Don't Shoot (Niet Schieten)

A true story

To David From Saint Martin

Yes. Here we go. Ta-da!

Go on. Go and take a look.

Here's the skirt. Look.

- What do you think? - So cool!

Say, wouldn't it suit me?

I think it would. Oh, can I do your make-up?

Just a little bit.

Eyes closed.

- There you go. - Done?

One of the gang's first robberies takes place in arms shop Dekaise.

They make off with sophisticated firearms.

A policeman rushing to the scene, is killed.

From 1982 onwards, Belgium is terrorised by the Brabant Killers.

The gang becomes notorious for its grocery store robberies.

Seven brand-new bulletproof vests were stolen in Temse.

They were prototypes, which very few people had knowledge about.

A night watchman was killed in the process.

The Nijvel Gang got its name from a deadly robbery in Nijvel.

They only took some food items, but the human cost was great.

In 1985, the gang resurfaces, more deadly than before.

They kill three people at a Delhaize store in Eigenbrakel.

They get away with only 5,000 euros.

Less than half an hour later, five people...

Less than half an hour later, five people are killed in Overijse.

Another robbery at a Delhaize store. They snatch just under 25,000 euros.

Police and Gendarmerie are everywhere...

November 9, 1985

Belgium used to be known for its fries. Now, all we have, is shootings.

There are more gangsters here than in Marseille.

They'll catch them, Carlos.

The day before yesterday,

a couple of kids found two guns and a balaclava in the park.

You know what the Gendarmerie did?

They told them off, and that was that.

And those items are being investigated as we speak.

You think? By whom? They're a bunch of amateurs.

And I don't mean those criminals.

- All done. - Thanks.

It keeps life exciting, Carlos.

In the Congo, we had to be on our toes 24/7.

I'd rather see those guys up against the wall.

If I were the Minister of Justice, I'd bring back the death penalty.

Luckily, I'm just a humble mechanic on his way to retirement

and not the Minister of Justice. Can I have a piece of candy?

Thanks, Albert.

David?

David? Come on, son. We need to go.

Put that bike away.

Rebecca?

Rebecca?

You're not going dressed like that, are you?

Yes, I am.

- Metje's present for Saint Martin. - Shush, David might hear you.

He already knows.

He doesn't. Go and change out of that costume.

Tsk. Don't be ridiculous.

What do I not know?

- Where did you get that knife? - Petje's present for Saint Martin.

Right, let me do your hair.

You do it then. Don't make a mess. Thérèse, we need to go.

Which one?

Come on.

Albert?

And?

What do you think?

- Nice. Really nice. - The left one or the right one?

I have no other pairs that match.

- Can I drive? - Go on then.

Get out of there.

The First Lady comes first.

How are you?

Aren't your eyes beautiful?

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, I was fourteen in 1936

when my father died and I became the bread winner for a family of seven.

I did my duty, so unfortunately, my studying days were over.

But later on, I met my love, Metje, and that's how it all began.

We left for the Congo and started our first business.

Unfortunately, we had to get out of there quite unexpectedly

and once we got back to Aalst, we started from scratch again.

And here we are. 49 years later, in the AARC.

And I've had enough, as you can see.

That rhymes.

But I leave with full confidence.

With his ample expertise, Gilbert is the right man to take over the AARC.

Congratulations, Mr Director.

And the apple of my eye, Thérèse,

has been doing an excellent job with the bookkeeping

and is taking care of the customers, just like Metje did before her.

That's it.

Metje and I are going back to the Congo.

Are you crazy?

We're going to enjoy ourselves, in any case.

Where are the drinks?

Albert. Albert.

- Yes? - Dear Albert.

Dear grandfather of my children.

Trusty companion of Metje.

And the firm but fair boss of this great business.

And our good friend.

We all learned a lot from you.

It won't be easy to follow in your footsteps, but we appreciate your trust.

And we'll let you go now, Albert.

But first...

Chantal?

Aalst celebrates Carnival

We party every day

And rest assured

We won't die of thirst

Aalst celebrates Carnival

We party every day

And rest assured We won't die of thirst

Ladies and gentlemen!

Because we're all so happy you're leaving...

I'm sure you are.

...we all pitched in for a present.

- No way. - Yes, yes.

You can take it yourself. Go for it. Ah, Albert.

- How embarrassing. - Ah, yes, embarrassing. Albert.

- Here you go. - Open it! Open it! Open it!

A month's stay at a seaside hotel.

- Let's have a drink. - Cheers.

- David! Be careful! - David!

- David, come on! Gilbert, do something. - Leave him be.

David, concentrate. Good boy. Stay calm.

- That was impressive. - Thanks.

Yes, very impressive.

Chantal, your boobs, are they a size F or G?

What do you think?

Double G.

How about yours?

- Double nothing. - Hey!

Sweetie, don't worry. You'll have a growth spurt.

- What needs to grow? - Go away.

Smoking, are you?

David and Rebecca? Come! You can go ahead with Metje and Petje.

- We're going to Delhaize first. - Hurry up then.

- Come on, director. - I want to come.

- You come with us. - It's Saint Martin.

- Me too. - Go on then. See you later.

See you!

- What shall I make? - Silly question.

Tomato soup with meatballs!

Erm, the... Yes. Put it here.

See that? It's half past seven and those two surveillance cops have packed up

while the store is still open.

How do you know they're cops?

You can tell, Metje. From a mile away.

Goddammit.

A robbery at the Aalst Delhaize store.

The kids.

I'll get them.

Come on.

Sir? Do you live nearby? Take these kids to safety.

Get them out of danger! Go! Get out!

What about our kids? - I'm going back.

That boy.

I've just seen him.

What about that boy?

In the parking lot. Over there.

It's horrific.

Excuse me, can I just...

My kids are over there.

Carlos?

Carlos!

I need to get to my kids.

You're a dad, aren't you?

Out of the way. This way!

That's Gilbert.

Gilbert Van de Steen.

Sir, are you okay?

Yes.

That's my daughter. Oh God.

Thérèse.

Thérèse Van Den Abiel.

How am I going to tell her?

I just can't tell her this.

And now?

Poor darling.

Rebecca...

Rebecca Van de Steen.

That must be David.

It's not him.

It's not him.

He's still in surgery. I'll take you to the ICU waiting room.

Sister? Hilde De Moor, investigative reporter.

No, no. No press.

Hello, my boy.

I'm here. David?

Mommy and Daddy?

Are they here, too?

Yes.

Mom and Dad are in a different hospital.

And Rebecca?

She is, too.

Go back to sleep now.

I saw them.

Yes. Of course you did.

Dammit.