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 lowdown?

Follow me.

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

32 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 hardworking.

He never showed up late.

Yesterday afternoon

a young mountain climber found his body.

Why call in the Vice Squad?

We're not used to this kind of stuff.

Why?

His body was strung up there... At 150 feet.

You're Vice but not really Vice, is that it?

That's it.

We never dealt with you before.

You're lucky.

Happy is he who penetrates the hidden causes of things

What's this college doing here?

No ordinary college:

it provides its own electricity, its own water.

It even has a hospital.

1200 students. 100 professors and researchers.

One of Europe's oldest universities.

In case of snow storm, 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 Bill 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 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 fetal position.

What position?

The fetal. Like a fetus 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 cauterized 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 analyzed.

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 5 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 100 mile radius.

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

Talk to possible witnesses and Callois' colleagues.

Anyone who knew his itinerary.

Find out where it rained in the past two days.

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

Who's there?

Who's there?

Who is it?

Why won't you talk?

Doctor!

What's going on?

Get the dog 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' death.

I heard about it.

How awful.

Did you know him?

I knew 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 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!

Robo Cops! "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!

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

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...

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.

- Kiddy 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?

Her mother was crazy.

She said the devil killed her kid.

The devil?

You heard me.

Where are your skinheads?