All language subtitles for Les.Rivieres.Pourpres.S01E03.FRENCH.BDRip.x264-COLL3CTiF-eng

Samuel?

Samuel?

Samuel!

THE CRIMSON RIVERS

THE DAY OF THE ASHES: PART I

Sorry.

Excuse me.

Commissioner Niémans?
I'm Lieutenant Thierry Chauveron.

I'll be helping you
with the investigation.

- Is there a car hire here?
- No need. I've got my car outside.

- I'd prefer to be independent.
- Well then, the car hire is that way.

- I thought there'd be someone with you.
- Well, it's just me.

You can brief me on the way.

So you know the prosecutor?

Yes. He's an old friend.

But that doesn't explain
why he put me on the case.

We have to determine
whether it's a murder case.

The brief said someone
had sabotaged the vault supports.

It's just a theory.

The main problem is that
Toschi was pastor at the Château.

- What's the Château?
- Not exactly how it sounds.

It's a winegrowing estate
run by a Protestant community.

They're known here
as God's Harvesters.

- Is it a cult?
- You could say that, yes.

They claim to be heirs
to the first Protestants of Alsace.

Behind the smiles,
they're very uncooperative.

They tried to prevent the autopsy.
It's against their beliefs.

They won't answer our questions.

And, as it's harvest time,
they don't want any hold-ups.

Any internal tension?

Hard to say
as they don't mix with outsiders.

They only employ outside help
for these few harvest days.

And what was Toschi doing
at the chapel at that time of day?

He went by every evening to see
how the work was coming along.

It was here that their ancestors
hid from persecution.

They plan to make it a memorial
to Protestant oppression

in the 16th century.

I see.

You removed the police tape?
Who authorised that?

Lieutenant Colonel Kirsch.

Forensics is finished.
The experts are done.

Samuel Toschi's been dead for over
a week. There was no reason to wait.

- Work's already resumed?
- It starts tomorrow.

The prosecutor gave the go-ahead.

According to the autopsy,
Toschi died under the rubble.

His ribcage was crushed
and his neck was broken.

- Are the frescos valuable?
- Not really.

They have more of a symbolic value.

Right, get a team together
and secure the area. OK?

I don't want anyone
snooping around the site.

- What about the work?
- Not my problem.

Nobody sets foot in here

until we've established
whether it's a crime scene.

- Mr Raynaud won't be happy.
- Who's he again?

I heard you were here.

My name's Joseph Raynaud.

I'm the one who runs
the Château Cooperative.

- Commissioner Niémans.
- I believe you're wasting your time.

I received the expert report
this morning.

It certifies that the vault's
collapse was an accident

caused by accelerated
limestone erosion.

Something to do with fumes from
the vines. I don't understand it all.

In any case, there's no malice
or negligence involved.

- How did you get this report?
- Our own experts did the work.

- Your experts?
- Yes, from our insurance company.

I take care of all
financial and legal matters.

I thought
they'd be best for the job.

- What the hell is this?
- Calm down, Commissioner.

Our experts are the best in their field.
Their assessment is legally sound.

I think we can consider the case
closed and you can go home.

Let me explain something, Mr Raynaud.

I've come from Paris
to wrap this case up.

I don't give a shit about your tricks.
I intend to do my job properly.

So your insurers are not going to
tell me the case is closed.

Got it?

You went in a bit strong.

The Château community
has a lot of power around here.

Who's funding
the chapel's restoration?

The Château, largely.

Along with the local council
and the archdiocese.

- Why the archdiocese?
- The chapel was Catholic originally.

Does the Château
have much money?

Its wine is very famous.

But all the income is used
to sustain the community.

We're coming up
to the vineyards now.

What on earth...

Are there a lot of people in the cult?

Not everyone you see here
is part of the community.

People come from all over
for the harvest.

But the rules are strict.
Everyone must dress the same.

Slow down, please.
Slow down!

All right. Pick up the pace
or we'll be here all night.

Where exactly are we going?

To see the coroner.
I need to talk to him.

I heard someone died.
Was it your boss?

I'm not part of the community.
I'm a seasonal worker like you.

But as far as I know,
there are no bosses here.

- But you heard what happened?
- Yes.

- So who's going to lead the cult?
- I told you, there's no boss.

And it's not a cult.

You ask too many questions.

Doctor Beaucarne?

- Yes?
- Commissioner Niémans from Paris.

I'm investigating the death
of Samuel Toschi.

- You're here as backup?
- No, it's about your report.

- Which part of it?
- It says he had a stone in his mouth.

- Yes. And?
- A stone from the collapsed vault.

I'd say so.

But there was no damage
to his mouth or teeth.

What do you want to know?

Surely a stone like that would do
serious damage to the face.

Yet his was perfectly intact.

So?

So perhaps the stone was put
in his mouth before the vault collapsed.

- You mean he was killed first?
- It's possible.

Of course.

Toschi could've been stoned to death
and then hidden underneath the rubble.

But then why leave a stone
in his mouth?

- A signature, maybe.
- Well, good luck.

My back's killing me.

- I feel like an 80-year-old.
- Welcome to the club.

- Is it your first day?
- Yes.

I hope the Château
has comfortable beds.

The seasonal workers stay at a camp
at the end of the main field.

Of course.

The Château
is just for cult members.

What is it?

I live at the Château.
I'm part of the cult, as you call it.

- Sorry.
- It's fine.

I'm Blandine.

Camille.

- Yes?
- There's someone here to see you.

I'll be right down.

Hello. I'm Commissioner Niémans.

Stéphane Bruneau.
You wanted to see me?

You're overseeing work
at the chapel?

Yes.

Have you read this?

- What is it?
- The expert report on the accident.

An accident?

- I don't think so.
- That's what the report says.

I'm a professional. I can assure you
the site was entirely safe.

If the vault collapsed,
it wasn't by accident.

Would you need expertise
to sabotage the supports?

Not necessarily.

- Do you work with your own men?
- Some are my own, yes.

- But most are from the community.
- The cult.

How they live is their choice.
They're good workers.

Are you close to any of them?

Absolutely not.
There's always a barrier.

An invisible wall.

Do you think one of them
could have done it?

No.

Toschi was like a god to them.

Did you know him?

He came by every day. A real pain
in the arse, always on my back.

But his enthusiasm was...

quite inspiring.

- Any valuables in the chapel?
- None.

The community's only asset
is its wine.

- Do you know Raynaud well?
- Another pain in the arse.

He's their businessman.

He's in charge
now that Toschi's dead, right?

It doesn't work like that.

All decisions are collective.
No one's in charge.

There's always a boss.

Raynaud claims
they chucked the rubble out.

We haven't spent months
restoring those frescos

for them to just be thrown out.

Would the cult have
any reason to hide it?

Do you have photos
of the fresco from that vault?

Yes.

Would you mind
emailing them to me?

OK.

- Hello.
- Commissioner?

I've looked into
the stone in the mouth.

Throughout history,
in Italy, Ireland and Poland,

bodies have been found buried
with stones in their mouths.

Seemingly to stop them from coming back
from the dead or biting the living.

- It's not a Christian ritual?
- No, more of a superstition.

There are many theories.

Have you made a list of looters
and art traffickers?

- I'm on it now. And... Commissioner?
- Yes?

You might want to touch base
with Lieutenant Colonel Kirsch.

He's not heard anything yet.
I think he's starting to get...

- nervous.
- I'll take care of it.

What's it like inside?

Only members have access.

- Do they have something to hide?
- All I know is the rules are strict.

I think it's pretty creepy.

I'm only here because
they pay the best wages.

Same, I'm just here for work.

And it makes a nice change
not having a mobile phone.

But I can't wait
to get rid of these clothes.

They're worried that
we might not dress modestly.

Yet they're happy to wave their arses
in the air when they pick grapes.

At least the clothes
solve that problem.

Hello.

- It's me.
- What's it like?

Little House on the Prairie
with barbed wire.

But I've connected with one
of the women from the cult.

- What's your verdict?
- Definitely murder.

A stone was put in Toschi's mouth
before he was buried.

What does that mean?

Someone's looking into it. For now,
it's just ghosts and vampires.

But I find it hard to believe
the cult's not involved.

Would they really demolish
their own chapel?

Just a wall.

The ceiling's covered in frescos.

Worthless Christian stuff
from the 19th century.

But the community was quick
to remove and hide the rubble.

- Because of the frescos?
- I don't know.

I met this one guy
by the name of Raynaud.

He looks like an overgrown
garden gnome. Have you seen him?

Yeah.

He just gave us newbies a lecture
on God, nature, wine and chastity.

It seems he's taken over from Toschi.
Though they say there are no bosses.

They don't want us here.
They're hiding something.

And they dumped the rubble
to get rid of evidence?

Or to hide it.

- Have you noticed anything?
- The estate's big.

All buildings are off limits.
I'll try to find a route over the wall.

- OK. Be careful.
- Yes, Mum.

Yeah, all right. Ciao.

- Everything OK, Commissioner?
- At ease, Lieutenant.

- I've come to help.
- To help?

Yes.

Still working on
the list of traffickers?

Yes.

Let's take a look, then.

- Come on!
- OK.

- Hello?
- Niémans.

I've found the missing rubble.

- Where are you?
- In a sort of cellar behind the farm.

They've reassembled
the fresco on the ground.

The fragments are numbered,
but they've lost the middle one.

Or someone stole it.

Head back to the camp.
It's not safe.

I'll call you tomorrow night.

OK.

- Who's that?
- Mathussène?

Not really a looter as such.

He deals in stolen goods
and makes his own sculptures.

But he specialises in religious art.

- Is Altkirch far?
- No, but it's way too late for a call.

We'd best get going, then.

There must be a bell or something.

What are you doing?

I'm climbing the fence.

This isn't good.

Mathussène!

Mathussène!

Hey!

We're police.
We'd like to speak to you.

Turn off that damn radio!

The bastard's taking off!

You go that way!

Hey, you all right?

Hey!

Why did you run off like that?

- Why did you run?
- I'm not running, I'm here!

Shit. All right, all right
I'll tell you who it is.

I said those fonts
weren't worth shit anyway.

What are you talking about?

There's been a number of baptism fonts
stolen from churches in Ungersheim.

I don't give a shit. I'm here
about the Rosheim fresco.

- What?
- The fresco in the Rosheim Chapel.

- Do you know it?
- Where the murder happened?

- A part's missing, what do you know?
- I had nothing to do with the murder!

Calm down, we know that.

But that fresco got a guy killed.
Was it worth it?

It would be, yeah.

Don't screw with me.
Those paintings are worthless.

Those on top, yes.
But not the ones underneath.

- Underneath?
- Christ, guys. Do your homework!

The 19th century artists whitewashed
the walls and painted over the top.

Rosheim Chapel

has frescos that date back
to the Renaissance.

It's these that they're restoring.
And they're worth a fortune.

Right.

Shut up!

Where's the nearest forensics lab?

Strasbourg. You think
there's still evidence at the chapel?

Call them first thing
and tell them I need a RayzorX.

- Will you remember?
- What is it?

A portable X-ray machine.
And tell them it's urgent.

And what should I tell
the colonel?

Tell him he'll have my report
in the morning. Don't worry.

I didn't know
we could smoke here.

- I wish I'd brought mine.
- Why wouldn't we be allowed?

We're not torturers.

- Sorry.
- It's OK.

Are you a Christian?

I went to church as a kid.

Still practicing?

No.

- Is that bad?
- No, no. Not at all.

Look around.

This land is our life.

I wouldn't change it for the world.

What are they doing?

After harvest ends
tomorrow evening,

we spend the night burning the waste.
Everything we used for the harvest.

The next day, we cover
the vines with the ashes

and pray for the coming year.

We call it the Day of the Ashes.

Here.

We're strange, right?

Completely nuts.

- Hello?
- This is Commissioner Niémans.

You've made a real fool of me.

- What are you talking about?
- The chapel's hidden frescos.

- That's a rumour.
- You haven't X-rayed the vaults?

What for? We're restoring
the ones on top.

- You're not exposing the hidden ones?
- No, not at all.

And again:
there's no proof they exist.

So you didn't look
under the plaster?

Usually I would,
but this time it wasn't possible.

Why not?

The Château guys
have strictly forbidden it.

What's this business with the frescos?

They're from the Renaissance.

But their message
might be more important.

What message?

I don't know. They were
quick to hide the rubble.

And it seems they want
the others to stay hidden.

These aren't the ones
being restored?

I believe the restoration
is to make sure they remain covered.

One of my sources says a fragment
was stolen. This could be our motive.

- A source?
- Yes.

- What source?
- I can't disclose that.

Who do you think you are,
exactly? A journalist?

May I remind you
that I'm in charge?

Yet you were about to close
a murder case without investigating it.

- You've read the experts' report.
- Read mine.

The case clearly involves
murder and theft.

So, if I were you, I'd go to the Château
and interview everyone there.

- What, a good hundred suspects?
- Yes, plus local art traffickers.

When harvest ends tomorrow, they'll
leave and we'll be up shit creek.

So I'd call in help
from Colmar and Strasbourg.

And try not to
let the press know it's a murder.

I'd like to work in peace.

I wasn't planning on advertising it.

Lord, bless these vines

that are the fruits
of the earth and of man's toil.

Visit these vines.
Protect them.

Through Christ our Lord,
He who lives on eternally.

In the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

- What?
- Nothing.

You shouldn't
let appearances fool you.

- We live in total freedom here.
- It doesn't seem that way.

All these rules come from us.
They're not imposed.

We want to live like this.
It's our choice.

- When did you join?
- I was born at the Château.

- You've never known any different?
- No.

I got married at 17.
Now I'm 29 and I have three kids.

We live by the rhythm
of the seasons here.

This is how we truly
unite ourselves with God.

Do your kids go to school?

Of course.
We have daycare and schools.

And all these families...
Are you all in dorms like us?

We share a farm
with two other families.

But how does it work with...

- With what?
- Well, with...

Don't worry, the farms are big!

But what about you?
Where are you from?

I'm a seasonal worker.

I work summers
on the southern terraces

and winters at the ski resorts.

This is my first
grape-picking season.

I'd never have guessed.

- But where's your home?
- I don't really have one.

You've never wanted to settle down,
find a husband, have kids?

I know at least two
who wouldn't say no.

Come to prayer this evening.
You'll understand us a bit better.

Maybe no one's here today.

Excuse me.

Hello, Sister.

I'm Commissioner Niémans.
I'd like to speak to Rector Kosynski.

- Concerning what?
- I just have a few questions.

Come in.

Two policemen
are here to see you.

Show them in.

Commissioner Niémans,
Lieutenant Chauveron.

- Thank you for seeing us.
- Of course.

How can I help you?

We're investigating
the murder of Samuel Toschi.

I thought it was an accident.

No, evidence points to a murder
with theft as the motive.

A murder?

- What's worth stealing at Rosheim?
- The frescos.

You'd have to take a whole wall.
Plus, they're not very valuable.

You're talking about the ones on top.
I'm talking about the ones underneath.

Have a seat.

Who told you about that?

It's common knowledge
among local historians.

Not historians, charlatans
and amateur treasure-hunters.

These frescos don't exist.
It's a completely unfounded rumour.

Have you ever checked?

I'm sure those in charge
of the restoration have done so.

If they had found anything,
I would've been informed.

What if those in charge are trying
to keep their existence secret?

Quite a sensational theory.

Again, if they existed,
I'd know about it.

Our diocese is funding
a third of the work.

And why, exactly?

Rosheim Chapel is part
of the region's Christian heritage.

But the current owners
are Protestant.

We want to create
a non-denominational place of worship.

- You don't mind having ties to a cult?
- I had a theology professor who said:

"The only difference
between a cult and a religion

is the number of followers."

I didn't expect your diocese
to show such tolerance.

It's our core mandate.

- Did you know Toschi well?
- Only from construction meetings.

- Any idea who might want him dead?
- None at all.

I would drop this idea
about hidden treasures in the chapel.

- You haven't asked how he was killed.
- They said he was crushed.

He was dead
before the wall collapsed.

The killer put a stone in his mouth.
Does that ritual mean anything to you?

No.

I'm sorry.

OK. Thanks for your time.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Thank you.

- Some bread?
- Yes, thank you.

National Gendarmerie!
ID check!

This is outrageous.

What is this?

They picked up everyone
who's had a run-in with the cops.

Basically all Romani.

This is all his fault.

- What's my fault?
- These shameful arrests.

This nonsense
about murder and theft.

- So why did you hide the rubble?
- What?

- Where's the missing piece?
- What are you talking about?

And the frescos under the whitewash,
what do they depict?

This is the guy
you want on your case?

The Commissioner's
just being thorough.

You've arrested
a bunch of Romani.

If your skin's a bit darker,
you're a suspect, is that it?

You're disgraceful.

If this stops us from finishing
the harvest tomorrow,

I'm taking you to court.

You do that.

The prosecutor says
to follow your instructions.

But I agree with Raynaud.
This is absurd.

I didn't tell you
to arrest all the gypsies.

When dealing
with theft and art trafficking,

you start by arresting
those with records, right?

- It's not my fault they're all Romani.
- Sure.

Where are you going now?
You call this cooperation?

If thou but suffer God
to guide thee

And hope in Him
through all thy ways

He'll give thee strength,
whate'er betide thee

And bear thee
through the evil days

Who trusts
in God's unchanging love

Builds on the rock
that naught can move

If thou but suffer God
to guide thee

And hope in Him
through all thy ways

He'll give thee strength,
whate'er betide thee

And bear thee
through the evil days

Who trusts
in God's unchanging love

Builds on the rock
that naught can move...

Camille?

These are my little angels.

- Rachel and Anna.
- Hello.

- You sang beautifully.
- Thank you.

Daniel, Barthélémy.

Come on!

I'm Camille. Nice to meet you.

They're both single.

It'll be a tough choice!

- You're getting married?
- We're not baptised yet!

- Really?
- We were not baptised as children.

We believe the decision to join the
community should be made as an adult.

- Have you decided?
- The baptism's tomorrow.

- You can come if you like.
- Can she come?

Well...

- Why not?
- I'd love to.

Great. I'll leave you
to get acquainted.

She's a cop.

We need to get rid of her.

Commissioner?

The machine you ordered is here.

Yes? Be there in an hour.

- Where are we going?
- You're staying here.

I'm going alone.

I'm the only one
authorised to use it.

- I know what I'm doing.
- But it's my responsibility.

Then write up a discharge.
I'll sign it and we're good.

- What about me?
- Go back to the station.

See if any gangs saw something
suspicious last night.

Be discreet.
We'll touch base tomorrow.

- Do you not have a stamp?
- A stamp?

I'm only teasing. I'll have it back
with you by breakfast tomorrow.

I hope you remembered
my cigarettes.

- I can't take any more roll-ups.
- I thought you'd quit.

There must be a secret meaning
behind these frescos.

- Is the killer part of the community?
- I don't know.

It's either a current member
seeking power

or a former member
seeking revenge.

I wish I could X-ray the rubble.

What?

Subtitles by MehrAzar