The Good Lawyer (2026) Movie Script

[techno music plays]
[man 1 on phone] Where are you?
They brought Dritan. It's starting.
- [man 2] I can't hear. Fuck.
- When you getting here?
- Hello? Get over here.
- [man] Yeah?
- No, you don't get it!
- Get your ass over here!
Listen, bro, you're not making sense.
- What?
- You must be confused, the fact is
- I never got the stuff from you.
- You're not making sense.
- No, no!
- I know you got it.
- No, I didn't get anything.
- We're waiting.
Think what you want,
I'm not bullshitting you.
- Lorik told me you got the dough.
- What... No!
- You must've...
- You think we're that stupid?
- I would know if I got it.
- He told me you got it.
Now, come over here now!
Dritan fucking needs you!
- Wait, I'm losing you.
- Hello?
- You're breaking up. Sorry!
- Don't leave Dritan with...
What a fucking pain in the ass! [Sniffing]
[thumping techno music
playing over speakers]
- There you are! How are you? See you.
- How you doing? See you.
Yeah, see you, bye.
[music fades]
[man] That means
the tourist season is upon us.
God help the unsuspecting foreigner who
walks into a Parisian caf this Spring.
[sighs]
- Hey, get me a vodka, please.
- You got it.
[sniffs]
[car horn honking]
Pardon me. Much appreciated.
[siren wailing]
[exhales]
Bang. There you go, all right.
See you later. Ciao!
[bartender] Okay, take it easy.
- [horn honking]
- [bicycle bell dings]
[siren wailing]
[suspenseful music playing]
- Sir, everyone's been waiting.
- Relax, nothing happens without me.
Here's the photos of the kids
and the proof of residence you asked for.
Oh, here.
[suspenseful music continues]
- It's all there.
- [sniffs]
All right, which one is it?
- Room F, there!
- Go ahead, I need a minute.
- You're coming?
- Oh, yeah.
Hey, how are you?
- Morning, Annette.
- Morning, sir.
- You bringing me back my robe?
- No! The opposite, I need another.
You're pushing it.
You'll get me in trouble.
Not if you hire me as your lawyer.
I'll keep you out of hot water.
- Here you go.
- Thanks a lot.
- Hey, wait, the deposit!
- You have my coat.
[judge 1] On that date
at Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport,
authorities discovered no less than
27.3 kg of a whitish substance,
which was later identified
as high-quality cocaine.
The cocaine was stored
in two metal-wheeled suitcases,
where it was concealed beneath
a thin layer of Colombian coffee beans.
Sorry, are we disturbing you?
Uh, no, no, Your Honor.
Uh, I'm representing Mr., uh...
Mr. Alvaro Montoya.
Right, well, I'll proceed.
Your client is before the court today
to be prosecuted
for importing 27.3 kg of cocaine, which...
If I may, Your Honor,
about my client's phone.
I'd like to point out
a serious error in procedure,
that infringes upon,
uh, the rights of the defendant.
Counselor, you can't bring up
an objection whenever you're in the mood.
Of course not, but in violation
of Criminal Procedures Code 63-4-2,
my client's phone was examined
in my absence.
The evidence obtained from it
should be considered null and void.
- [sniffs]
- [bumps microphone]
Thanks, if I may, Your Honor.
In my view, examining a phone
is not the same as an interrogation.
That's true, but if you look
at the final lines of the report,
my client clearly maintains his innocence,
which shows he was referring to the case.
That makes it an interrogation,
which means I should've been present.
[suspenseful music continues]
Read that.
Counselor, I hereby grant your request.
The phone report will be judged
inadmissible in this trial.
Thank you, Your Honor.
[judge 1] Very well. Now that Mr. Landry
has graced us with his presence
and we've dispensed with his spectacular
and long-winded interruption,
I will resume my account
of the facts in this case.
Your client, one Mr. Montoya,
is being prosecuted for...
- One moment, Your Honor.
- What?
Without a valid reason for a recess,
- the hearing will continue.
- Absolutely, Your Honor.
[suspenseful music continues]
[sniffing]
[stall door opens and closes]
[breathing heavily]
[snorting]
[man] Hey!
Come on, you done?
[sniffs and clears throat]
- Where you going?
- Why are you here?
Why are you here?
Huh? You know my cousin's
waiting for his hearing.
I'm not going
to help your cousin, remember?
I told you on the phone
you never gave me the money.
Shut the fuck up, asshole!
You're gonna go defend him right now!
You have to pay before the hearing starts.
You wanna get paid?
Here. Here's your pay.
Is that what you want?
- The fuck? Why did you bring that in here?
- Look! Listen to me.
You're going to help Dritan
with his case right now, you understand?
- [breathing heavily]
- You understand? Do you understand?
Okay, okay, okay.
Yeah, defend him
or I'll smash your fucking face in.
We've got company.
[footsteps approaching]
[fly unzips]
- [muffled breaths]
- Don't move.
[man urinating]
- [urinal flushes]
- [fly zips]
[footsteps leaving]
[thug] We're good.
[enforcer] You understand?
You're his lawyer.
- Go on then, I'll see you in court.
- Goddamn right.
[stall door closes]
[tense music playing]
[snorting]
- Sir, what's going on?
- Give me two minutes.
What are you doing? Alvaro's alone
in there, they'll try him without you.
I'm talking to you!
[judge 2] To review
the evidence before us,
in a parking garage that you own,
four kilos of...
We didn't hear from you,
so we proceeded without you, counselor.
Yes, of course, no problem, Your Honor.
So, on the night of February 9, 2024,
Mr. Dritan or Dreet... Drite...
How do you pronounce your name, sir?
- Dritan.
- [judge 2] Dritan.
Mr. Dritan Berisha,
that evening, you committed the follow...
Excuse me, Your Honor,
I'm sorry, but you...
You just said, "you committed," correct?
"You committed" is that what you wrote,
Madam Clerk?
"You committed,"
that's what you just said.
Uh, let me finish this, please.
No, but, Your Honor, if you had said
"allegedly committed,"
I wouldn't have interrupted you,
but you just said "committed."
[sniffs] Does that mean, in your mind,
Mr. Dritan Berisha is already guilty?
That my client might as well be silent?
That my client doesn't deserve a trial?
Do you expect us to be party
to a mockery of justice?
[judge 2] Counselor, for God's sake,
let's be serious.
Sir, are you with us?
Look at me, please, look at me.
- Yes.
- May we proceed?
Proceed? Oh, I'm happy to proceed, ma'am.
I'm proceeding, but let me remind you,
the presumption of innocence
is a fundamental legal right, ma'am.
The presumption of innocence is the most
elementary precept of the law.
I therefore ask you to recuse yourself
and postpone these proceedings.
[sniffs]
[Alvaro's girlfriend]
You have to let me in.
[judge 2] Sir, look at me.
Look at me, please.
Your request is denied.
Fine, then I withdraw from the trial.
I refuse to play the clown
in this absurd comedy!
[spectators murmuring]
[suspenseful music playing]
- It's okay, don't worry. [Sniffs]
- Oh, sure.
[elevator chimes]
[judge 1] Mr. Montoya,
if I'm not mistaken, I think I can see
tattoos on your neck and throat.
Can you tell us
what exactly they represent,
and assure us that they have no connection
to Colombian drug cartels?
Pardon me, Your Honor,
but that's quite a question.
This isn't a plot from a television show,
this is reality. [Sniffs]
You don't have permission
to interrupt, Mr. Landry.
Answer the question, please, Mr. Montoya.
The only tattoo I have
is the name of my abuela.
See? Sua abuela, his grandmother.
Pardon me, Your Honor,
your approach here is all wrong.
If you convict this young man,
it'll be a miscarriage of justice,
because you've painted him
as a cartel supervillain
straight out of your imagination,
when he's simply a mule
who was thrown to the wolves
by a gang of drug traffickers
who never considered
that he's a human being.
You're trying to make him culpable,
but this man's the victim
of a criminal conspiracy. [Sniffs]
[door closes]
I have to go for two minutes,
two minutes. Hang on, don't worry.
[judge 1] Counselor, if you leave,
you'll be permanently removed
from the case.
- I'll be right back.
- [elevator chimes]
[judge 2] Ah, Mr. Landry's back. Great.
Have you come to your senses, counselor?
Will you let me proceed now?
Mr. Berisha, is this your attorney?
Are we sure about that?
Uh, yes, we are.
I know what I'm doing, ma'am. So...
Mr. Berisha is my client.
Mr. Berisha, who you accuse today
of smuggling four kilos of cocaine
in his storage unit...
[sniffs then clears throat]
No, uh, four kilos of
- [judge 2] Cocaine?
- What?
- Cocaine.
- Right, uh... No, two and a half kilos.
Four kilos. Please go on.
[tense music playing]
Mr. Alvaro... Mr. Berisha...
- [judge 2] Mr. Alvaro or Berisha?
- Mr. Alvaro.
- Slow down, sir.
- Mr. Berisha.
Yeah. You meant Mr. Berisha, I think.
You seem a little confused.
[music swells]
Mr... Mr. Berisha, yes, who recused the
- [judge 2] What?
- He was twisting the pepper grinder
[muffled] I'm not following.
[Landry muffled] Where were you going
with that? What was your point?
[muffled] Nobody else is talking to you
right now, counselor.
All right? Continue please. And try to be
a little more coherent, if you would.
[ethereal music playing]
[judge 2] Counselor?
Mr. Landry?
[in normal voice] Is something wrong?
[ethereal music continues]
[body thuds]
[spectators gasp]
- [exhales]
- [judge 2] Call emergency services!
The hearing is suspended.
["Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M. playing]
When your day is long
And the night
The night is yours alone
When you're sure you've had enough
Of this life
Hang on
[pen clicking]
Don't let yourself go
'Cause everybody cries
Everybody hurts
Sometimes
- [therapist] Tell them about your dream.
- [woman] Not much to tell.
I mean, it was just a dream, you know?
I was getting high.
- The worst part was it felt great.
- [therapist] Right.
[man] I have dreams like that
all the time. Seriously, it's constant.
So what, does that mean we're not cured?
Oh, no, no, that's completely normal,
that's just the process.
- Lonard, grab a chair. Sit down.
- No, no, it's fine
I just need you to sign
my certificate of stay.
Can it wait a little bit?
I dunno, I've been here for three weeks.
I know we all have our problems,
but you said after three weeks
I'd be clean.
Yeah, so I'm supposed to be done,
plus, uh,
- I have a lot of work to take care of.
- Can we move on?
Well, yes. Physically, you're clean.
That's important.
That's step one.
But the real work begins
when you walk out the door.
So coming to these meetings
really matters for everybody.
It's part of treatment.
It gets tough outside.
Outside? Yeah, I'm aware.
You haven't come to a single meeting here.
[inhales sharply]
I'm not good in groups.
I I can be quite shy.
Are you gonna sign this for me?
[therapist] We'll talk about it later.
We're in the middle of a session.
Who's next? Maybe Julie?
[woman on phone] By right now,
you mean this month?
[Landry] Yeah, well, by right now
I meant more like right now, as in today.
Are you available?
[breathes deeply]
Uh, yeah, yeah, of course.
Okay, great. I'll send you an address
and you can come pick me up.
Pick you up how?
What do you mean, how? You can
drive, right? It says on your resume.
Well, yeah, I have a license,
but I don't have a car. Sorry.
- [man] Hello?
- Yes, Henry No?
Uh, No Henry, sorry.
This is Mr. Landry speaking.
Are you still looking
to intern for an attorney?
- Mr. Landry?
- Correct.
- I sent you my resume three months ago.
- Yeah, well, I'm calling you now.
So, Mr. Henry, are you available?
Uh, yes, of course. I mean,
I just have to sort a few things out.
Okay, that's perfect.
What kind of car do you drive?
- Uh, a Golf.
- Okay, wonderful.
I'll send you an address
and you can come pick me up, okay?
Could you grab some Crocodiles
for me on your way?
Uh, Crocodiles?
Yeah, they're like gummy worms.
Appreciate it. See you soon.
[ambient music playing]
[inhales sharply]
[exhales]
- Morning.
- Hello.
Lonard Landry, nice to meet you.
No Henry. Likewise.
How old are you, No Henry?
Thirty-one, sir.
That's a bit old for an intern.
I put it on my resume.
Oh, right, I might've missed it.
Is your car 31 too? [Chuckles]
Are you sure about the earring?
Should I take it off?
No, no, no, it's fine.
Oh, right, I got the sour ones
and the regular, I wasn't sure.
That's very kind. These are for you.
- [engine starts]
- Let's go, come on.
- Where to, sir?
- Crteil. Main courthouse.
Got a big case?
No. I have a meeting with Judge Lemonnier.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Lonard] Thank you.
Annette?
- No, not again.
- Wait, this time, I have a guarantor.
- Hello there.
- Hello.
- No, Lonard.
- Come on, he's a good boy.
- You remember to bring the robe back?
- Mm-hm.
[suspenseful music playing]
Wait right here.
[music fades]
[inhales sharply]
Hello, good morning, Your Honor.
- [Lemonnier] Hello.
- Am I interrupting?
Yes, but tell me what you want.
[sighs]
Why are you wearing a robe?
I was pleading a few other cases here
and someone said you were in your office.
Thought I'd come and see
about our recent case.
What case?
[sighs softly]
My case, Your Honor.
Ah.
Of course, the Landry case.
So,
I assume you're referring to the case
in which you've been credibly accused
of soliciting, transferring,
possessing, transporting,
and consuming narcotics in Crteil,
specifically a schedule two
controlled substance, namely cocaine.
That case, right?
Correct, that case.
Right, well, you should know
I don't talk to people I'm going to judge.
I'm aware, ma'am, but considering
how long I've worked with you, I'm...
Mr. Landry, you don't work with me.
All right, I'd appreciate it
if you would accept
another document for my case, Your Honor.
It's a signed certificate
of a three-week stay in rehab.
The doctors were very pleased
with my progress.
I'd be happy to provide
blood and urine tests at the hearing
in an effort to prove
that this is all in the past.
And I feel it's important
that I tell you personally, Your Honor,
that I'm going to use the treatment
as a chance to start over,
and that includes my clientele.
Please give your document to the clerk.
See you Monday at the hearing.
Thank you.
[keyboard clacking]
[Lemonnier to herself]
Constitutes a total
I believe I could make you
recuse yourself.
Pardon?
- [door closes]
- Well, think about it.
You saw me that day, right?
I saw you quite clearly, Mr. Landry.
Well then.
Isn't it a problem
to be a judge and a witness?
I'm only a witness
to your downfall, counselor.
- Do you see the difference? Do you?
- Oh, sure, I'm following you.
- But you know, in my view, uh
- Good.
It merits discussion.
- Ah.
- So, okay, I'll speak to my lawyer.
- Your lawyer?
- Yes, my lawyer.
She's my colleague
and president of the bar,
Iris Saint-Didier.
Miss Saint-Didier told me
she has no plans to argue in your defense.
No, that's impossible.
I'm sorry, she wouldn't do that to me.
Just let me call her, we'll clear
this whole thing up in no time.
Great.
[keyboard clacking]
[line dialing]
- You've reached Iris Saint-Didier
- Oh, come on. Must be on a call.
- She'll get back to me soon.
- Oh, too bad. I've got work to do.
Mr. Landry.
Goodbye.
[subdued music playing]
[exhales]
Has your friend at Algarade
been there long?
She's a partner. President of the bar.
Iris Saint-Didier?
You know her?
No, not really,
but I sent her my resume two years ago.
Never heard back.
[clears throat] Well,
back when I was an intern,
I didn't give a fuck
who the president was.
[No] She's basically the boss
of every lawyer out there.
[door closes]
[Lonard] Iris!
- Goddammit.
- Hey.
- Aren't you happy to see me?
- Oh, yeah, just tickled pink.
You can't give up on me now.
I've heard that before.
Look, I'm clean now,
I got out this morning.
I'm gonna need you.
I'm busy with the Varenne hearings
already, what can I say?
Oh, don't give me that crap.
My trial will take ten minutes.
Your reputation's been in tatters
a long time, and not just with me.
I'm telling you I'm clean,
I'm going to fire all my clients.
No more drugs, I'm done.
Lemonnier will disbar me
if you're not on the case.
Why the fuck were you in her office?
- Who said I was?
- Who do you think?
The moment you left, she called me.
You think I don't know why you chose me?
Because I'm not an idiot.
You're president of the bar.
It doesn't matter.
She's gonna crucify you.
Hey, presumption of innocence, right?
When I was defending hotel maids,
nobody treated me like this.
Ten years and it's the same story.
Excuse me.
I'm still a lawyer, aren't I?
How's your daughter?
[sighs]
How old is she now? Three?
Six.
Six? Damn.
I thought about us a lot
when I was in rehab.
- You're a prick, Lonard.
- Hang on...
[bicycle bell dings]
[atmospheric electronic music playing]
VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE AUTHORIZATION
You gonna be long?
What kind of question is that?
[indistinct shouts and whistling]
[door buzzes]
- How are you? [Sniffs]
- [guard] Hello, sir.
- It's been a while.
- Yeah.
- Want the lowdown on the new arrivals?
- No, I'm just here visiting an old client.
[door buzzes]
- I'm here if you change your mind.
- Okay, appreciate it.
[door closes]
[door unlocks]
- Oh.
- What the fuck are you doing here?
- I'm just... No. Relax...
- Thought you were dead.
Dritan, I need
to speak to you for a second.
- [Dritan] Hey guard!
- No.
- This bastard is not my lawyer!
- Give me one second.
You'll never hear from me ever again,
but you're gonna wanna listen.
It's about your case.
Think I'm gonna believe
a junkie fuck stick?
[sighs] Just sit down for a second,
I'll explain.
All month I've been working on this.
There's an error in their procedure.
Mr. Berisha, this could get you out.
And it's all yours. I'm giving it you.
To your new lawyer.
Making up for last time.
[knocking on door]
- [guard] You okay, Mr. Berisha?
- Tell him it's okay.
[grunts softly]
[Dritan sighs]
[Lonard] Okay.
So, look, all I'm asking for
is a small favor.
Have one of your men show up
and testify at my trial next Monday.
One of the guys
who was in court with your cousin.
They just have to say they saw me
getting harassed and beaten up
by two guys between sessions,
and the dudes shoved something
in my pocket, that's it.
You want me to rat out my family?
I wouldn't put you in that position.
Are you crazy?
They just have to say
they saw me get roughed up
by two strangers in the restroom
and we're good.
You've got a lot of nerve
asking me for a favor.
Well, come on Dritan, shoving coke
in my face just before your hearing,
that [scoffs] wasn't smart of you.
[inmates shouting faintly]
Listen to me, you junkie son of a bitch,
if you don't want your fucking head
to be smashed open, you'll walk away.
[ominous music playing]
- [bangs on door]
- [Dritan] Guard!
[door buzzes]
[inmates shouting indistinctly]
[inmate] Hey, Landry! Landry!
You're back and you didn't tell me?
- How are you, Caleb?
- Hey, wait, wait, wait.
- Two seconds. Come here.
- [guard] Sir, are you coming?
Yeah, hang on.
Good to see you.
You're looking handsome, man.
- Thanks.
- Gonna work some magic for us?
- I'm not sure, but...
- "I'm not sure" doesn't cut it.
Who's the client here?
- You are.
- Exactly. And the client is what?
The client is what?
Always right.
- [guard] Everything okay?
- I'm fine.
Yeah, we're good.
Go to the clerk's office,
you'll find my appeal statement.
- Impossible. I told you.
- I'll send Suleiman after you.
Go ahead, I'll tell him what I told you.
Appeals are electronic now, man.
Those days are over. See you.
Wait, wait, wait, wait. Hey!
Get me some S-Curl!
- What?
- S-Curl, for my roots!
- Right.
- Talk to my little brother Firmin,
- he's in trouble back home!
- I can work miracles, but not Africa.
He'll call you up,
just answer the phone. Landry!
- Hey, he'll call you. Just pick up.
- Come on, stop it, Caleb.
[Lonard] Yeah, hi, buddy, how are you?
- [man on phone] Not too bad, you?
- I'm just dandy.
Hey, man,
so what are you doing next Monday?
- Next Monday, I'm not sure.
- Great, I have a case just for you.
- Oh, yeah? Whose case?
- It's mine. [Chuckles]
- Where is it?
- In Crteil.
- Oh, I don't know, Lemonnier is tricky.
- Come on, are you kidding? She loves you.
I wouldn't say she loves me.
Not since the Romano case.
- Okay. No big deal.
- But I can find you someone.
No, forget it, I'll be fine. It's okay.
- You sure?
- It's all good.
Moron.
- [exhales]
- [phone ringing]
What the...
- Plus 243, what is that?
- [No] Probably a scam.
Or, it's Caleb's brother.
Man, these guys are annoying.
Pick up and get rid of him for me,
say whatever you want.
- But we've never spoken before.
- That makes two of us.
Uh, hello, my name's Firmin Draza,
Caleb Draza's brother. Are you Mr. Landry?
Uh, well, I'm not, no, but, uh,
Mr. Landry happens to be busy,
but I'll take a message if you want.
Well, the court's trying to call me
as a witness
- for an upcoming trial in Kolwezi.
- All right.
- How can we be of service?
- I don't operate in Africa.
Upon further reflection, I'm afraid
Mr. Landry doesn't practice in Africa.
I thought Caleb said this guy was good.
Waste of time.
- [man] Hang on, just relax.
- [Firmin] We're wasting our time.
[man] Give me a second here.
Sir, Caleb said you could help us.
- I'm sorry, he must have misunderstood.
- [Firmin] Forget it.
An NGO is trying to use
my son to go after a company in France.
But he doesn't want to be
involved in this.
Ask which company.
Uh, which company is that, sir?
The company Firmin worked for, Varenne.
Varenne?
Hi, how are you, sir? I'm Mr. Landry.
Pardon me, I was busy.
I have an assistant
who's a bit overzealous.
Do you mind putting your son
back on the phone?
- Okay.
- Thank you.
Hello, Firmin, it's Mr. Landry.
When you say Varenne,
you mean the energy corporation in France?
You worked for them, correct?
I worked the counter and the pump
at a gas station
right by their new lithium mine.
And the NGO wants you to say what?
Uh, Varenne is complicit with terrorists,
is that it?
I'm not involved with that stuff at all,
I didn't do anything.
It's okay, we won't push you
to say anything untrue.
I'm just here to help you.
It's all about trust.
You said you don't work in Africa?
Look, Firmin, I've worked everywhere,
don't worry.
I've spent 20 years as an attorney,
and from now on,
I'm gonna be your attorney.
Don't speak to anybody except me,
is that clear?
Yeah, clear.
And Firmin, don't move a muscle
till I call you back, hm?
I'm grateful for your trust.
Uh, go back to Algarade.
[receptionist] Yes.
We can get that sorted for you.
[suspenseful music playing]
[receptionist] Um, sir?
- Excuse me.
- Counsel.
- [receptionist] Where are you going?
- To an appointment.
MEETING IN PROGRESS
Please excuse my interruption.
Hello, everyone.
- Do you have a minute?
- What's wrong with you?
We're obviously in a meeting, Lonard.
- I know, that's why I'm here.
- I'm sorry.
- What do you want?
- I just found Firmin Draza.
[man] Found who?
Apologies.
What the hell?
That's the CEO of Varenne.
Of course, I'm well aware. He should be
very interested in Firmin Draza.
Why don't I go in and ask your crew?
- What do you know?
- None of your business.
What do you want?
The NGO's been pressuring Firmin
to expose Varenne in Africa.
- So what?
- So I'm Firmin's lawyer.
So I have his trust.
If things go according to plan,
he'll do what I say,
and that could be perfect for your client.
- [security] You need help?
- No, it's fine.
Basically, I get Firmin to help you
with your case, then you help with mine.
- After that, I swear I'll disappear.
- That's a tempting proposition.
Do me a favor.
Stay in your place.
[keypad beeps, door opens]
[door closes]
- [ambient music playing]
- [man whistling]
- [No] What's the plan, sir?
- Take me home, please.
- Ten Jean Goujon Street.
- Isn't that your office address?
Yeah, well, it's also my home address.
[laughter]
[indistinct chatter and laughter]
[reflective music playing]
Tomorrow, 8 a.m. sharp, hm?
- Be on time.
- No.
[No clears throat]
What do you mean?
Sorry, sir, but I'm quitting as of
right now. I'm not coming tomorrow.
- What's the problem?
- No problem.
It's just that, you know,
I'm not a driver.
And I don't mind driving you
here and there, but like,
this isn't exactly
the internship I was looking for.
Okay, so what's the goal?
Where do you dream of interning?
[No sighs]
- I don't know.
- You should have some idea, probably.
Especially at your age.
I know where I don't wanna be.
Oh, really? Tell me, I'm interested.
Go on, I'm waiting.
Are you still a lawyer?
[inhales] See this? What does this
look like? It's a robe, you idiot.
This was not a normal day.
I might not be a lawyer yet, okay,
but you should know,
I'm not stupid, Mr. Landry.
What do you think? Nobody knows?
Everyone knows.
- There are posts on every site.
- Hm.
- Everybody at school talks about it.
- Well, I didn't force you to come.
Well, yeah, that's for sure, I mean
Because big firms weren't exactly
pounding down my door.
Nobody responds to my phone calls.
I can't waste time being your chauffeur.
Okay, whatever. Nice knowing you, No.
Goodnight. Drive safe.
Goodbye.
[Lonard sighs]
[ambient music playing]
Oh, come on.
Damn it, I think I lost my keys.
They're not in my coat.
- You're missing your keys?
- Yeah.
Oh, fuck me.
[sighs]
Can I stay at your place tonight?
You wanna stay at
It wouldn't, um, bother me, it's just my
I still live with my parents, and...
- All right, I see.
- If I could...
No, it's okay, forget it.
- Sorry.
- No, no, no. No problem.
[door closes]
[reflective music playing]
Wait!
They're on vacation!
What was that?
My parents. They're on vacation.
[door opens]
Here we are.
I'll let you get settled.
I'll be right back.
You grew up here?
Yeah, I've lived here my whole life.
My parents run
the dry cleaners downstairs.
[chuckles]
That's funny, because I was raised
right above my mom's caf.
Guess we have two things in common.
What's the second one?
Well, we picked the same profession.
Hm.
Uh, you can have the couch.
I'll leave this here for you.
Um
- Sleep well.
- Night.
[door closes]
[reporter] The Varenne Group
is one of the France's industrial giants.
Much of their infrastructure
is located in eastern Congo,
and is used to extract lithium
from mines in the village of Kolwezi.
In 2021, the region
became particularly unstable.
And it was at this time,
according to the Horizon 360 NGO report,
that Varenne allegedly made a secret deal
with one of the many
armed groups in the region.
In exchange for their protection,
Varenne allegedly supported
this group of rebels
with arms and financial contributions.
According to the NGO,
the rebels are responsible
for several mass atrocities,
notably in the village of Ekoto,
which they allegedly reached
after refueling their pickup trucks
at Varenne gas pumps.
The NGO is now taking legal action,
suing the president of the Varenne Group,
Anne Lamarck,
for complicity in war crimes.
[liquid pouring]
[No] Is everything okay?
[sighs]
Have you ever been drunk, No Henry?
Yeah.
Bet you take an aspirin,
sleep a little, then it's over.
If I drink this glass,
I won't be able to stop.
I'll be on the phone with my dealer,
and then I won't sleep for 48 hours.
Vodka with pepper.
Three twists of the mill,
that was my favorite drink.
If I drink this,
in six months, I'll be dead.
[somber music playing]
[birds singing]
[sighs]
Morning.
Morning.
Hope you don't mind seeing your boss
in his underwear.
Well, your former boss.
- Want a coffee?
- That'd be great. Thanks.
- Short or long?
- Uh, long.
Please.
Here, this is for the bottles
I tossed last night. Sorry.
Thanks, that's nice of you.
[coffee maker whirring]
[coffee dripping]
I saw that you reposted
your internship application.
Mm.
Well, you're in luck
because your resume caught my attention.
I'm told you have a car.
Yeah. A Golf.
- I'm not big on Golfs.
- Comes with Crocodiles.
Well, in that case, I'll make an exception
and take you on. You're hired.
On one condition.
That you help me stay a lawyer.
Hello everyone, we're coming to you live
on the first day of Anne Lamarck's trial.
We'll be following it closely,
as Miss Lamarck is CEO
[No] I'm coming now,
I'm entering to the lobby.
[reporter] An organization called Horizon
is a civil party in this trial.
- Is she here?
- [reporter] They arrived,
and they're waiting for answers.
- Let's hear from their spokesperson
- [No] No.
Oh, I see you.
Okay, go in to your left,
that's the large court.
[suspenseful music playing]
- [No] Uh
- [Lonard] So?
- Nope, not here.
- You sure?
Yeah, she's not here.
[reporter 2] Excuse me, Miss Lamarck?
Wait, something's happening outside.
Get out, get out. Hurry.
On your right, on your right.
[reporter 2] Miss Lamarck!
Miss Lamarck, just one question, please!
- [reporters clamoring]
- [shutters clicking]
Okay, I see her now. What's next?
- What do I do?
- Is she with Iris?
- Yeah.
- Okay, so, just block...
Block Iris's view,
she can't know I'm here yet.
- [No] Okay.
- [reporter 3] Ma'am, please
- What do I tell her?
- Whatever you want, just slow her down.
Okay, great, I'm on it.
[suspenseful music continues]
[No] Miss Lamarck, excuse me.
[clamoring continues]
Hello, Miss Lamarck, I'm Mr. Landry.
Funnily enough, I'm the lawyer
of an ex-employee of yours in Congo.
He had disappeared until recently.
Are you sure this is the best time
to talk about this?
Well, yes, because his testimony
could be important to your case.
Then speak to my lawyers.
Miss Saint-Didier never told you about it?
That surprises me.
- Why are you here?
- I'm still a lawyer, aren't I?
[indistinct chatter]
The wheels are in motion, No.
Let's get to work, my friend. [Chuckles]
[Lonard sighs]
Call me when it's done.
- Thanks, No.
- [keys jangle]
[Lonard sighs]
- [ambient music playing]
- [buzzes]
Hello Firmin,
it's Mr. Landry, good morning.
All right, so, I personally spoke
to Miss Anne Lamarck.
We'll find a solution that works
for everybody, especially you.
Sound good?
Call me any time, all right?
I'll be available whenever you need me.
[phone rings]
- Hey, so did you find it?
- [No] No, there's nothing here.
Not seeing anything.
Oh.
- Think I found it.
- Okay, great, thank you.
[hopeful music playing]
[shutters opening]
It should be completely clean.
Okay.
[window closes]
Let's go to my office.
It'll be easier that way.
Follow me.
All right, have a seat. And pull together
some research on the Varenne case.
Okay? Jeune Afrique, RFI,
Le Monde diplomatique, Twitter.
Just whatever you can find.
Okay.
KOLWEZI UNDER PRESSURE:
VIOLENCE STRIKES
ARMED VIOLENCE NEAR KOLWEZI:
A VILLAGE PLUNGED INTO CHAOS
[vacuum cleaner whirring]
[phone ringing]
- Yeah?
- [Iris] Crazy son of a bitch,
I just got out of the hearing.
Lamarck is completely freaking out.
She says some lawyer hassled her
- about a miracle witness.
- Psst.
And now she's all over me about it.
Seriously, who does that?
- Hello?
- Well, hello there.
Yeah, I warned you, Iris.
You need me as much as I need you.
All right, we're all going over
to Varenne tower, meet us there.
[Lonard] Come on, let's get going.
[suspenseful music playing]
- [receptionist] Good afternoon, gentlemen.
- Hello, Mr. Landry.
- I have a meeting with Anne Lamarck.
- Just a second, please.
[beeping]
Yes, Mr. Landry
and his associate are here.
You can take a seat over there,
- we'll come get you.
- Thank you.
Oh, if Firmin calls, step out
of the meeting and pick up. Reassure him.
Let him know I'm in a meeting,
- but say I'm working hard on his behalf.
- Okay.
[suspenseful music continues]
[keypad beeps]
[Anne] Ah, my savior has arrived.
Mr. Landry.
Landry. [Chuckles]
Why don't I fill you in
on my present situation.
As I'm sure you know,
I have the best lawyers in the world.
And they told me things would go smoothly
if the judge heard me testify
as a witness.
Now I'm being charged with a crime
I know nothing about and can't explain.
All that for the modest sum of
How much, Lambert? What's our tab
with our friends at Algarade?
About 400,000, Madam Chairwoman.
How fabulous for you.
What do you propose, then?
Miss Lamarck,
I believe you should start from zero
and reorient your defense strategy.
You've got our attention.
All right.
There's a witness I know personally.
His name is Firmin Draza.
He was an employee at the gas station,
but he saw all of it.
But the NGO wants him
to testify against you.
His decision could tip the balance
of the entire lawsuit.
And what is his view?
He says
Firmin Draza affirms,
he mentioned this earlier
when we spoke on the phone,
that the terrorists were very threatening.
They were... They were clearly
endangering the employees.
He said the staff was terrified
and had no choice but to cooperate.
So, what I recommend
is that you immediately request
the suspension
of your current indictment in France,
and petition to be summoned by the judge
in the African trial,
which takes place in two days.
Okay, what's your opinion?
Well, if the testimony
of Firmin Draza is favorable,
it could change the course
of the trial there,
and exonerate you back here,
that's correct.
[attorney] Can we have the witness's info?
- No, he only wants to talk to me.
- Of course.
Let me remind you, you fired him.
- Where is he?
- In Kolwezi.
Perfect, time to get to work.
All right, what do you want?
[Lonard] To join the defense team.
Ten percent of the primary fee
you're charging for the case,
plus a nice big expense budget
for my intern. The guy loves silk suits.
And last but not least, Iris,
I'd like you to defend me at my trial.
- [Iris] You proud of yourself?
- [Lonard] Why would I be?
[Iris] Because I know you.
You have time for a coffee?
I don't have time for a coffee, no.
Do you have time for dinner?
No, tonight I have to forget
to tell my boyfriend I'm defending you.
See you around.
I'll let you contact Lemonnier,
maybe you could feel her out.
Did he call?
[dialing]
- [Firmin] Hello?
- Morning, Firmin. It's Mr. Landry,
I'm not harassing you, I swear.
Uh, look,
so I have some great news for you.
- Your testimony...
- I changed my mind,
I don't want to testify anymore.
What do you mean, why?
Because you work for Varenne.
No, no, no, no, hang on. No, no,
I don't work for Varenne, I work for you,
uh, via Varenne.
Listen, I don't want
anything to do with them.
All right, Firmin, I know the way
they treated you was horrible.
Your testimony can change things.
We're gonna ask for compensation,
we're gonna make them pay.
I've already made up my mind, Mr. Landry.
Firmin, we'll be able to negotiate
an incredible deal.
How's that sound?
You will be handsomely rewarded
for your loyalty to the company, trust me.
That's not the point, though.
Firmin, you have the chance
to be able to protect your family forever.
My mind's made up,
- I appreciate everything you've done.
- No. No.
No, no, no, no,
hang on, Firmin, just wait.
- [hangs up]
- Fuck!
- [brakes squeak]
- [raindrops pattering]
[suspenseful music playing]
- Morning, sir.
- [guard] Hello.
- Morning.
- Hello.
- [Lonard] Here you go.
- Open that for me, if you don't mind.
- [No] Sure.
- [guard] What's that?
Just some gel.
- May I?
- Yeah.
All good?
[suspenseful music continues]
[door opens]
- Who's this guy?
- He's my intern.
He has a gift for you.
No.
[Caleb sighs then clears throat]
[sniffs]
So, what do you want?
- What do you mean?
- Just helping out with the braids, huh?
Well, look, I...
I talked to your brother on the phone.
And I can help him
get him out of the shit he's in.
But, uh, now he claims
he's changing his mind.
And I told him I could get
a hefty sum from his former employer.
So could you please talk to him?
Yeah.
What'll you do for me in exchange?
What? Do for you... You... I mean.
We're talking about
an enormous chunk of cash.
- Right.
- The whole family is gonna benefit.
Sure. I'm asking you what you can do
for me, not my brother.
Yeah, but there are things
I used to do for you that
That are off limits now. Out of bounds.
'Cause I have
I have problems. Okay?
And, uh, not by...
It's not by choice.
I just... I can't do that anymore.
[inmates shouting faintly]
Hey. Caleb, hang on. Just...
Just stop, stop, stop, stop. Come on.
Please, man. What do you want? Tell me.
A guy got arrested, 18th precinct.
One of your guys?
They got him locked up right now.
Tanush Gashi. The fuck are you doing?
Taking notes, it's just
a part of the internship, you know?
Stop writing everything down, will you?
It's driving me up the wall.
Your nose shouldn't be stuck
in that notebook.
Just look around you.
That's how you learn.
So, Tanush Gashi, he's one of your guys?
He works for Berisha.
- [scoffs] Berisha?
- Yeah.
You want me dead, or what?
It's your decision.
[scoffs]
[Lonard sighs]
Tanush Gashi?
What kind of name is that?
- Write it down, I won't remember it.
- You mind?
We being watched?
No, you're good.
[Caleb] Get a hold of his phone.
And call me at this number.
Are you out of your mind, man?
By now it's gotta be sealed,
that's impossible.
Not my problem, sorry.
Make it happen.
Get the phone.
I'll talk to my brother.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Lonard] Yes, Gashi. Tanush Gashi.
I'm his lawyer.
[officer] No, I'm sorry, sir,
he already asked for a public defender.
No, tell him no.
He'll be showing up for nothing.
Can you please call that public defender
and let him know he can stay home tonight?
- [incoming call alert]
- Okay, I'll pass it on.
I appreciate it, thanks, on my way.
NO CALLER ID
- Yes?
- Mr. Landry, Anne Lamarck.
Hello.
We need to talk.
I can hear you.
Not on the phone.
Laurent's, 7 p.m.
Laurent's, okay. Seven o'clock.
Who's Laurent?
It's not a person, it's a restaurant.
Ah. So we're not going
to the precinct first?
Are you sure?
Yeah, Tanush will be held for 48 hours,
he's not going anywhere.
I'm gonna need your help.
[No] Okay.
[suspenseful music playing]
- Good evening.
- Thank you.
What do we do? Sit down?
No, no, no, we stay standing
and keep quiet.
[opera music playing over speakers]
Go ahead, please, sit down.
[door closes]
I've been downstairs before,
but, uh, I've never eaten
in the small dining room.
It's gorgeous.
Do you know what I call
this kind of dinner?
A high-security banquet.
Nobody asked for a password on arrival.
Well, that's not really
what I'm getting at.
What we discuss in this room stays here.
[bell rings faintly]
[door opens]
Here we are.
[sniffs]
Mm, distinct attack.
Thanks, that's plenty.
[champagne pouring]
You're getting notes of brioche as well?
[opera music continues]
[sniffs]
Ah, yeah.
[exhales]
[Lonard clears throat]
So, is this witness ready to speak?
Of course, I talked to him on the phone
maybe an hour ago.
[Anne] What can we do to help you?
I'll have to admit he was upset
about being fired
after everything that happened.
[Anne] I see, and in the event
that everything goes well,
would he be amenable
to working for the group again?
[Lonard] I'd imagine he would.
That and other, uh
Assurances.
[Anne] Let's stop tiptoeing around it,
shall we? 100,000.
How about it?
[sighs] Firmin has a huge family.
So, I was told that you're known
as a bad egg.
Yes, well, that's not
a complete fabrication. Thanks.
No doubt, in any case, you're a better egg
than I am. That's true.
But for how much longer?
Why should I trust you, Landry?
Because you have no choice.
You won't hold it against me
that I looked into you?
No, it would have shocked me
if you hadn't.
I'm just gonna
[exhales]
Thank you very much.
[chuckles]
He's adorable.
Very smart.
Hope you know you're not his intern.
Yes, I... Yes, I am his intern. Why?
Lambert, what was the name
of the guy we hired for my son again?
Stanley.
Stanley, that's him.
And what's his job title?
- "Mr. Clean."
- "Mr. Clean."
Isn't that clever? "Mr. Clean."
Someone who keeps you from using.
Genius idea.
A buddy system for drug addicts.
A hundred and fifty.
No, I'm fine, thank you.
Oh, no, please, you should, No.
Not every day you get to drink
a rare champagne.
That's true.
Just half a pour. [Clears throat]
- Two hundred thousand.
- [champagne pouring]
[opera music intensifies]
[song fades]
What a bunch of pigs, huh?
They're drinking expensive champagne
while collaborating with terrorists.
Says the guy who was more than happy
to sample every bottle.
Wait, but come on, you're not about
to betray an innocent man?
- I'm saving him, I'm doing my job.
- By selling his soul to the devil?
Do you really not understand
what being a lawyer is about?
- Ugh, fine, explain it to me.
- Caleb.
Anne Lamarck.
You don't judge. You just mount a defense.
The truth is only part of the story.
It's about what the court sees.
Do you know what I mean?
Did this not come up in class?
Yeah, I understand.
Honesty when it suits us.
Should've gone to med school.
- Ah, come on, grow up, stop whining.
- Yeah, yeah
Is your phone backed up, No?
- Yeah. I think so.
- All right.
Uh, reset it, if you don't mind.
Wait, why?
I'll explain in a bit.
I'm telling you, I'm his lawyer.
I told the public defender
he could sit this one out. [Sighs]
- [officer] End of the hall, on the right.
- All right, thanks.
[suspenseful music playing]
- Hello.
- [man] Well, yes
I'm Tanush's lawyer, good evening.
Apologies for the delay. Hi there.
If you don't mind,
I'll take over from here.
- Who
- Wait, hold on.
- I don't understand.
- Who is the lawyer for Mr. Gashi?
- Me, obviously.
- I am, sir.
Mr. Landry, the family's counsel. My card.
- This is Mr. Henry, my associate.
- Pleasure.
[softly] Dritan sent me.
- I'm confused, is...
- [Lonard] What's confusing here?
Well, why wasn't I informed?
- That's what I'm doing right now.
- So I drove here for nothing.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
How about I show you out?
[No] Get home safe, sir.
[man sighs]
[Lonard] Thanks, sorry.
You know your way?
- Sorry again. I know.
- I'm contacting the president
- of the bar.
- Please do, sir.
- We're buddies. Say hello.
- I will.
- Sure.
- Bye, be safe.
So, how we doing?
Get much off that phone?
- Oh, the phone?
- [Lonard] Yeah.
[officer] Speaking of the phone
Man, with all this dope,
I don't even remember where I put it.
[officer clears throat]
Your client refuses to give us the code.
Here you go.
Maybe you can talk some sense into him?
"He refuses." What if he just forgot?
I'm sure that's happened to you.
[officer] Nope, never. Excuse me.
Stand in front of me, please.
- Sure, of course.
- Right here.
- Yeah, of course.
- No, please. Come over here.
You mind if I...? I know you can't do this,
but I'm gonna move this along.
Let's cooperate, shall we?
- All right? Got it.
- [clicks]
- [Lonard ] There. It's unlocked.
- Shit. Damn it, sorry.
- What did I tell you? Get back over there.
- Jesus, I'm sorry. It's my fault.
- [officer] Gotta be kidding.
- Help him.
Stop, I'd prefer you step back, please.
- Stand there. Please don't move.
- [Lonard] Understood.
- [No] Sorry about that.
- [Lonard ] There.
- [No] I'm so clumsy.
- [officer] Thank you.
All done. Yep, the screen is up now.
No pesky paperwork.
And plus, my client can't be blamed now
for refusing to give you his code.
Let's see what we've got. [Sighs]
I won't be present for your hearing
because I've got another client,
but I'll see you tomorrow. Okay?
You'll be all right, Tanush.
- Thank you, gentlemen. Take care.
- Goodnight.
Wait, your phone
is completely empty, what the...
- What the hell is this?
- Goodnight.
[suspenseful music playing]
Wait, why are you... Why bother with that?
Switch off the automatic sleep mode.
- You know how to do that?
- Uh, yeah.
- You sure you're up for that?
- Of course.
- You sure?
- Yes.
Careful, if the screen
goes to sleep again, we're done for.
Right.
[dialing]
- Hey.
- Yeah, Caleb.
- Lonard Landry, we've got the phone.
- See Suleiman, he's waiting at the Cova.
- Where's that? The Cova?
- It's on the Champs.
- Yeah.
- Okay, we're leaving now.
-It's unlocked? Okay.
-Yep.
So I'm not gonna get my phone back, am I?
So, you buy yourself a new one
and send the bill to Algarade.
[scoffs]
["Pangor (swalalala)"
by Djaksparo playing]
We're here to see Suleiman.
- Gentlemen, ladies
- The big shark.
Give it, come on.
[song continues]
Go ahead, get all his contacts.
[man] Bro, it's a goddamn gold mine.
It's Berisha's whole fucking client list.
[laughing]
Please tell Caleb about this?
He owes me a really big favor now.
Ah, you gotta tell me how the fuck
you got this, make yourself comfortable.
Ahh!
- A magician never reveals his secrets.
- Damn, you're a real one.
Try some of my cognac.
Here you go, Mr. Magician.
Thank you.
I was parched.
Very good. [Laughs nervously]
Um, sorry, uh, but if you're able
to get my phone back at some point,
that'd be awesome.
[all laughing]
All right, man, laugh all you want,
but this kid's gonna be
a rock-star lawyer.
This is it, guys.
We're burning Berisha.
Monopoly. Monopoly. Monopoly. Monopoly.
Monopoly. Monopoly.
- Monopoly. Monopoly.
- Hell, yeah!
It's our secret, okay?
Don't worry,
we're in this together, brother!
- Please tell Caleb, will you do that?
- Yo, yeah, relax, I got it.
Kick back, man.
Let's get out the goods, guys.
[breathes deeply]
Try it, this stuff is fire.
Not that dog shit Berisha's
dumbass's been pushing. [Laughs]
There you go, there you go
Yeah, some of that. [Laughing]
[ominous music playing]
- [ominous music ends]
- ["Agita" by Gabriel Garzn-Montano]
- [man] You out of your fucking mind?
- Hey, hey, he just sneezed, relax.
It's a sinus infection,
and he's hammered, I'm sorry.
I apologize for that.
Well, friends, hate to cut this short,
but it's been a long night.
Right? Let's, uh
Yeah get going, you goofy pricks.
- Don't forget to tell Caleb!
- [man] Get out of here!
[sniffing]
[song continues]
["Love Is The Drug" by Roxy Music playing]
[song continues]
[song ends]
[Lonard] Whoa! Are you okay?
[groans]
[burps then exhales]
Uh, where are we?
Right outside my place.
Well, my office.
Why?
Because, you'll never make home like this.
You're too messed up.
- [exhales slowly]
- What?
Don't bullshit me, bro.
[clicks tongue]
What are you saying?
There's another reason, like
you don't wanna be alone?
Okay, get out. That's crazy.
- Stop being clever. Get out.
- Is it hard for you to admit?
- No, nothing to admit. Get out.
- [laughs]
- Hey.
- Yeah?
- If something's bothering you
- Yeah.
just tell me about it.
Okay, thank you for that, come on.
[chuckles]
Are you struggling right now?
No, clearly you're the one struggling.
- Hey!
- What.
- Oh, man.
- [laughs]
You're a great dancer.
Yeah, go ahead, get it out. Come on.
- Let's go.
- [laughing]
The keys.
Right here, right here.
Hey, hey, hey.
- Wait.
- Hey, we're good. We're good.
All right. Sorry.
Try not to embarrass me,
it's a nice neighborhood.
Watch it.
Right.
- [buzzes]
- [door closes]
It's... It's actually common,
a fear of, well, being by yourself.
Some people can't do it for one second.
[sighs]
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
[laughs drunkenly]
My thing is, it's kind of the reverse.
So, like, when...
When I feel down, or things are shitty,
I make a point to avoid people.
- Really?
- Really. I don't wanna see anyone.
Take the couch,
you'll be more comfortable.
[No] Really. Not a soul.
I mean, that actually happened, um
Uh, better part of a year
I spent lying in my bed,
couldn't go to school and
I refused to leave my room.
That's why I'm behind and all
'cause I had to delay college.
I wanted to be alone.
Yeah.
[phone buzzing]
It's him.
Hi, Firmin. Hope you're doing okay.
- I'm fine, thank you.
- Good, what can I do for you?
I talked to Caleb.
I'm on board with you helping me.
[dramatic music playing]
Hello?
Okay, that's great, Firmin.
That's wonderful.
You know what? I'm gonna
come see you in person in Kolwezi.
That way we can get on the same page.
How's that sound?
- Uh, fine, but the trial is in two days.
- One sec.
No, do you have your passport on you?
- No?
- [snoring]
- [clicks fingers]
- [continues snoring]
How many drinks did I have?
Six?
It's amazing that you could stand this.
I'm sorry.
Well, that was the problem right there.
If I'd been less resilient,
it would've been easier.
When you first called me about the job,
I wasn't happy just because
you were the only person
who didn't care about my age.
I watched you argue in court a while back.
Hm? When was that?
Ten years ago.
It was my first year of school.
The Ritz Hotel maids case.
- Long time ago.
- You remember?
Yeah, back when I was on a winning streak.
All downhill from there.
Honestly, you were excellent.
All of us were amazed. It was great.
- Now I'm over the hill, huh? [Chuckles]
- No, that's not what I said at all.
- Your best days are still ahead of you.
- Wow, I appreciate it.
Hi, there. Would you like champagne?
[woman] Oh, no, thank you.
- [stewardess] Sir.
- Sorry.
[stewardess] Sir, would you like one?
[tense music playing]
[suspenseful music playing]
[man] Where you going?
[suspenseful music continues]
- Hello.
- How are you?
- Morning. Hello.
- Hello.
Please, this way.
I'll wait for you here.
This is the last picture I have of Caleb
before he went to Europe.
- [baby cooing]
- [Lonard] He's really cute.
- I have a lot of respect for your son.
- Ah, we just talked on the phone.
My son tells me you're a very good person.
Make yourself at home.
- [Lonard] Thank you, Mrs. Draza.
- Here he is.
With all this going on,
he hasn't seen anyone in a long time.
Firmin. Here we are, finally.
Hello, sir.
No, call me Lonard.
Uh, meet No, he works with me.
- How are you, Mr. Draza.
- Pleasure.
[baby cooing]
[Firmin clears throat]
Sorry, would you give us the room?
- Just for a few minutes.
- [Mrs. Draza] One second.
I'm curious, how do you think
the trial will go tomorrow?
The government and the NGO
won't attack my son, will they?
No, don't worry about it, it'll be fine.
We'll prove that Firmin is innocent
and that he made the right decision.
And we'll also prove beyond a doubt
that neither he nor the company
were implicated in the massacre.
[Mrs. Draza] Mm-hm.
But... But, sir,
I did see the massacre.
I saw them do it.
The terrorists are at home
around that mine.
Varenne pours money on them
to keep the site running.
Varenne knew damn well
what the terrorists were doing.
The whole world knew.
- Step back. Slow down.
- Keep your voice down. It's okay.
- They're just trying to help you, okay?
- [baby crying]
Look, from my point of view,
you're just a pawn in this whole thing.
The NGO's using you
to fight their battles for them,
so I'd think about what's best
for you and your family.
With your testimony,
you'll prove yourself innocent,
and it's over.
Plus I've negotiated
very good compensation from Varenne.
Could you hand me your notepad?
Do you... Do you have your notepad or not?
Thank you.
So, Firmin, tomorrow,
all you have to say is that a group
of extremely threatening armed fighters
ordered you to fill them up,
and they gave you no choice,
you had to obey them.
Nothing more.
[sighs] Why should I help
exonerate the company?
No, no, no, you're exonerating yourself.
[sighs]
Okay, Firmin, I'm not here
to force you into something. Hm?
It's your decision.
[Mr. Draza] Two hundred thousand euros
is about 500 million Congolese francs.
Mm. 500 million.
With that amount of money
you could buy any future you want.
But this is your decision, Firmin.
[breathes deeply]
All right.
What do we do about the video though?
What video?
The video the NGO people posted.
What do we do about that?
[tense music playing]
[suspenseful music playing]
[mouse clicks]
[suspenseful music continues]
[keyboard clicks]
[sighs]
When did they post it?
Two hours ago.
[suspenseful music resumes]
[music intensifies]
[Lonard] What do we do? It contradicts
what he's supposed to say tomorrow.
[Iris] I'm defending you
even though you had 20 grams
under your robe, right?
Do what I'm gonna do. Figure it out.
Varenne had to know about
the damn video, it's theirs.
I found out when you did.
Yeah, right.
How am I gonna straighten this one out?
I'm not the one over there, Lonard,
you are.
So find a solution, and fast.
[sighs]
[suspenseful music playing]
[music fades]
[Lonard] So the rebels
came in this way, right?
Right.
Okay.
So where are the cameras?
There's one here. Another one over there.
By the light.
Got it.
And so the guy from Varenne
took you over
- this way?
- [Firmin] Yep. Why?
[electrical buzzing]
When's the hearing start tomorrow?
[crowd clamoring]
I'm sorry, excuse us.
KOLWEZI COURTHOUSE
[soft murmuring]
[crowd exclaims and shouts indistinctly]
Mr. Draza, according to the footage
we just saw,
you filled up the pickup truck
on the orders of a Varenne employee.
Is that what happened?
Uh, yes.
After that, you saw the pickup drive away,
and then take the road
to the village of Ekoto?
Yes.
[crowd clamoring]
- Twenty minutes later
- [judge] Silence.
the defendants reached Ekoto,
and a massacre occurred.
Madam Clerk, if you would.
[shocked exclamations]
[woman] Murderer! My God, look at that.
He's a criminal!
- He'll say anything.
- [judge] Excuse me.
- Sit down. Please, ma'am.
- He'll lie through his teeth.
[judge] I need you to compose yourself.
- This is outrageous!
- [clamoring]
- [gavel banging]
- [judge] Compose yourself.
[clamoring dies down]
Your Honor, I have no further questions.
Very well. Are there any further questions
from the defense?
[lawyer] Not at this time, Your Honor.
[judge] Thank you, Mr. Draza.
Uh, Your Honor,
may I say something to the court?
[judge] Yes.
Uh, some other elements
were mentioned during questioning.
They're important to help people
understand what happened.
So, may I present them?
[judge] We're listening.
Well, I made a video.
- That might help explain my story.
- [crowd clamoring]
- New evidence should be reviewed.
- [gavel bangs]
- [judge] Silence!
- You should provide that in advance.
- [judge] The court will come to order!
- [lawyer] You can't just bring it out.
- Both of you, be quiet. I insist.
- [Firmin] This is an exception.
[judge] Bailiff, please proceed.
[Firmin] Thank you, Your Honor.
Earlier this morning, I went back
to the mine site with my cell phone
because I wanted to show
what happened to me that morning.
The morning of the massacre.
When the rebels arrived,
they were very threatening.
And my site boss, he knew that
if we refused the demands of the rebels,
the personnel there were gonna suffer.
He knew exactly what was coming,
and he formed a plan
that only I could help carry out.
- [crowd resumes clamoring]
- [judge] All right!
- [gavel banging]
- [judge] Silence! Be quiet!
Silence or I will clear the courtroom.
[Firmin] Your Honor, in the video here,
you can see that there's one camera
next to the pump
and another camera a little further back.
When the rebels' pickup trucks arrived,
I was supposed to go and fill them.
The men were pushing me around,
and I refused in the beginning.
- And the boss came and...
- [man] That's a lie! You're lying!
The site boss came and...
He came over to me
and brought me to the back of the station.
- [man 2] That's not true!
- [indistinct shouting]
[gavel banging]
- [judge] Silence!
- [clamoring dies down]
[Firmin] When we got here,
there was no camera in the back.
And the rebels couldn't see us
because we were in a blind spot.
And then my site boss took me over,
over to those reserve tanks
right there and...
And told me to close the diesel tank
and open the gas tank.
[clamoring]
- [judge] Order! Quiet!
- [Firmin] That's the diesel.
- Silence!
- [Firmin] So I turned it off.
Then he told me to go to the gas one,
which is in the middle.
That's it right there.
He told me to turn it on.
- That was the... It was...
- [judge] Order!
- [Firmin] Your Honor
- [judge] That's enough!
- [Firmin] Your Honor. Please, sir.
- [gavel banging]
[judge] Quiet down
or I will clear the room.
My site boss knew.
My site boss knew immediately
it was the only way
to inflict damage
on the motors of the pickups,
and to make sure
they never reached the village.
That's what really happened.
Silence!
- [clamoring continues]
- [judge] Order!
Order, please.
Please, please. That's enough.
- Sit down, please.
- [clamoring dies down]
Mr. Draza, what are you talking about?
The massacre still happened!
Correct.
But if the rebels made it to the village,
it was clearly not my fault
or the company's.
[clamoring and shouting]
We did everything we could
to stop them from getting there.
Stopping them was impossible.
What were we supposed to do?
- [clamoring continues]
- [gavel banging]
[gavel banging continuously]
[crowd chanting]
[chanting fades]
[door closes]
[Firmin retches then coughs]
[retching and coughing]
Firmin, it's Lonard.
You all right?
[crowd continues chanting
in the courtroom]
[toilet flushes]
Here, put your wrist under cold water.
Yeah, go ahead. It always helps me.
[water running]
You did what had to be done. All right?
You were perfect.
No regrets, Firmin.
They'll leave you alone from now on.
[water stops]
I'll tell your brother
I'm glad we worked together.
[door closes, footsteps approaching]
[ominous music playing]
[breath trembling]
Sir, a glass of champagne? No?
Would you like one?
May I interest you in champagne?
Yeah, thanks.
- Champagne, sir?
- No, thanks.
Uh, wait, I'll have his.
- Thank you.
- Here you go.
[sighs]
That's damn good. So crisp and fresh.
Having a good time?
I'm drinking to forget.
God, cut the bullshit.
It went perfectly fine.
We did what we did and we won.
Right, we won so it's worth it.
That's right.
Of course.
"The use of promises, offers,
pressures, bribes,
battery, assaults,
payments or artifices during a procedure"
[Lonard] Article 434
of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Yeah, I know the law.
Right, sure, that's great. I'm not done.
"In order to induce false attestations
will result in up to
three years' imprisonment,
and a fine of 45,000 euros,
even if it is unsuccessful."
You'll make a good prosecutor.
Fuck, this was stupid,
I never should've followed you.
What exactly is your problem? Huh?
Varenne will continue developing
the Congo,
Firmin gets a cushy job offer
and a lot of cash.
Come on.
His parents are happy,
so are his brothers and sisters.
Everyone's good. End of story.
I bet the fucking terrorists
are thrilled with you too.
You just cooked up
the perfect alibi for them.
Come on, those pricks'll get
life in prison, don't worry about that.
We did our job, no one was harmed.
Uh, what job? I'm an accomplice
to your schemes and corruption.
Think about it a minute.
Keep it down and quit busting my balls
for two seconds, okay?
What is so damn complicated about this?
You know my life is on the line.
You think I enjoy going this route?
No, but my trial is in three days,
and I'd prefer to remain a lawyer
if you don't mind.
It happens to be
the only thing I'm good at.
So go ahead, recite the Criminal Code,
fine with me.
Just stop with all the bleeding-heart,
humanitarian horseshit.
Here, here. Take a look.
Sir, if you don't care for champagne,
maybe you'd prefer a sauvignon blanc,
or Pinot, or a cognac?
I'd prefer you quit offering me
alcohol every two seconds, please.
Of course, sir.
[sighs]
LIVES GONE
NAMES TO REMEMBER
[sighs]
[melancholy music playing]
- Not stopping at Varenne?
- No, I'm going with you.
Take us to Rue Jean Goujon,
if you don't mind.
What's the number again?
What? [Scoffs]
- It's ten.
- Uh, that's number ten, please.
You're coming to my place?
Close. Just dropping you off.
Hm.
Thought you were, uh
The NGO's been in a panic,
they wanna delay the hearing tomorrow.
Fortunately, judge said no.
Let's hope they don't come up with a video
of the pickup arriving at the village.
For now, it'll hold up.
You did great.
Right.
Has Firmin been paid?
That's up to Varenne.
Okay. And Lemonnier? Did you guys meet?
- Yeah, it should be fine.
- Wait, as in...?
Suspended sentence,
but you keep your law license for now.
Seems like Lemonnier will overlook it
this time. Next time, I doubt it.
I want you to take some time off
and get whatever tests you need
so you're in fighting form
for the trial in three days, okay?
Hm, sure.
[ambient music playing]
- You're paying me like a mobster.
- They don't make half as much.
Thought you'd be thrilled.
Yeah, I am.
You did your part, Lo.
[gentle music playing]
Being clean suits you.
[laughs softly]
I don't feel very clean.
Well, to be honest, that makes two of us.
[indistinct chatter]
- [buzzes]
- [door opens]
[man] Hey, Landry.
Hey, hold on.
- [loud banging]
- Open up!
Open this door! Tanush, go around!
Open the fucking door.
[door smashing]
[man] Get over here, Landry.
Where you going?
[suspenseful music playing]
Get the fuck back here!
Hurry up, let's go!
Landry! You prick!
Get back here, asshole!
Motherfucker!
[dramatic music playing]
[panting]
- [tires screech]
- [man] Got him!
- God, Bamir, didn't recognize you!
- Cut the bullshit.
- What can I do for you?
- You're doing something for us.
[Lonard groans]
Know how much money we lost 'cause of you?
You stole our client list
for that son of a bitch, Caleb!
Wait, hang on. Hey.
I swiped the phone, okay?
It was gonna bring you down.
It had everything!
- Shut the fuck up!
- Between all the messages
and contacts,
you'd have been in prison for ten years!
- Are you fucking with us?
- What? No!
I swear it's true.
And now that's disappeared, they're done.
It's gonna blow up
the whole investigation.
- They have no evidence.
- Don't screw with my head, Landry.
I'm not! I'm not, I swear.
Silence this guy.
[grunts]
You'll never fuck with me again.
Your tongue!
- What?
- Stick out your tongue!
- Shut it.
- [thug] Open your mouth, asshole.
- [Bamir] Do it!
- Do it now!
[Bamir] Stick out your tongue.
- [thug] You heard the man!
- No, wait, I can pay you!
- I'll pay you back if you don't...
- What? How?
- Hang on.
- Talk, come on!
- The cash is at my place, all right?
- Oh, your place, really?
Don't lie to me, you fucking junkie.
- A little of this, you'll tell the truth.
- [Lonard] No.
- No, stop, don't!
- Take it, fucker!
- Drop your head!
- [Bamir] Take this!
- Come on. You're gonna talk.
- [thug] Do what he says!
- [thug] Hold him still!
- [Bamir] Stop moving, you son of a bitch!
[thug] You're gonna love this,
you motherfucker.
- There, there. You like that?
- Look at this bitch.
That what you wanted?
[thug] You gonna stop bullshitting us now?
[gasping]
- Hang on, hang on, guys, wait.
- [thug] Give him more!
Hang on. Here.
- [Bamir] What's that?
- That's the money, take a third of it.
[sniffs and gasps]
A third? The guy's a comedian, huh?
[tires screech]
[gasps then coughs]
- [tires screech]
- [engine revving]
[groaning]
[groans]
[panting]
[sniffing]
[blows nose]
[groaning]
[blows nose]
[dialing]
- [Iris] Yeah?
- Hey, Iris, it's me, it's Lonard.
[ominous music playing]
If I used half an hour ago,
could it already be in my blood?
[nurse] I don't know, you'll have
to wait for the results on Monday.
Really? Goddammit, that's too late.
Can't we speed up the process?
No.
And if I test positive,
how long does it stay in the blood?
I'm a nurse, sir,
not an addiction specialist.
Couldn't you just give me a certificate?
There's nothing I can do for you,
but this looks bad, it's really swollen.
[yells in pain]
[nurse] Okay, we'll show it to a doctor.
[elevator dings]
I figured you'd be gone.
Well, no, I stuck around. So?
They'll have the results on Monday,
plus they want to X-ray my hand.
- Oh yeah, no kidding.
- Mm.
What do we do if the test is positive?
Could we get through the hearing?
Should we suspend it?
No, a suspension won't work.
Let's hope it's not.
- By the way, I got you a room.
- Where?
Um, here.
The hospital wants to keep an eye on you.
What, alone?
What do you want?
For me to stay?
Give you a nice cup of tea?
Want me to tuck you into bed?
- To be honest, I wouldn't mind that.
- I bet.
I love that trick you showed me,
putting your wrist under cold water.
- Works pretty damn well.
- Yeah.
- Works great. [Chuckles softly]
- Yeah?
All right, I'm off.
[Lonard inhales deeply]
[exhales]
[phone ringing]
See you Monday.
[phone continues ringing]
[suspenseful music playing]
[somber music playing]
[dialing]
- [call drops]
- [tuts]
[dialing]
Hey, Caleb.
- Hey.
- [video call tone ringing]
I can't get a hold of your brother.
Is everything okay?
You fucking with me, huh?
What?
Look, you got ten different accounts
for this money.
My mother's been running all over,
you're driving us nuts here.
- What do you mean?
- Couldn't you pay in euros,
like everyone else,
or crypto or something? Huh?
What am I gonna do with a hundred
and thirty six million Congolese francs?
I'm confused, what are you talking about?
Look, bro, fix the problem.
I want my dough in euros. And in Dubai.
- Don't worry, I'm on it.
- All right.
[sighs]
[suspenseful music playing]
[Iris] Your Honor, if I may.
As you may be aware,
it so happens that the hearing in Kolwezi
produced critical testimony.
Testimony which proved
that the Varenne group
had nothing to do with this tragic
and bloody massacre.
Therefore, my client would have no reason
No reason to appear before this court,
but for a troubling fact
that we discovered last night.
The primary witness, Firmin Draza,
- committed perjury.
- [spectators murmuring]
If you'll take a look at the screen,
it shows Mr. Draza's bank account,
where you'll see a deposit
of more than 136 million Congolese francs.
And after investigating
the source of these incoming funds,
we traced them back to an account
with the number 5127.
This account, I suspect,
will be well known to the court because
it appears to belong to the terrorists
responsible for this massacre.
As the upcoming investigation will prove
- [judge] Quiet.
- the Varenne group was, in fact,
betrayed by a local employee,
whose hideous corruption
brought him into close contact
with the terrorists.
Simply put, he offered them logistical
support in exchange for payment.
I would add that the police
are very familiar with the Draza family.
Firmin's brother, one Caleb Draza,
is currently imprisoned
at the Fleury-Mrogis.
The French justice system
and your court know him well.
Nothing further, Your Honor.
[judge] Miss Lamarck,
do you have anything to add at this time?
- I would like to speak.
- [judge] Then please come forward.
[suspenseful music playing]
Your Honor, the Varenne company
has always worked
to improve the fortunes
of the Global South.
Investing in roads and electricity,
we have certainly never financed a war.
This was a betrayal, Your Honor,
by a young man in our firm. And today...
Excuse me, when a lawyer
bears witness to a crime,
they are bound by law to report it.
- That exigency takes priority
- Sit down.
over attorney-client privilege,
Your Honor.
Lonard, what are you doing?
Would you just hold on?
I refuse to let an innocent man
be sacrificed
to save the reputation of one person,
namely the CEO of this corporation.
- This interruption is unacceptable.
- Sir, on what grounds are you intervening?
I understand it's confusing,
I'm not wearing my robe.
I wasn't planning on being here.
I'm one of the attorneys for Miss Lamarck.
That's not true.
I don't know him, Your Honor.
Well, I have evidence on here
that proves otherwise.
[Iris] I request an immediate suspension
of the hearing.
Suspension denied.
I recuse Mr. Landry.
Make up your mind.
So now I am your attorney?
Recusal denied. Please proceed, counselor.
I'd be happy to, Your Honor.
Two days ago,
at the request of Miss Lamarck,
I met with Firmin Draza.
I went to Kolwezi for the purpose
of dictating testimony to him.
It was meant to exonerate
my client, Varenne.
[Iris] Your Honor, I strenuously object.
These statements are defamatory
and categorically false.
- [judge] Continue.
- What was I offered for prescribing
this false narrative? A huge sum of money.
- Well, not much of a surprise.
- [Iris] Nonsense.
So, Miss Lamarck,
since you're concerned about the truth,
perhaps you can tell us a bit more.
The amount of cash exchanged,
for instance.
Your Honor,
this behavior is reprehensible.
Proceed, counselor.
- Two hundred thousand.
- [spectators exclaim]
One part of which was put
into his account in Kolwezi,
that allowed Varenne
to ambush Firmin Draza,
the "young man in our firm,"
who this woman took
- and turned into the ideal scapegoat.
- Enough! I've heard enough of this.
Excuse me, Your Honor, you might be
interested in knowing where Mr. Landry
wound up last night, and why?
- Excuse me
- You wanna play hardball?
but this is a court of law,
not a schoolyard. That's enough.
- Can we put an end to this farce?
- My maneuvering wasn't enough
to reassure them.
They needed a sacrificial lamb.
So they used the rest of the cash
they had promised Firmin Draza
to fabricate evidence they could use
in a crucifixion.
This man is a notorious drug addict
who has no clue about this case
or any other.
[spectators murmuring]
[spectators shushing]
I know what happened, Your Honor.
And I know because I'm culpable.
Like you,
Miss Lamarck.
And like you,
Miss Saint-Didier.
[judge] Mr. Landry.
The accusations you put forward today
will be examined at a later hearing.
I must say, I get the feeling your career
in delinquency is just beginning.
Nevertheless, I thank you for this moment
of integrity.
If you don't mind,
we'll resume the session.
[Iris] With pleasure.
If I'm not mistaken, you were telling us
about the Draza family.
I was discussing the criminal record
of Caleb Draza, right.
- [judge] I'm listening.
- It's an elaborate history of wrongdoing.
2014. Drug trafficking.
2016. Possession of narcotics.
2018. Importation of narcotics.
Pontoise. Seventh Chamber.
Aggravated assault.
Jonathan Mbaya, 34.
But also Bobigny.
- Zo Mbaya, 12 years old.
- Eighteenth Criminal Chamber.
- Assault with a deadly weapon.
- Lon Mbaya, 67 years old.
- Bailiff, remove this man right away.
- Samuel Banza, 29 years old.
- Nene Yamba, 40 years old. Prcieux Yamba
- Remove this man right now!
six years old.
- Anu Mamba, nine years old.
- [spectators murmuring]
Amina Kanku. 31 years old.
- [Iris] Crteil. Sixth Criminal Chamber.
- Junior Nkoy, 15 years old.
Third-degree murder
in an crime organization.
[somber pensive music playing]
[music continues]
[muffled techno music
playing over speakers]
- [music ends]
- [siren wailing]
- [firefighter] Here?
- [No] Yeah.
[doorbell ringing]
Mr. Landry?
Mr. Landry, can you hear me?
- How long have you been waiting?
- It's been over an hour.
Hey, it's the fire department.
Can you hear me?
- [banging on door]
- I haven't heard from him since Friday.
Sir, I don't know if you're in there,
but we're going to break down your door.
Can you hear me?
Whoa, whoa, whoa,
what the hell's the matter with you?
I've been trying to reach you for days.
I was worried.
So you stopped by to knock down my door?
Just got it repaired too.
- [firefighter 2] You all right, sir?
- I was taking a nap, okay?
Is that allowed?
I apologize.
- Well, we'll let you sleep, then.
- [Lonard] Great.
- Sorry.
- Okay, let's go.
Goodbye.
[sighs]
- [liquid pouring]
- [Lonard sighs]
[pepper grinding]
I brought you back your coat.
You'll be happy to know
your sacrifice paid off.
The police showed up
to search Varenne's offices.
And as for Firmin,
well, it's kind of complicated,
but he's going to be
a civil party in the trial.
[sniffs]
And, um, what about your trial?
[sniffs] What about it?
It's Monday. That's today. Are you going?
I don't have to be there.
You're not seriously
about to skip it, right? Come on.
Huh? Are you?
What's the point, No?
It's all over for me anyway.
[sniffs] Plus, I have no robe.
Oh, right, I didn't show you. Look.
I've been doing
some arts and crafts lately.
- [chuckles]
- [No] That's cute.
- Come on, that's enough.
- Whoa, what the...
- Hey, hey, hey!
- You're going to stop right now.
Take a shower and show up
in front of the judge. Hurry.
- I told you already, it's over for me.
- That's not a given. We don't know that.
You have to fight.
Are you still a lawyer or not?
Are you still a lawyer or not?
[suspenseful music playing]
It's negative.
See, it's a sign. You got this.
Your bag, here.
[Lemonnier] and outright fraud, all in
the course of his duties. With that said
Mr. Landry, your hearing started at 1:30.
It's now 2:15.
Please remove your robe, Mr. Landry.
Where is your counsel?
Iris Saint-Didier informed us by email
she won't be defending Mr. Landry.
Right, I know,
but you haven't replaced her?
Just me today. Is that a problem for you?
If you're prepared for that,
it's not a problem for us.
Okay. [Sighs]
[Lemonnier] No, Mr. Landry,
I don't think you understand.
You're on the defendant's bench.
You're not a lawyer today.
And I would appreciate it
if you'd remove your robe immediately.
[sniffs]
[Lemonnier] Very well. Let's continue.
We won't repeat the facts, Mr. Prosecutor.
You may close your case now.
Of course, Your Honor.
It's such a waste.
It's shameful.
Yes, that's correct, Mr. Landry,
I'm talking about you.
Allow me to offer a harsh reminder, sir.
When you were sworn in as a lawyer,
you vowed to execute your duties
with dignity,
conscience, independence, probity,
and humanity.
However,
the spectacle you so recklessly
performed for us last month,
and, forgive me for saying so,
that you're still putting on today,
is unacceptable.
Look at me.
Then look at your colleagues
bearing witness to your disgrace,
because this doesn't only affect you,
Mr. Landry.
You are not alone.
Your behavior blemishes the whole court.
You assume this is a matter
of your freedom as an individual
to take narcotics and break the law,
but because of you
our entire judicial tradition
is at risk of contamination.
Because the facts before us today,
Your Honor,
the facts
are truly incontestable.
We all know it.
In fact, they're much more
than incontestable, Mr. Landry.
The facts are despicable.
And with the facts in mind,
I implore you, Your Honor,
to convict Mr. Landry.
For the use of a controlled substance,
I recommend 12 months imprisonment.
And as an additional sentence, Your Honor,
I ask you to permanently ban Mr. Landry
from practicing law.
Thank you very much.
So, Mr. Landry, you weren't here,
but just before you arrived,
we were discussing
a note from Paris' Court of Appeals
arguing that you have a degree
of culpability
for several charges in the Varenne case.
Including tampering with testimony,
association with criminal actors,
and outright fraud.
All of this in the course of your duties.
We're listening.
[sighs]
[Lemonnier] Mr. Landry,
do you have nothing to add?
All right. Well
Are we ready?
The court has deliberated.
- We hereby approve a sentence of...
- No, wait, Your Honor,
- excuse me, uh, your judgment...
- Excuse me,
I will not tolerate interruptions
of this kind in my court, sir.
- All I'm asking for is a fair judgment.
- [Lemonnier] Who are you?
I'm, uh, his attorney.
[scoffs]
You're an attorney?
Not quite yet, but as an intern,
technically, I can plead in court
under my supervisor's watch.
Where's your supervisor then, sir?
- Right here.
- Mr. Landry, can you tell your friends
to stop these silly provocations
on your behalf?
- No...
- No, allow me to insist, Your Honor,
but, uh, a student lawyer
who's already been sworn in
may plead in the presence
of his supervisor.
And Lonard Landry continues to exercise
his duties, he's still a lawyer.
All right then.
Um
Uh
Your Honor, Mr. Prosecutor,
your primary goal today
is to take this robe away from Mr. Landry.
And if I may, ma'am, I think
you've already decided to do that.
I've learned that this piece of fabric
I hope to wear soon,
and I'm not there yet,
can be a burden not unlike armor.
Only this armor
doesn't protect you at all.
I have to tell you, because of Mr. Landry,
I had the most exhilarating,
the most incredible, crazy week ever.
The saddest, too.
Sir, let's get to the facts, please.
I don't wanna be here all day.
Of course. I'll continue.
I met Mr. Landry a week ago.
I got a call from him
because he was looking for an intern.
What he was unaware of,
and what I never told you about,
is that before you called me up,
I had decided I'd never become a lawyer.
I'd given up hope and was ready to quit.
When I met you, I had a lot of doubts
about myself
and my ability to do this job.
But as I watched you fight
to remain a lawyer,
I learned the deeper meaning
of this profession.
Your Honor, I believe the true purpose
of this profession
is it ensure no one is left behind.
To see that nobody is alone.
The Lonard Landry I saw last week
in front of his rehab,
where he was fighting addiction,
was the most pathetic,
lonely guy I've ever met.
Apart from me, but I digress.
And yet, that man spent his time
defending everyone,
the worst and the best,
without judgment or reproach,
meeting every challenge
with the same passion.
And ultimately, that's why I'm here.
You don't have to do this by yourself.
You don't have to be alone.
You're complicated.
You're the best and the worst.
But I swear, you will never be
beyond redemption,
not while I'm defending you.
Your Honor,
I would just like to conclude by saying
that I know, in my position,
it's a risk to appeal to your empathy,
your humanity, even your compassion.
But I want to reiterate,
Lonard Landry shouldn't be punished,
that wouldn't be right.
This man should have our urgent support.
He almost died a month ago,
and if you punish him now,
when he destroys himself,
it will be your responsibility.
And you will live with that.
So I beg you to be lenient.
Have you anything to add, Mr. Landry?
[sobs softly]
[Lemonnier] Very well.
The case is under advisement.
[poignant music playing]
After our deliberations, Mr. Landry,
the court has found you guilty
of all relevant offenses.
You will hereby serve a total
of six months
suspended imprisonment with probation.
As an additional punishment,
the court bans you from practicing law
for a period of two years.
You should know, Mr. Landry,
the court valued the comments
delivered by your young recruit.
But be assured that if,
in the course of time,
you resume your old habits,
the court will not be as lenient.
Well.
Verdict is rendered.
[poignant music playing]
[Lonard sighs]
Right there, that's perfect.
[No] Are you gonna be okay?
[dialing]
- [No] Yeah?
- Hey, No, when do you plan
to take the bar exam?
In three months. Why?
I'm gonna need a good lawyer
for the Varenne case.
And I was told
you're very familiar with it.
[chuckles softly]
Oh, I am, Mr. Landry.
So you're going to work your magic?
Mr. Landry, don't worry.
From now on, I'm your lawyer, all right?
You speak to me, and me alone.
Is that clear?
[chuckles softly] Yeah, got it.
I won't abuse your trust.
Thank you, No. Goodbye.
[poignant music continues]
[man 1] Hello, everyone.
I've been sober for six months.
Hey, guys, I'm an addict.
I've been clean for 15 days.
Morning everyone, I'm an addict,
but I just got to eight days sober
as of today.
- Morning, so
- [therapist] Lonard, hey.
Do you want to take a chair and sit down?
Thanks, that's perfect. [Clears throat]
[woman 1] Hey guys, I'm an addict.
I've been clean now
for three weeks and two days.
[woman 2] Uh, hi. I'm an addict too,
and I've been clean
for a total of seven days.
[man 2] Hey guys, how are you?
I'm an addict,
and I've been sober for 23 days.
[music fades]
[inhales]
Uh, my name's Lonard. [Clears throat]
I'm an addict.
And I've been sober for one day.
["Love is The Drug" by Roxy Music playing]
[song continues]
It ain't no
To wait
It ain't no
The toll of the bell
Toll
I jump up
Love is the drug
Showing out
Boy meets girl
Goes on
Stretched up tight
Shake free
Love is the drug
[song fades]
[reflective music playing]
[music fades]