The Negotiator (Il Nibbio)

In 2003 a coalition led by the U.S.A. enters war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq.

The country is occupied.

There are daily attacks on military contingents

and kidnappings of journalists and humanitarian operators.

Like other nations in the coalition,

Italy pays a high price in terms of human lives.

Iraqi Resistance regards the Western world as enemies.

Baghdad, March 4, 2005

Hi, Kilian.

- The car? - Ready.

A Toyota Corolla, the most anonymous here.

We have identity badges and I got satellite phones from the Americans.

- It's just Kilian and me. - Okay.

The numbers are saved.

- Where are we? - South Baghdad.

This is the Route Irish, the Vernon is down there...

Nicola!

We're heading to the appointment district, Mr. Director, sir.

We should arrive in...

Twenty minutes.

I'll call when we get there.

Okay, talk to you later.

They've landed?

They're in the car, headed to the appointment.

- Where? - Al-Mansour.

I'm going to the Capitol Seat.

Turn on the hazard lights so they'll notice us.

We're half an hour early.

Nicola, it's me, we received the tip from an informant who is in Baghdad.

He says that the meeting place is another.

If we go there we will end up in an ambush.

28 DAYS EARLIER

- Here are the last things. - What are they?

Ski boots, eh?

Why do we always bring all this if we can rent it?

- Then why did we buy it? - I wonder that too.

Right.

- Hand me that? - See Pepe?

C'mon, let's go!

We did it.

Forget anything?

You're sure? Let's go.

We have arrived.

BAGHDAD - REFUGEE CAMP

- Hello. - Hello.

Documents.

- Who's she? - An Italian journalist.

She works for a friendly paper, Il Manifesto.

Wait here.

- Park over there. - Thank you.

BAGHDAD - U.S.A. COMPOUND

Heads up, soldiers!

Go, go, go, go.

Come on, faster!

We don't have all day! Move, move!

Those bombs melt skin, flesh, muscles.

This only leaves bones.

- Giuliana, it's late, we have to go. - Just a second.

Did you see this with own eyes? Tell me.

Giuliana, we had only half an hour!

We have to go, Giuliana!

Okay, let's go.

Barbara, it's Giuliana. I'm running a little late.

Are you already at lunch?

I'm on my way.

- Why can't we have a dog? - We'll walk him.

I know how it'll go.

You'll do it the first month, then every morning and evening...

I said we'll do it!

- C'mon! - I promise.

- We promise! - Promises, oaths!

My friend Francesca always walks her dog. If she does it, so can I.

Director, sir!

Nicola, bad news, they kidnapped another journalist in Baghdad.

- How long ago was that? - About half an hour ago.

You have to handle this for me.

I need a few hours to get back to Rome.

I understand... make it as fast as you can.

Alright.

I'm sorry, the vacation

is postponed, I have to get back to the office.

- Meaning? - Postponed?

Why? Tell us why?

A problem at work. They need me.

They suddenly need you?

He's not talking.

How is it, with you, we can never plan?

Things are all so mysterious, never an explanation!

- Never a word. - Silvia, stop!

That's no way to talk to your father.

Okay, it's important, but you could say a word or two.

At least to the kids.

We'll talk about it later.

ROME - IL MANIFESTO HEAD OFFICE

- Hello? - I heard Giuliana's been kidnapped.

I want to know if it's true.

COMPANION TO GIULIANA SGRENA

I'll put Polo on.

Gabriele?

Pier's on the phone, he just heard about Giuliana.

Put him on.

EDITOR OF IL MANIFESTO

Pier!

Hi.

Yes...

We checked it out, the news is true.

I'm sorry.

Pier?

- Where's Chiarini? - In Jordan.

Find him, his contacts might be useful.

I'll call Pier back, he's not answering.

Out, all of you!

Fast!

Good, it seems you speak Arabic.

What? I don't understand...

- The TV says you know Arabic. - I don't understand...

On the TV! You talk Arabic.

- No, I don't speak... - You're a spy.

Absolutely not... I'm a journalist! I swear... I don't speak Arabic.

Shut up!

Go there!

If you want to kill me, do it now.

I know you won't let me go, I have seen your faces.

Do it now!

- Antonio, make sure Nicola eats. - Bye, kids.

In emergencies, he even forgets to drink.

I'll see to it, ma'am.

Go, bye.

Bye.

See? She's smiling. He ruins our vacation, she's smiling.

Have we got everything?

ROME - FORT BRASCHI MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SISMI HEAD OFFICE

The first thing is to find a channel.

Previous kidnapping channels haven't always proven valid.

Nibbio, you know that. Baldoni's dead.

With Baldoni the channel wasn't the problem, you know better than me.

There were communication problems.

The ones we've used have always proven valid.

Instead I think it's pinpointing the prison via the CIA and attempting a blitz.

I can move with my team right away.

If there's a chance to negotiate, let's negotiate.

I agree with Nicola.

You have carte blanche.

You actually saw her?

Yes. The other day when we made the exchange.

- I came immediately to Baghdad. - You're in Baghdad now?

Yes, but Secret Services want me on a plane to Rome.

- Why? - My safety!

I've been in the Middle East for ages,

I may be the only one with contacts to get to Giuliana.

Anyway, be careful.

Gabriele, don't worry! I'll call when I dig up something.

I have to try all paths. Bye.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

I'll get my suitcase

and be right with you.

Thank you.

C'mon, the latest update, the Chief's coming.

Nothing new but we're following closely.

Here I am.

- Hi. - Let's take stock of the situation.

We have news of movement in the district where Sgrena was kidnapped.

The same area where journalist Florence Aubenas was kidnapped last month.

- You contacted French Intelligence? - Yes, but they have no other information.

What happened to her driver and interpreter?

They were both spared, the interpreter is totally trustworthy,

all the journalists know and trust him.

The CIA questioned the driver, it seems he's clean.

We'll take the Sunni religious channel used in previous kidnappings.

Find the Urema leader: Al Kubaisi.

- I'll call right now. - Then pass him to me.

Nicola, there's something else!

Il Manifesto correspondent, Chiarini,

we told him to come back, but he's vanished.

That's all we need!

Omero, call Tiber, tell him to find him.

Right away.

You're sure my car's okay?

Don't say I don't care about you, Ryan!

Don't complain.

I don't like you, Mohamed, not one bit!

The car's perfect!

You'll see!

Hello?

Hi Tiber, it's Omero.

Hi, Omero. How are things?

- Fine, thanks. - What is it?

You have to help me find a certain Stefano Chiarini.

He's a journalist there in Baghdad.

Can you? It's urgent.

Okay, I'll look for him.

DAY TWO OF IMPRISONMENT

One,

and two.

- of the last two days. - Okay. Perfect.

- Here it is. - Thank you.

Take it all to the Chief.

Here you are, Jeco. Is this complete? Is it everything?

Yes!

For you.