The Crimson Rivers (Les Rivières pourpres)

THE CRIMSON RIVERS

We'll touch base in two hours.

-Which way do we go? -There.

Okay? See you later, guys.

Can I help you?

Got a light?

Who let you through?

Your men. Commissioner Pierre Niemans.

Just you? Paris said they'd send a unit.

What the hell?

I'm the unit.

Captain...

...I didn't drive all night to wage war with cops.

What's the low-down?

Follow me.

Two days ago, the college dean reported Remy Callois missing.

Thirty-two years old, single.

Remy lectured at the college. He was also the librarian.

An upper-echelon job there.

According to the Dean, Remy was punctual and the hard-working.

He never showed up late.

Yesterday afternoon...

...a young mountain Climber found his body.

Why call in the homicide squad?

We’re not used to this kind of stuff.

Why?

His body was strung up there. At 50 motors.

GUERNON - University, 500 motors

You’re from the homicide unit, but not really, is that it?

That's it.

We never dealt with you before.

You’re lucky.

HAPPY IS HE WHO PENETRATES THE HIDDEN CAUSES GP THINGS

What's this college doing here?

It's no ordinary college.

It provides its own electricity, its own water.

It even has a hospital.

1,200 students. 100 professors and researchers.

One of Europe’s oldest universities.

In case of a snowstorm, it can survive for a month.

The Dean is like the mayor of the valley.

He runs most of the region.

Here's where they form future Hill Gates.

Future what?

Future Bill Gates.

The hospital’s attached to the college?

It's open to everyone in the region.

We all get free health care.

We work a lot with them.

There's even a maternity wing.

This is Commissioner Niemans. He'll be helping out on this case.

I was in your Criminology Class in 1987.

Did you start yet?

I haven’t cut the cord.

Can we See?

I figured you’d want to See him intact. It's incredible.

The work of a real madman.

He strove for the foetal position.

What position?

The foetal. Like a foetus in its mother’s belly.

He’s been dead for 48 hours.

Examination reveals traces of incisions...

...on the shoulders, arms, elbows and thighs...

...made by a sharp instrument. A carpet cutter.

Can you cut the cord?

Four broken ribs.

Arms broken at the shoulders and elbows.

Multiple fractures: tibia, hip... I'll put it all in a detailed report.

The hands were amputated before he died, with an axe...

...the stumps cauterised to avoid his bleeding to death.

The killer obviously wanted to keep his victim alive.

I wouldn’t do that...

He carved out the eyes like a surgeon.

Operating on a live patient.

What the fuck is this shit?

The sockets were filled with rain. It's being analysed.

There's a good eye doctor in Guernon. He may shed some light on this.

How long did it take him to die?

I'd have to cut him open, but I'd say five hours.

The size and precision of the wounds...

...indicate that he wanted his victim conscious...

...but in the greatest possible state of pain.

Check every prison, every loony bin and sect.

Every trail, refuge and ski slope.

Run random identity checks on drivers in a 150 kilometre radius.

Dig up evidence of similar mutilations in the past 20 years.

Talk to possible witnesses and Callois's colleagues.

Anyone who knew his itinerary.

Find out where it rained in the past two days.

Find anything: witnesses, clues... You have two hours.

Doctor CHERNEZE - OPHTHALMOLOGIST

Who's there?

Who's there?

Who is it?

Why won’t you talk?

Doctor!

-Who are you? -What's going on?

Got the cog out of here.

It's nothing. Go home. Everything’s all right.

See you on Tuesday.

Who are you?

Commissioner Niemans. Sorry, dogs scare me shitless.

Dogs are not to fear. Just their masters.

How can I help you?

I'm investigating Remy Callois's death.

I heard about it.

How awful.

Did you know him?

I know his father.

We went to college together.

Did you teach at the college?

For 20 years.

But I stopped teaching in 1982.

Why?

Difference of opinion.

With the Dean?

I don't understand. What's the link between me and Remy?

I have some pictures I'd like your opinion of.

He was tortured?

For several hours.

How horrible...

I didn't know.

No hands?

Nor eyes.

That's why I'm here. To understand these mutilations.

How would I know?

What exactly do you treat?

Genetic afflictions concerning the eyes.

Hereditary diseases transmitted from one generation to the next.

They strike isolated areas and with the college...

What about the college?

Teachers have been marrying among themselves for ages.

The bloodlines are weak, worn out.

Genetic problems keep popping up.

The ransom of the elite.

I thought the professors' kids were prodigies.

They are.

I don't get it.

Over the past two generations...

...the situation has reversed.

The native mountain children are getting sick.

Like the boy you just saw.

Could there be a connection between the mutilations and the diseases?

Hands and eyes are the body parts that belong to us alone.

They're different from anyone else's, like with DNA.

They’re our biological identity.

Your killer is giving you hints as to his motive.

And he starts stabbing away.

He stabs the dog, stabs the guy...

...grabs the bag and throws the knife under the Car!

Seriously, Paris is full of psychos!

The subway! The cops!

RoboCops! "Hand over your ticket, please!"

What the hell? I'm happy with my Cows!

I'm happy here! Fresh air! It's amazing here.

Take a look at my Cows!

Paris sucks.

Kids doing this shit!

-It's the County Mounties! -Hi, kids.

-How's it hanging? -What's up?

Cool it...

Can we go now?

Happy squirrel hunting!

You want the roach?

You smoke?

-I always have. -You didn't before!

Now I do.

You’re smoking on duty.

He does.

You’re lower on the totem pole.

Where does that put you?

Harry and Sally! Why did you come for me?

The cemetery got robbed last night.

The word is "desecrated."

The elementary school got desecrated, too.

The word is "robbed", dick wad.

Two in a day! We’re back in business, guys!

Let's start with the cemetery. I'm riding high today.

Pass the joint.

-What now? -Nothing!

-You’re sulking. -Because you’re smoking!

Do I sulk when you drink?

Cut the crap! You sound like two old hookers.

You’re here for the desecration. Follow me.

I'm okay.

It's the girl's mausoleum.

The only mausoleum in the cemetery.

When I got here this morning...

...this is what I found.

It's those skinheads. They’re always hanging around here!

-We have skinheads? -Not skinheads. Just kids.

-Kiddie skinheads? -Just kid kids.

Did this ever happen before?

The first time.

" 1972 - 1982."

She didn't make it too far.

Stop that! You have no right.

You need her parents' say-so. I know the law!

Relax. No problem.

Where can I find the parents?