves!
- (howling)
- (dogs barking)
Mathieu: (in French) Wolves?
(in Russian) You haven't asked
what I thought of your show.
You left so quickly.
That show was a perfect example
of the decadence
of your culture.
Perversity posing
as open-mindedness,
creative freedom,
and God knows what else.
Your so-called moral values
are distorted and degrading.
You're governed by cowards.
And you, concretely,
you represent everything
we loathe, I loathe.
(in French) Excuse me,
I didn't...
You represent everything
we loathe.
Everything I loathe.
But...
(in Russian) And I'll never
finance you again. Understood?
Translator: (in French)
I'll never finance you again.
(gunshot)
(dogs barking)
(panting)
(dogs barking)
(shooter reloads the gun)
(loud barking)
(automated message in Russian)
You have exhausted your credit.
Please contact your provider.
(rings the buzzer)
(gate squeaks)
(door squeaks)
(in French) Hello, Mr. Roussel.
Thank you for coming.
(whirring)
Please...
can you buy me
a SIM card for a cell phone?
Telephone.
I'll pay you back.
I'm an attorney.
Not an accomplice.
Sir, I...
If you find a telephone,
no calls.
Never.
Only encrypted messenger,
Signal, Telegram, Darknet.
Regular internet, no!
Otherwise, straight to prison.
Know what they say about me?
Do you know?
If I go back to jail,
I won't come out alive.
(whirring stops)
I can't go back to jail!
I'm late, Mr. Roussel.
(footsteps)
Who is it?
Do you know?
No idea.
Goodbye, Mr. Roussel.
(door opens, squeaks)
(door closes loudly)
5:20 p.m...
5:15 p.m.
(car engine starts)
Man: (in Russian)
Now where's he going?
(indistinct dialogue)
(door thuds)
(indistinct dialogue)
(in French) Hello, Svetlana.
Keep shopping.
Cops are watching.
Did you send me food in jail?
Why?
I thought you'd say
"thank you," not "why?"
Why doesn't matter.
Thank you.
You saved my life.
That's what matters.
Help me one last time?
I need you to buy me this.
- Can you?
- Why me?
Mathieu: Why doesn't matter.
I don't know anyone else.
Here, tomorrow, same time.
(children speaking indistinctly)
(keys jangling)
(man puffing)
(voices on TV)
(man puffing)
Svetlana: (in Russian) I'm late.
(man chuckles, coughs)
Your father's coming to dinner.
Sasha: I remember.
And he'll be early again...
as usual.
- (doorbell ringing)
- See?
(coughing)
- Good evening, Svetlana.
- Good evening.
(rain pattering)
(dog barking)
(dogs barking in the distance)
(bottle rattles on the floor)
(tapping on window)
(door squeaks)
(instrumental music
starts playing)
(in French) Is this what
you need?
Thank you.
(thunder rolling)
Svetlana:
Do you have a trial date?
(turns the volume up)
No, not yet.
They said in three months.
Maybe it'll be okay.
No, it won't be okay.
They trapped me.
I know.
My lawyer says it's the FSB.
Every day I think,
"What can I say? What can I do?"
I swear, I don't know.
Remember that guy at the bar
where we were dancing?
Dimitri Rostov.
Head of the FSB in Irkutsk.
He's my father-in-law.
I hate him.
In that case, you know why he
launched a kompromat against me.
They say you're a spy.
Do I look like a spy?
What does a spy look like?
I don't know, but I'm no spy.
I'm not a spy.
I believe you.
Is that why you left last time?
You took off
because you saw him at the bar?
Him...
So he saw us talking,
laughing, dancing together.
Maybe that's why.
Don't you think?
A kompromat for that?
We were just dancing.
- We were drunk.
- Mostly you.
In any case, you'll never know.
- What?
- Why the FSB trapped you.
That's how it works here.
Pretty steep for a dance,
isn't it?
It wasn't so bad, was it?
It wasn't so bad.
I have to go.
Why?
To get home.
My husband's waiting.
Good luck, Mathieu.
(door squeaks)
(thunder rolling)
(chime sound)
(computer game shooting)
- (shooting in the game)
- (Sasha puffing)
Sasha: (in Russian) Where'd you
disappear to?
(zipper sound)
I went out for a drink.
Sasha: Again?
Again.
(shooting sounds
in the computer game)
(glass taps on the table)
(water pouring)
(glass taps on the table)
Did you dance?
I danced.
How was it?
Fun?
Fabulous.
(thud)
Sasha: Get your hands off me!
Slut...
(locks rattling)
(Sasha grunting)
(clatter)
Slut!
Filthy dancer!
PEDOPHILE
Alliance Franaise Director
an Accused Pedophile
MOSCOW - FRENCH EMBASSY
(operatic singing)
(in French) Human rights, etc.,
and commensurate
with those values,
we refuse to deliver weapons
to Russia
until their aggression
against Crimea ceases.
Will you send me that?
(beeping)
I have to go, Julien's calling.
(indistinct)
(operatic singing)
I'm on my way.
NO PHONES
IN THE ANECHOIC CHAMBER
- (beeping)
- (buzzer)
Thank you.
Thank you.
So?
Man: We finally got
Mathieu Roussel's
indictment file.
What a nightmare!
A put-up job!
It's basically a bunch
of crude fabrications.
Kompromat?
But why Mathieu?
What did he do to them?
You sure
he's not secret service?
Not to my knowledge.
Those guys are so twisted,
you never know.
What'll we do?
Once he's convicted...
Michle: They won't convict him
if it's all based
on gross falsehoods.
That file only proves
his innocence.
They'll have to free him.
And admit that the FSB
trapped him?
They have no choice.
They'll convict him.
- What'll he get?
- Minimum, ten years.
- Probably 15.
- (huffs)
Once he's convicted,
we'll negotiate his extradition,
to serve his sentence in France.
That sounds good.
And we say what?
There's nothing we can do?
There is nothing we can do.
Are you in contact?
Via his lawyer.
Let's avoid another crisis.
Reassure him.
Keep him calm until his trial.
- (door closes)
- (piano notes)
Borodin:
Your trial's in three months.
You have to wait...
- (Mathieu sighs)
- ...calmly.
Mathieu: Calmly!
What could I get?
I don't know.
Maybe prison, maybe not.
I'm working for you.
It'll be fine.
(Borodin sighs)
(in Russian) Listen to me.
You'll be sentenced
to ten or 15 years in prison.
You have no chance.
If you have the guts, escape.
Take off.
(in French) Goodbye,
Mr. Roussel!
(door opens)
(footsteps)
(door closes)
(foreign language)
(foreign language)
(foreign language)
(foreign language)
(foreign language)
(rain pattering)
(message chimes)
Still in Irkutsk?
(message chimes)
Yes.
(message chimes)
I've decided to stay
till summer.
(message chimes)
It's already summer
(rain pattering)
(banging on the door)
Man: (in Russian) Open the door!
(banging on the door)
(banging on the door)
Is it working now?
Okay.
(floor creaking)
Man: I don't know what happened.
A bad connection?
These things are shit!
Made in Russia!
(clatter)
Sorry!
Let's go.
(clatter)
Have a nice day!
- (footsteps)
- (door closes)
(sighs)
(piano music playing)
IRKUTSK - ULAN BATOR
(piano music playing)
(zipping the bag)
(tinfoil rustles)
(announcement over PA)
(indistinct chatter)
Ulan Bator?
Yes, Ulan Bator. Get on.
Get on.
(engine running)
(phone ringing)
I'm listening.
Again?
(banging on the door)
(banging on the door)
Open the door!
(banging on the door)
(grunts)
Your French guy disappeared.
That doesn't surprise you?
Svetlana: Sasha!
He has a phone.
I have his number.
Now we'll find him quickly.
Yeah.
He wrote on Telegram.
A few days ago.
That's how she got his number.
See you tonight.
Sasha: Of course not.
She didn't respond, no.
No, she didn't respond.
RUSSIAN - MONGOLIAN BORDER
(soldier whistles)
Soldier 1: Your papers, please.
Where are you going?
Soldier 2: We're checking.
Soldier 1: Passports.
(indistinct conversation)
What's in the suitcase? Open it.
(sports commentary)
(phone ringing)
(sports commentary)
(phone ringing)
(indistinct conversation)
Where are you going?
(phone ringing)
(sports commentary)
Yes?
Have a nice trip.
(sports commentary)
Guard: Stop! The Frenchman!
The Frenchman escaped!
His cell phone was traced here.
The bus!
Open up!
Stop!
- (bangs on the bus)
- Stop!
Stop the bus!
Open the door!
(door opens
with a hissing sound)
- (phone ringing)
- (indistinct conversations)
Whose phone is this?
(in French) We're clear.
There's a new phone in the bag.
How will you cross the border?
I don't know.
You don't want to tell me.
No, it's not that. I really...
I don't know, I...
I'll improvise. I'll find a way.
You're so French.
What does that mean?
Lots of words, lots of phrases.
- You're so...
- So what?
- Lightweight.
- Lightweight?
I don't feel
especially lightweight
at the moment, but...
Maybe.
Think we're that different?
We're tragic.
We can't understand one another.
You think?
(grunts disapprovingly)
Look.
Horrible! Erase!
Mathieu: No, absolutely not.
You're not at all horrible.
You're very beautiful.
You're very beautiful.
Man: (in Russian)
I don't usually carpool.
There are too many
violent people around.
But last week,
I fell asleep at the wheel...
IRKUTSK - KRASNOYARSK -
NOVOSIBIRSK
(dog barking)
(knocking)
(indistinct conversation)
(message chimes)
Hope you got home okay.
I'm sure we'll meet again
one day.
(alarm beeping)
You have 3 new messages.
(message chimes)
I got home fine, thanks.
Don't stay in contact.
It's too dangerous.
Good luck, Mathieu Roussel.
There they are!
Rostov: Sagarine!
Know him?
Rostov: By reputation.
He slipped
right through your fingers.
Have an explanation?
It proves that our suspicions
were correct.
Mathieu Roussel is a spy.
I'll catch him.
And I'll rid the FSB
of suspicions.
(phone ringing)
Yes?
Go ahead.
(indistinct dialogue)
He was at Beslan?
Three hundred hostages died.
Half were children.
Killed by terrorists.
Not Spetsnaz.
They attacked the school
with tanks, flamethrowers.
The Spetsnaz are animals.
And that brute takes us
for idiots.
We have a lead.
We traced his cell phone to
the Mongolian border.
He had a map of the region
in his house.
(humph)
Luckily,
he didn't turn off his phone.
He had a new number.
We got it from an informer.
Man 1:
There were theaters everywhere.
- We read poetry.
- Man 2: Uh-huh.
Man 1: We were workers,
but we had access to culture!
But you had nothing to eat,
with the communists.
What was your relationship
with the Frenchman?
Professional. I had worked
at the Alliance Franaise.
- That's all?
- Svetlana: Yes.
I heard you liked
to dance together.
Just once.
Only once?
Yes, once.
(Sagarine humph)
So, you like to dance...
Then why'd he call you?
You'd have to ask him.
Sagarine:
Because he's your lover?
We danced together once.
We were a little drunk.
That's it.
Nothing else happened.
He's married. So am I.
He's not my lover.
He's not my lover.
Man 1: We weren't afraid
of them.
Man 2: Yeah.
Man 1: In the stores,
there weren't many brands
of detergent.
We had one.
Good luck, Mathieu Roussel.
Show me his message
on your phone.
I erased it.
There!
No luck.
I kept his number, just in case.
In case of what?
Give me your phone.
Unlock it.
I'd like to continue
speaking French.
At least in writing...
How much did he pay you
to help him escape?
- I didn't help him.
- Of course you did.
That's enough!
Get out!
I really hate
when little whores lie to me!
Are you crazy?
Especially whores like you.
That's what you are,
Svetlana Rostova.
A foreign spy's little whore.
Sasha, stop!
(yells) Sit down!
- Please, leave.
- A little whore!
Where is that bastard?
I don't know.
- (phone buzzes)
- (message chimes)
This FSB guy's looking for you.
Be careful. Don't answer me.
(news theme)
Newsreader:
This is where Mathieu Roussel,
of the Alliance Franaise,
lived with his wife
and daughter.
He was arrested
on February 21 for spreading
child pornography
on the internet.
On April 16, he was released
with an electronic
surveillance bracelet.
(muffled conversation)
(indistinct dialogue)
Newsreader: Avoiding questioning
only proves his guilt.
An international arrest order
has been issued
and everything is being done
to prevent him
from crossing the border.
To date,
pedophilia is considered
the most serious crime...
Hello?
I have info on the Frenchman.
(police siren)
(phone alarm beeping)
Man: You know,
I like to think of myself
as a philosopher.
I've traveled a lot.
Especially in Europe, but also
in Israel, Central Asia,
even in the United States,
where I've given seminars.
Everyone has the right
to believe in whatever God
he likes,
at the moment he believes.
But if you don't believe in God,
you can't understand
the universe or its origins.
Could I have a little water?
Thank you.
(in French) Shit...
(in Russian) Are you Catholic
in Switzerland?
Protestant, too.
So, you believe in God Almighty?
Of course.
Of course.
Ivanovitch: The Frenchman's
still in the country.
Someone's helping him.
Who?
I don't know.
It doesn't matter.
I think the professor's
learned his lesson.
Let him go back to the Sorbonne.
It doesn't depend on me anymore.
Nor on you.
Moscow's in charge now.
They won't let him go home.
Any regrets?
May he burn in hell!
(Ivanovitch laughs)
Man: Get your papers ready,
son...
The Tsar's police.
(soldier whistles)
(indistinct dialogue)
My papers...
are in my backpack,
in the trunk.
Soldier: Your papers.
Where are you going?
Man: Moscow.
- Soldier: For what reason?
- Man: I'm going home.
Soldier: Open the trunk.
Man: There's nothing in there.
Soldier: The trunk!
You should be ashamed,
wasting my time, you nitwit!
I'm Alexandre Alexeivitch,
bishop of the patriarch
of Moscow,
and you treat me
like a criminal.
Get lost, before I call
the Kremlin!
Okay, go ahead!
Get out of my way!
Bunch of idiots!
(Mathieu sighs)
(bell tolling)
Thank you!
Do you wish to confess, my son?
Not today.
Thank you.
Michle: (in French)
Ambassador, sir,
I got this ten minutes ago.
He's in Moscow? Not Mongolia?
I don't know. What do I say?
(phone ringing)
- Mathieu: Yes?
- Michle: Stay where you are.
The FSB may be staked out,
outside the embassy.
Okay, fine.
Michle:
The gendarmes will check.
- Okay.
- Michle: Don't budge.
(car honks)
(phone ringing)
Yes?
Man: Cross the street
and walk to the gate calmly.
(police siren)
Come in!
Man: So you managed to cross
all of Russia without being
caught?
I opened a PayPal account
and reserved rooms and rides
with a fake name.
(chuckles)
That's how I got here.
Could I have a piece
of meat, sir?
Hats off to you!
Really!
For an Alliance Franaise
director,
you're pretty resourceful.
Thank you.
Does anyone know you're here?
No.
No one must know.
The Russians, the press. No one.
No outside communication.
Okay.
You're putting us in deep shit.
We have more comfortable
apartments,
but they're less discreet.
Keep them closed, day and night.
I'll stop by
to see you regularly.
The cook will bring your meals.
Thank you, Michle.
You won't lock me in?
Of course not, I trust you.
Do you need anything else?
My daughter.
I'm sure you'll see her soon.
Have you seen the video?
No. What video?
Michle: Your lawyer received it
in the mail,
on a USB drive.
But you'd already left Irkutsk.
My name is Alice Roussel.
The documents
accusing my husband are false,
which I was forced to sign.
I was given the choice
of signing those papers
or going to prison
and sending my daughter
to an orphanage.
That's why I agreed
to sign those papers.
But my husband is innocent.
He's a wonderful father.
They'd have convicted you,
anyway.
You were right to escape.
Thank you, Michle.
See you later.
(sniffles)
- Man: (in Russian)
When did he leave?
- I don't know.
My husband and I
were watching TV.
- Man: When did he leave?
- I don't know.
I didn't see him.
(in French) Our objective
is to smuggle you
out of the country.
We'll take a diplomatic car
from the embassy.
You'll be hidden
under a blanket.
An eight-hour drive to here.
Good. And then?
You'll cross the border,
into Estonia, on foot.
How many kilometers
will that be?
About 20.
At night.
Okay, great.
Twenty kilometers through
a forest with wolves
and armed border guards.
- Who shoot on sight
- It won't be easy.
Okay.
When?
We'll let you know.
(message chimes)
You okay?
(message chimes)
Can I respond this time?
(message chimes)
Please
(message chimes)
I'm sort of okay. And you?
(message chimes)
Sort of? Are you in France?
(message chimes)
Not yet.
(message chimes)
Soon, I hope.
(message chimes)
Can I call you?
(message chimes)
You don't answer anymore?
(message chimes)
(message chimes)
Sorry. I'm here now.
(message chimes)
Everything okay?
(message chimes)
Yes. I went to the supermarket
today. I thought of you.
(message chimes)
I think I miss
that supermarket a little
(message chimes)
Want me to send you a delivery?
(knocking)
Come in.
Thank you.
Hello.
Have a seat.
We have two important things
to tell you.
Good news and bad news?
One's bad and one's very bad.
You've been convicted,
in absentia,
to 15 years of forced labor.
I can't imagine...
what the very bad news could be.
I spoke to Russian authorities
this morning.
They know you're within
these walls.
They know or suspect?
- Man: They know.
- How could they know?
How do I know?
In any case,
they asked questions.
Precise and insistent.
I had no choice
but to admit that you were here.
You had another choice.
You could have lied.
I won't endanger our relations
with Russia for you.
Who do you take yourself for?
I take myself for a guy
who's innocent
and asking for
his embassy's help.
The Russians seem convinced
of your guilt.
It is crazy that the FSB
would put so much energy
into bringing down a simple
Alliance Franaise director.
Why?
Hold on...
Is that a real question?
What are you insinuating?
What do you mean, "why"?
How do I know why?
I don't know why!
Because I don't like hunting?
Because I play princess
with my daughter?
Because I watch two men kiss
on stage?
Because you wouldn't give them
those damned
helicopter carriers?
Because I danced with
some FSB guy's daughter-in-law?
I don't know!
Because they hate who I am,
that's why!
Who cares? What do we do now?
It's not up to me
to dictate your behavior but...
Maybe you should consider
surrendering
to Russian authorities.
I don't get it. Those people
had a plan to cross the border.
Smuggling you out of the country
is out of the question.
That would be
a grave diplomatic error.
With consequences...
So I should turn myself in?
And do 15 years?
You'd only spend
a few weeks in prison here...
and I promise...
Yeah, right!
...to have you transferred
to France,
to serve your sentence
in comfortable conditions.
With every possible pardon.
(yells) But I'm innocent,
damn it!
I didn't do anything!
What if I refuse?
You gonna throw me out?
Certainly not.
But you'll never leave here.
Okay, fine.
So I'm a prisoner, is that it?
The only solution
is to turn yourself over.
Russians think
the French are cowards.
They're right.
(shooting sounds
in the game)
(in Russian) We said
you'd quit that.
Yeah...
You have to sleep.
What are you doing to me?
Remember Catherine?
She works at the
Alliance Franaise in Moscow.
They're looking for someone
like me.
I have an interview tomorrow.
You're going to Moscow
for the interview?
That job's an opportunity.
You're right.
But what'll we do in Moscow?
And what do we do here?
That's true, too.
When will you be back?
The day after tomorrow.
Svetlana: Hm?
Man: (in French)
And it's also that friendship
that we wanted to celebrate
today,
as we do every year.
- (applause)
- ("La Marseillaise" playing)
(chatter)
- (indistinct conversations)
- (laughter)
(indistinct conversations)
(indistinct chatter)
Hello!
- How are you?
- Fine!
(loud voices)
(commotion)
(cars honking)
(panting)
(in Russian) Shit!
(brakes screech)
He disappeared.
Search every street.
He can't be far.
You two, that way!
You, that way.
Shit!
(dramatic music playing)
- Svetlana: Mathieu!
- (in French) Run! Come here!
(both panting)
(car beeps)
Mathieu: Why?
Why do all this for me?
Why! Again "why"!
Right.
The why doesn't matter.
You know why, don't you?
I think so.
Then why ask the question?
I don't know.
(in Russian) How does he know
she's in Moscow?
Sergei: She rented a car.
I always knew that girl
was a whore.
And you believed her?
Damn cuckold!
You're a nice guy...
What?
Maybe you like having a wife
who spreads her legs
for foreigners!
No problem...
No problem? And that's my son!
You're a filthy fag!
You're not my son!
That's fine.
- Get the hell up!
- Sasha: Don't touch me!
Some Chechen war hero! Stand up!
- Don't touch me!
- Get up!
You'll never see her again.
That's enough, Dad!
You'll never see her again!
Go fuck yourself!
(muffled music from the radio)
(phone ringing)
Yes?
Yes.
Understood.
They were spotted
at a gas station near Ostrov.
Route M9.
He's trying to get
to the Estonian border.
Let's go.
(phone ringing)
(in French) Is that it?
Yeah, that's it.
There's a...
a big clearing there
that should help me.
See, I'm going there.
Okay, I'm going.
Soldiers take this
to stay awake.
They're amphetamines.
I'm no soldier, you know.
Mathieu:
Why don't you come with me?
Come with me.
I'd wind up hating myself.
Mathieu: Why?
Do you still love him?
Go, Mathieu.
I'm not going without you.
If I leave you here alone,
they'll take revenge!
Rostov will never do anything
to me.
You're the one he hates.
Do you realize
how beautiful this is?
This never happens.
When it does, you grab it.
Stop.
Afraid I'll convince you?
Is that it?
I'm not afraid of anything.
Go on. Go home, Mathieu.
I still love him.
I'll call you.
I won't answer.
(in Russian) Stop the car.
That has to be him.
Let's go!
Man:
Shall I call the border guards?
No, don't bother.
He's ours and he won't make it
out of the woods.
The wolves will finish the job.
- Understand?
- Man: Of course.
- Very good then.
- (gun clicks)
(growling)
(in French) Shit!
- Stay calm.
- (wolves growling)
- (panting)
- branches cracking)
Shit...
You don't attack men,
you know that.
(buzzing)
Sasha!
(keys jangling)
Sasha!
Sasha! Sasha!
DIMITRI ROSTOV CALLING
(message chimes)
VOICEMAIL FROM SASHA
Sasha: (in Russian) It's me...
I want to say that...
it's not your fault.
And that...
you're free now.
I love you, Sveta.
(engine running)
(phone buzzing)
(line ringing)
Sasha?
Rostov: Sveta...
Sasha...
Sasha hanged himself.
It's all my fault.
Me, alone.
- (sniffles)
- It's my fault.
Forgive me.
I'll be there
by early afternoon.
Rostov: No!
Don't come back.
You don't have to.
Live your life!
Who do you take me for,
Dimitri Rostov?
Forgive me.
Forgive me!
(groans)
(panting)
(in French) Shit!
This isn't the clearing.
(panting)
(branch cracks)
(panting)
(groans)
(gunshot)
(panting)
(yells)
(Mathieu yelling)
(gasping loudly)
Daddy!
Mathieu:
I lost your bear, sweetheart.
Rose: That's okay.
(gasping)
(shuddered breathing)
(panting)
(foreign language)
(indistinct commands)
(panting)
(birds chirping)
Mathieu Roussel Is Back
in France
(phone buzzing)
(line ringing)