Where to now?
-Go on. Get in. -Can't we squeeze together?
You just want to squeeze my cousin.
-No I don't. -You don't like her?
-I do, but... -Just get in.
Come on.
There you go.
Hey, guys!
An absolute majority for the Socialist party...
There's still too much red here.
323 Socialist MPs. Better than 1981.
Were you even born then?
I got my whole class to vote Mitterrand.
Mr. Treasury Director, you may have noticed
that France has elected a new government.
If you hadn't noticed, I'm just letting you know.
That's right.
Our Finance minister
will back the Italian proposal
at the European Council. Excuse me.
-Alain, you ok? -I'm fine. I'll be right back.
His ears ring, ever since the accident.
The noise never stops. It's awful.
Let's help him out.
Wait, Alain. We're coming.
Arthur!
Shit!
We're here!
-The keys! -Get the keys!
Arthur, we're here!
Hurry up!
I can't find them.
I can't find the damn keys! They're not here!
Force it open.
Come on!
Arthur, dammit, kick it!
The arts center is a big project. 6 months of construction.
I thought you could handle the security.
Guards, watchdogs... What do you think?
You know how long it's been since I was in custody,
-Mr. Mayor? -What do you want?
-I want you to kiss my ass. -Gerard...
That's the least you can do. Kiss my ass, real good.
There will be asbestos removal, with an obligatory call for bids.
You'd need a partner company as a guarantee.
-As long as it's free. -Nothing comes for free!
I know, but it's always the same ones who pay.
-We'll find a solution. -OK, but...
When? That's what I want to know.
One week, at the most.
You'll be fine.
How do you feel?
Are you warming up?
Why was he in the trunk? He could have died.
The water wasn't too high.
-Don't pull that crap on me. -Listen...
-You, shut up! -It's my fault.
-She didn't know about the trunk. -Did you or didn't you?
-I didn't. I was sleeping. -She was.
You got your story straight.
She didn't know. This bunch of jerks dragged her into it.
You'll be paying for the car.
They locked the kid in the trunk, like a dog.
Who gives a damn about your car?
You're such an idiot.
Cyril, I got your message. But I can't talk.
Chistera is resigning as party leader. Health reasons.
Damn, I thought he was getting better.
And guess what?
Laugier's already looking for his replacement.
Philippe?
I'll catch the 10:16 train. I'll call you.
You have to run for party leader.
No, it's too soon. I don't have a chance.
Laugier's in a state of grace.
Whoever he names will be cheered.
Gotta go.
You'll leave the password, right? For the Wi-Fi.
-You don't need it. Or the TV. -I'm not a child.
-Your work will keep you busy. -What work?
Cleaning up my list of supporters. 6000 names.
It's vacation! I didn't come to...
Did you know about the guy in the trunk?
I'll say what you want. Even if it's not true.
-What's not true? -That I knew about Arthur.
-Salome, don't lie. I hate lies. -I'm not lying.
Call Cyril. He'll explain about the list.
There are 4 candidates for Secretary General.
Chambolle and Barthelemy.
Plisson and Irvane.
-And Bardon? -My Interior minister?
She's young...
She's my Interior minister.
Don't strip my government.
-I prefer Barthelemy. -He's 68...
Mr. Kalhenberg! Daniel, how are you?
Great, thanks.
Congratulations on your 54%. Great score!
I've had the same office for 15 years.
-I'll talk to the clerk. -No, I'll do it.
-Where is that con artist? -At your desk.
-No way! -He is.
100 years ago, that would be grounds for a duel.
-This is my 3rd term in this office. -Who cares about your office?
You don't return calls. Your schedule is worse than Obama's.
How else do I get to see you?
I have a great story for you.
-About what? -You and I screwing Laugier over.
Kalhenberg?
What about him?
He'll want to run.
First Secretary.
Tell me how I win?
Who said anything about a vote?
Listen to me. You'll be the sole candidate.
Why would Laugier let his rival run the party?
-You're not his rival anymore. -What?
Now you're pro-Laugier. Very pro-Laugier, in fact.
Everyone will pretend to believe you, including Francis.
Your only goal is the government's success.
That's why you're offering your services to the Party
during this transition period.
A transition?
Let me guess. After the transition,
you become First Secretary?
You want me to give you the Party.
So you can run the country. And I don't mean, in 10 or 15 years.
In just 5 years.
Here's what I'm going to do:
nothing at all.
I'm not pro-Laugier. I don't measure myself against him.
I'm Daniel Kalhenberg. End of story.
I won't refuse the Finance ministry to run the Party.
I've never hidden my strategy. I'm the solution.
You want to be president?
The primaries are the only way.
The primaries.
Kalhenberg doesn't care about running the Party.
He wants to be here.
With a Socialist incumbent, there are no primaries.
The Party can decide otherwise.
With his Northern votes, Rickwaert may give it a shot.
He has the votes and the ideas.
He set his sights on the Party 10 years ago.
He should have been taken out then. Removed from Parliament.
Amelie, you fought hard. Now, it's a question of time.
The first candidate to come forth will win.
The people want new faces. The runner up will divide the Party.
So let's stick to the schedule
and hold elections at the National Council.
-That's in 4 days. -I'll go see the 5 contenders right now.
I have to think.
That's exactly why I chose Francis over you, 15 years ago.
And yet, you and I have much more in common.
But you don't work hard enough.
You think too much about yourself.
"The solution", "above the fray". Lazy people's phrases.
There's no air above the fray.
You'll die on your own little cloud, above the fray.
I'll do RTL radio at 7.45 AM. Good enough? Happy now?
Call her.
It's ringing.
-Hi Cyril. -It's Philippe.
Feeling better?
Absolutely not. You can't imagine how sick I am.
I'm stuck in bed.
-I'm extending my sick leave. -Enough, Vero.
I can't run City Hall without you.
-I can't do it alone. -You don't need me.
You don't need anyone.
On Election Day, you did it all yourself.
I had no choice!
It's easy to have regrets, now that we won.
If the pole-vaulter was in the lead, you'd have been glad
-I had a plan B. -Damn him!
Is this the stuff? You have invoices?
I don't have any invoices, no.
No invoices, no ID,
no paperwork to prove where I got it. I don't know.
I just don't know.
That's her! That's the woman!
With the Mayor, in the poster. She sold the stuff to me.
-Calm down. -I won't calm down.
I won't be wrongly accused. Are you nuts?
She sold me the stuff, and I'm the one accused.
-Veronique Bosso? -The woman in the poster.
-Hello? -Please hold for the President.
Amelie, I need you to come here, now.
I'm on my way, Mr. President.
You need to tweet.
Announce you're running. Propose a collective transition leadership.
You want a tweet at 2 AM?
I'm not a bum. I'll be on RTL in 5 hours.
Francis knows we're playing against time.
Did Chambolle tweet? No. Get real for a minute.
I know how he thinks.
So does he. He knows me by heart.
If you want to work together,
think less about Laugier, and more about me.
See you later. Get some sleep.
Shit!
What's going on?
-Whisky? -No, thank you.
You have to become Party leader.
What?
There's no way.
I don't have the qualifications.
And it's not a job I want or like.
People like what they're good at. And you're good.
I want to work with you more than anything,
and for France, but in my current job.
When I joined the Party, the average age was 20.
Younger than today. It was so incredibly lively.
Full of ideas and energy.
That was my generation. But they've gotten old and tired.
Maybe success went to their heads.
Now they focus on administration, not activism.
Rickwaert was supposed to rejuvenate the Party
and get rid of some people.
-Why tell me this? -Because now it's up to you.
Now I'm really lost. I'm nothing like Rickwaert.
Amelie, your president is saying he needs you.
I wasn't even elected. How can I run the Party?
The partial senatorial vote is in 3 months.
You'll represent the Val de Marne department.
You know my family and my background.
You don't have to be poor to defend the poor.
-You decide everything? -A lot of things.
I'm President of the French Republic. That's a fact.
I wish I could tell you to go home and think it over.
But I can't.
Kalhenberg is on RTL tomorrow morning.
You'll do France Inter. They already know.
If the National Council elects me to run the Socialist party,
I'll make sure the militants' voice is heard.
Our debates will be transparent.
I'll defend the clarity of our ideas, the relevance of our project,
and the openness of our practices.
Enough talk of change. It's time to act!
We need a Party that supports our government's choices.
What a bitch!
But the Party must also make suggestions,
act as a guide, and alert the executive branch...
Yes, Officer?
OK.
Hi, she's in there.
-Mrs. Bosso? -Yes?
On May 2nd, you helped Mr. Rickwaert find money.
So the Financial Brigade wouldn't find the hole in the Housing Board's account.
You sold electronic equipment to Eddy Deloir, which he confirmed
by identifying you in several photos.
You also withdrew 900 euros with your husband's bank card.
I don't understand what you're talking about.
First of all, who are you?
I work for the Interior minister.
You came from Paris for me?
Rickwaert was tipped off about the search.
We think we've identified his snitch.
Sylvain Busine. His mother's from here.
That's how Rickwaert knows him.
Let me get this straight.
What did this Busine guy do for Philippe?
You know what the Financial Brigade does?
They investigate rogue bosses, bankruptcy frauds, bank swindles,
shady real-estate promoters.
The victims are always the same.
Workers and retirees with small savings.
I'd love to help you.
-Confirm Busine is the snitch. -The snitch for what?
THE 15TH DISTRICT ON THE MOVE
-Yes, Philippe? -You have the Party's statutes?
-Not right this second. -Yes or no?
I think I have a PDF.
When Dorendeu went to Strasbourg
to join the EC, she was moved to the Brussels section.
-Probably, yes. -She told me so herself.
And she left the Commission, after the European elections.
-Wait... You have the statutes? -Hang on.
Look up "First Secretary". Thanks.
OK, I have it.
The First Secretary oversees the Party's functioning...
What about seniority requirements?
Three consecutive years of Party membership
are mandatory for National Council membership.
-"Consecutive" is what matters. -She doesn't fit that?
After Brussels, she went to Paris.
According to this photo, that was October. Double-check.
If she doesn't have the 3 years, it'll be top secret.
We'll have to check ourselves, without anyone knowing.
Good luck!
What did this elegant man from Paris accuse you of?
Withdrawing cash with your husband's card, at night?
-Not just any night. -Yes, any night.
-They're sure I was with you. -Me?
I was at home, in bed. I need lots of sleep.
They don't know anything. They're just fishing.
There's Eddy's testimony.
I'll get it stuffed in the bottom of a drawer.
Laugier is forced to protect me. You too.
Come on.
A minister's adviser playing cop in Dunkirk?
Laugier's pretending to sniff around.
Don't worry so much.
-Come back to work. -Laugier doesn't control everything.
The cops have a lousy attitude.
If one wants to be a hero...
Are you supposed to call the guy back?
-Tonight. -So give him Busine.
What if he gives you up?
Doubtful. He's about to adopt.
OK.
How are you, anyway?
Richard must be happy to have you at home.
-I can be a pain. -So come back to work!
I screwed up, I agree.
I really screwed up with Balleroy. You were right.
Is this a punishment?
Balleroy is my punishment. I can feel it.
You deserve it.
-I get hit by a bus and you're happy? -Thrilled. I love it.
We're preparing for the National Council.
It's going to be bloody. They found a great angle.
Tell me. What's the idea?
Dorendeu for First Secretary.
Over my dead body.
-Can I help? -I thought you were on sick leave?
Stop it.
We have to search the Party's main database.
We need someone who has access.
I'll sort it out.
It's a 20-minute drive from the club to the beach.
The idea was
to play a joke on Arthur by putting him in the trunk.
But Bruce was having fun and forgot about the joke.
Didn't Arthur make any noise? Being thrown around like that?
-There was music on. -So he screamed, but you didn't hear.
No, he was sleeping. Thank goodness.
I know Arthur Leboeuf. He's a nice kid, right?
Kind of ugly, a little slow...
How nice of you to include him, even in the trunk!
You know what that is? Barbarianism.
-It's always politics with you. -Of course it is.
Barbarianism is politics. It's a world view.
The crude violence of Darwinism. You studied Darwin, didn't you?
-Yes. -When you were little,
I told you how kids behave in the playground.
You obviously didn't get it. So I'll try again.
Humiliating the weak, that's something specific.
Beating up the runts. People get off on that.
-Dad! -They feel powerful.
They feel good. For the last time...
Stop!
Busine, you're being transferred.
Why? I like it here.
-You're going to Marseille. -Wait...
Pack up. I want you gone in an hour!
On issues like peaceful coexistence, or education,
we want to leave our mark
and to initiate significant change.
I'm saying clearly, here and now,
yes, we want to change the country!
You can't separate societal reform and social change.
What about the database?
Benjamin's feeding me some crap about updated access codes.
Someone got to him.
What about Schaffler?
He must have access. He's a federation treasurer.
Forget him. He'd kill for Laugier.
-Oh no! -Isn't that Elodie?
She's his assistant.
-You know her? -Yeah. Drop it.
Why? She has her boss' access codes.
-She's an ex. It's complicated. -That's perfect!
While you screw her to get the codes, we drag out the debate.
-You're crazy. -She's not so bad.
-You'll screw her. -No, I won't.
Take her out and do your thing. We'll get rid of Dorendeu.
-Take the receipt for expenses. -Great.
I hate you both!
We're walking in now.
OK.
-I signed in for you. -Thanks.
Philippe, I signed you up to speak last.
But they're trying to block you. You won't have much time.
Find people who want to intervene.
They've closed the list.
I'll find old-timers they can't turn away.
Otherwise, it'll be over fast and we'll be screwed.
Let's go.
Hi, Philippe.
I'll find you later.
Hi, kids. You're our future, the next generation.
Welcome! Good luck.
-Did you sign up? -I did.
Good for you.
-Hi, Philippe. -All good?
Hey, Jean-Pierre...
-How are you? -Hi, Philippe.
Are you paying tribute to Chistera?
Loads of people have signed up.
We want to hear you. Chistera would be happy.
I like her. I think she's great.
She's competent...
How's Strasbourg?
Strasbourg's OK. But the local elections in Drulingen...
The leaflets had to be in German. What a pain!
Things like "gegen der Kapitalismus".
-I don't envy you. -No kidding.
My reward was a seat on the National Council.
We should probably get going.
-Sure. -Or...
We could have a last drink, for Dutch courage.
OK! Miss? Two "Nikkas", please.
You OK? You seem a little anxious.
-A little. -Why?
Don't worry, you can tell me. Even if you weren't very nice to me.
I know, I was an ass...
-I wasn't ready. -It was a long time ago.
So? I'm all ears.
OK.
-You know Marc Pisani? -From the Nouvel Observateur?
He's an old friend from school. He called me earlier.
You won't believe this story.
Thank you.
It's secret. I haven't even told Philippe.
Go on.
-You sure? -Yes.
Dorendeu doesn't fill the criteria to be candidate.
-What? -3 consecutive years in the Party.
-Shit! -And no one's noticed.
-Your journalist is positive? -No.
No. That's why he called me. I fell off my chair.
But I can't verify his info.
I don't have access to the database.
I do.
Not here. But I can call someone in Colmar.
I can ask her to use my codes. She's done it before.
You'd do that?
OK, let's do it. Great!
Unity was his rock,
his talisman, his signature.
Where is our unity?
Alain Chistera knew, like Blum and Jaures,
that without unity, the Socialists could experience only defeat
-and powerlessness! -Bravo!
-He's good. -Really good.
He has my vote.
Alain, my friend. My dear friend.
Please win this new battle,
and come back to us soon!
We need you!
Rickwaert's adding to the list. He's the last speaker.
Rickwaert's the last one?
He'll give us a Chavez speech that'll clear the room.
I say we vote now.
We can't. People are scheduled to speak.
That's how the Party works.
In the past. Things can change.
Not all things.
I'll be instated at 4 AM in front of 3 stragglers.
Think of tomorrow's front pages.
A picture of me, exhausted with no makeup left.
-I want to vote now. -That's not how it's done.
"Not how it's done..."
But it's OK for him to humiliate me?
The Socialist party has statutes.
You can't stop people from speaking. You'll get used to it.
Let's vote.
Z-Z-45-E-D-J
-D, not B. -Got it.
OK, I'll wait.
She's looking.
She doesn't have 3 years.
-Sure? -Positive.
She doesn't have them.
Email me the info and don't tell anyone.
Shall we?
It's time to vote! Come on. We're voting.
You've reached Cyril Balsan. Please leave me a message...
She's 3 months short.
My dear comrades, I'd like you to take a seat.
We will proceed to vote.
Let me remind you of the procedure.
You raise your badge to vote.
Please take a seat.
The session is adjourned!
Absolutely not! We'll adjourn after the vote.
No, before. By law, you can't refuse.
This is unheard of!
Who do you think you are?
We need to talk.
You're going to hassle me over 3 missing months?
Show some respect for our statutes.
If you get elected,
I'll file an appeal tomorrow. Bye-bye election.
It's automatically annulled. Laugier was careless.
-You're ecstatic. -Actually, I'm not.
What are you doing? The media, the opposition... You're crazy!
If I were, I'd have told everyone.
If you step down, the problem's gone.
Tell Kalhenberg you agree to collective leadership.
Go fuck yourself. Appealing over a detail!
They'll all hate you.
-Maybe. -You won't go through with it.
You don't know that. Listen...
Don't worry about what I'll do. Worry about yourself.
What's your dream life?
Want to run a party?
Spend your time managing apparatchiks, bureaucrats,
crooks and clowns? Just to please the big cheese?
You're too beautiful and smart for that.
Damn you!
I've thought it over. I should give the job
to Chambolle. -You say you've thought it over.
What does that mean to you?
Giving up? Backing down? Shirking responsibility?
This is counter-productive.
You think this is only about you?
You represent me.
If you give up,
they'll say I backed down in front of Rickwaert.
Nothing's worse than a president who backs down.
I'm sorry.
Enough, Amelie! Stop this unbearable whining!
Get working on your speech. I'll handle Rickwaert.
-Thank you. -Understood, Mr. President.
-The President won't see you. -Why am I here then?
If you appeal the vote, we'll kill Clamex.
-You'll cut 2300 jobs? -Yes.
We'll make sure European funding gets cut in half.
The recovery plan will go down the drain.
You know who those guys are?
Minimum wagers, guys in their fifties. Hard hires.
The poor are everywhere. Not just Dunkirk.
We'll allocate the financial aid elsewhere.
The President will look just as good.
And the best part? It's all the EU's fault.
Bull's eye!
Except for the local MP, of course,
who didn't do enough to defend Clamex.
By the way, we've rescheduled Amelie's swearing-in.
Your presence is mandatory tomorrow night.
After a night like tonight,
the Party needs a nice family portrait.
That's all.
Is something wrong?
You were right. I knew about Arthur.
I'm so ashamed, Dad. Forgive me.
No need to dwell on it, honey.
Hungry? Want a croissant?
Yeah.
What a great atmosphere.
Dorendeu's a half-hour late on stage.
-Daniel! -Philippe.
My daughter, Salome.
-Lovely name. It suits you, young lady. -Thanks.
-Is there a problem? -She has stage fright.
She thinks she'll be booed. I don't care.
I've been called on stage for the group photo.
This isn't my problem.
Laugier chose her. He can sort it out.
Philippe, what do you want?
-Dammit, open the door! -It's OK.
Feeling any better?
Not really.
I need to know Kalhenberg's with me.
I saw him. Don't worry about that.
Let's have a chat.
About what? Your stupid appeal?
I just said it to rile you up. I'm not crazy.
-See what it feels like? -What?
When Francis hits you. It hurts.
Here's what we'll do.
We'll go for a smoke.
Vero.
Listen to me. Work the room.
Get everyone excited.
What? What are you talking about?
Laugier slammed her. The barons despise her.
She can't win. Someday, she'll need me.
Kalhenberg's with me?
You'll go it alone.
I can't.
Yes, you can. Write your story.
I have nothing to write. You're supposed to be in my shoes.
It's hard in the beginning.
When you walk up to the pulpit, blinded by the lights.
You can't see a thing. Not even your notes.
But you don't care. You don't need your notes.
You need to pick out a face in the crowd.
Aim for the 10th row.
Stare at that face. Don't turn away.
That's who you're talking to. Forget the cameras.
Forget your notes.
Do that for a minute, while they're still shouting.
One minute.
The time it takes to adjust to the spotlights.
Now, you can look at your notes.
Pick them up.
Don't backtrack. Don't ever apologize.
You're above them all.
You'll blow them away. You're the boss.
With your mean little face.
Your "non-negotiable" face. I like that face.
I like your face, I really do.
But I don't like you.
You're nervous, right? You'll be fantastic.
-I know why you're helping me. -You do?
You want the Party to go up in flames.
You hope it'll be a nightmare for me and Laugier,
and a dream for you.
Prove me wrong.
Amelie!
My dear comrades,
what an adventure!
What a story! Such an honor!
You've placed your trust in me...
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