Original subtitles

Previously on The Trigger...

We can only wonder what a football player,

violent and racist, will find as an excuse.

She’s looking for a fight.

She’s using you to win support. But Kenza Chelbi is using you too.

He’s a “negmarron”, a slave who broke free.

The players leave racism in the locker room.

A headbutt, a racist insult, you don’t lift a finger.

- It’s your duty to act. - What should I do?

- Do you know about preliminary inquiries?

- I’ve picked Fode. - The preliminary inquiry ups the pressure.

What’s happening is awful.

Fode is the new battleground in the identity war.

The brittle, haughty, even racist Cruella is Kenza Chelbi.

Imane!

Following an arson attack at the home of Fode Thiam, police...

This is for the bro who finds whoever burned Fode’s place!

The fucking racist has a black Kawasaki licence plate 91.

The son of a bitch wears a black helmet. Cops are doing nothing.

We have to handle it, bros.

This dough is for whoever finds him. So get hunting!

Bring me that bastard!

#blackhelmet

We’re going to find that bastard biker!

#Manhunt

Why be armed if you’re a faggot?

We’re not afraid to shoot and run.

Before you know it, we’re off. All our worries gone.

I speak with bullets.

I’m so pissed off. Can’t chill no more.

If it gets bad, there's the 9mm.

Yo, motherfucker! Come here!

That’s your bike? That’s your bike!

Fuck you. Take off your helmet!

It’s a Paki!

Go on, beat it. Slave! Piss off!

Judicial error!

The culprits will be found.

Right now, we call for calm.

Fake rumours are rampant on social media...

Burn it!

The bastard’s exiting D line.

Hey, motherfucker!

THE TRIGGER

Hello.

I’m sorry. Yes, speaking.

Yes, she’s with me.

Of course.

The Interior Ministry want to see us.

Thanks.

You knew Fode was in Dubai?

- No. - Yes.

Get your stories straight.

This isn’t an interrogation. Mr Garnier’s a bit blunt.

Which is why he’s an outstanding chief of police.

So, you knew?

After the fire, I suggested he go away for a bit.

We had to get him out.

So he got out. Good. Now you can help us.

- It’s an honour. - We want Fode to call for calm.

Last night was bad, but tonight...

Sam can go to Dubai today.

I’d contact him myself, but there’s that other case...

An inquiry over racial abuse in public.

The minister could be accused of interference.

- Can you persuade him? - No.

9 - Fode is brave, humble and respectful.

He doesn’t want polemics.

Our society needs more Fodes.

So what’s the problem?

People threw Molotov cocktails at his home with his wife and child inside.

That’s the problem.

You’ve seen the “black helmet” and “91” licence plate fake news?

It started with a post by a certain Erwan Oudin.

He’s twelve years old. He wanted more followers.

Tonight, more kids will give fake tips and innocents will be hunted down.

A call for calm is the only way to avoid tragedy.

I disagree.

- What’s going on? - You’re in a car.

You’re a major polluter. These days, that’s bad.

Ms Kinsky? Internal Security.

- work there. - There’s a protest outside.

We’ll take you round the back.

- Like a criminal? - Please wait there, ma’am.

- Let me through. - They object to you.

Then move them. I have to work.

Ms Kinsky, wait a moment, please.

Why the protest, Mr de Gamey?

Kinsky sows the seeds of violence, she can reap the harvest.

Who smears our names each night?

It’s Kinsky! Down with her!

When there’s been a police blunder only the victim’s family can call for calm.

- It’s a classic. - Truely. It works in the projects.

With packs waiting for the leader to cry “stop.” But this is wider society.

We must address everyone. And society’s leader is you, Minister.

- What do you think I should do? - A full curfew tonight.

Dubai? What are you playing at? Why didn’t you tell me?

It’s Kinsky! Down with her!

Demonstration at the Theatre de I’Aube

Get lost!

Racist!

Beat it!

Get lost! You’ve got no business here.

Get the fuck out! Racist.

Fuck off, bitch.

Stop this! What are you doing?

Not so sassy now.

Get lost.

Everyone hates Marie Kinsky!

Are you okay?

Minister,

a crisis functions like a living organism.

It follows the same cycle. Birth is the headbutt.

Infancy is the burnt jersey. Adolescence is arson, a manhunt.

And adulthood? What then?

You know... “It soon became impossible to converse reasonably with anybody.

“The most peaceful were drunk on the smell of blood.

“Friends transformed overnight into fanatic patriots.

“Conversations ended with crude accusations.

“Nothing remained but to withdraw into one’s self and keep silent.”

Stefan Zweig’s World of Yesterday. A must-read.

It recounts the fall of our most civilised society ever.

Vienna in the early 1900s.

The heart of European culture razed by hatred of “the other.”

World War I, then Nazism.

Adulthood for the crisis.

I’ll advise the president about the curfew.

- Minister, I don’t... - She’s right. First the manhunt, now this.

I must strike hard, show I grasp the gravity of the situation.

The curfew says “Stop.”

People want public authority.

And sanctions against agitators on both sides

to show they’re treated equally.

- We have the guy who burned the jersey. - While Marie Kinsky foments unrest?

She’s not the arsonist. We have nothing.

With recent events she’ll play victim.

- Gentlemen. - Goodbye.

- Why did you leave France? - Good question.

To drink shots, honey!

Seriously, life’s totally tax-free here.

In France,

the state takes 50% of my earnings

for my work as an influencer!

- Praise God, it’s good here. - And you?

- A holiday? - No, work. I’m an academic.

- Like a teacher. - No way! You’re a teacher?

- heard “epidemic"! - Seriously, you don’t look it!

You’re sexy...

- Super hot. - It’s true.

Ladies, I heard that Fode Thiam is in Dubai.

If I get a selfie, I’ll be a star in Paris!

If I bag him, I’ll give him seven kids!

Do you know where he’s staying?

- The Palm. - Footballers go to the Palm.

Yeah, the Palm.

I stayed there once. Cost more than my butt-lift!

The minister is highly intelligent.

When did you realise you were super smart too?

- What do you mean? - Dad told me you were gifted.

Don’t always believe Dad. There’s no such thing as “gifted.”

But it can be tested. How can you test what doesn’t exist?

Those IQ tests are a scam.

A made-up construct to measure a certain type of intelligence.

So you didn’t take any IQ tests?

- Yes, I did. - And?

It’s a made-up construct to measure a certain type of intelligence.

Why do it if it’s a scam?

I was having a tricky time. This “gifted” thing is nonsense.

Here.

- have lots of friends now. - Like who?

Well, Tristan, Medhi, Justine...

You see them outside work?

Yes, when you’re with your dad.

I still want to take the test.

Tell your dad to stop using you to pressure me...

I’ll tell him myself.

It wasn’t Dad. I pushed him to talk to you.

He told me to drop it. He won’t go behind your back.

And I can’t do the test on my own.

So I’m stuck until I turn 18.

Curfew, an air of deja vu

It’s the minister.

Very few incidents last night.

Thanks for your professionalism.

Let’s meet soon. Goodbye.

You haven’t showered yet?

If you’re late for school, the test is off.

Seriously?

Wow, first cuddle since... fifth grade!

Don’t go overboard.

It doesn’t force you to fix the world, or save humanity.

No more or less than anyone else.

You’re allowed to live a normal life,

have the right to fail.

- Okay? You promise? - promise.

Go on, get dressed.

Go on!

To tomorrow’s world!

Thank you for your trust.

The World of Yesterday

The Minister of the Interior

Hello, Fode.

I’m Kenza Chelbi. I messaged you when you left the team.

Hello. I wanted to reply, but...

With all you’ve been through, you’ve had other worries.

How’s your family? Holding up?

Yeah. We’re waiting it out.

Racing gave me the time I needed.

Good. It’s tense back in Pars.

I came 5000 kilometres for a few minutes of your time.

- A waste of time. - Five minutes?

- don’t do politics. - A minute for each thousand.

- Can we chat informally? - Sure.

Do you remember Tommie Smith and John Carlos?

The black Americans who raised a fist at the Olympics.

- Sure. - Know what became of them?

No.

They were suspended for life.

That’s screwed

Smith was fired from his job.

He tried to work as a garbageman and ended up subbing as a PE teacher.

John Carlos tried and failed to get construction jobs.

As soon as a boss saw his name, it was over.

He hit rock bottom when his wife killed herself.

- Fuck. - You know why?

They didn’t do politics. They didn’t fully commit.

They did. The Black Panther salute.

- That was for civil rights. - It’s the same.

No. Marching with whites who want black votes is fine.

But the police still kill blacks. You can’t sit on the fence, Fode.

- This isn’t the States. - No. It’s France.

A country that created laws to keep us as “natives”.

While upholding the Declaration of Human Rights.

- respect your battle. - Our battle.

I’m not fighting for me. I’m overqualified.

I could have played along, been the token Arab on prime-time TV.

But that would mean abandoning our people.

We must stick together, Fode.

Sure. But I score goals. This isn’t me.

Do you understand?

No problem, Fode.

- Thank you for listening. - No problem.

Anyway, just remember.

Wee expect nothing from you. We ask for nothing.

But if you ever need anything... we’ll be there for you.

Good luck, Fode.

Censors have always tried to curb free speech,

sometimes with violence.

Moliere’s Tartuffe, Genet’s Screens,

and now my little show.

Cancel culture, as we call

I tell my assailants, keep on hating me like I hate you.

You don’t have to like everyone, but remember Voltaire...

“I disagree with what you say, but I’d die for your right to say it.”

And to my friends

my heartfelt gratitude for your messages of support.

Interior Ministry Director of Communications

Ten days isn’t so bad.

Plumbing work can take for ever.

I’m cross we have to stop the show too.

But we can’t risk the sewer pipe bursting.

Was it anti-racist lawyers? Anonymous threats?

You sold me out. You cut off my mic.

- Who’s behind this? - The ministry. Happy now?

They’re bluffing. They’ve got nothing on us.

They can’t claim breach of the peace. You don’t close over a protest.

- Call the Interior Ministry. - It was the Culture Ministry.

They’re not stupid. It’s not a head-on attack.

Ever heard of live act regulations? It’s 151 pages long.

They can take their pick. Disabled access, safety alarms...

You thought they’d let you fight for free speech?

France is corrupted. We get screwed by regulations.

I negotiated ten days and we’re lucky.

Come on, I’ve always supported you.

I’ve lost loads of acts from backing you.

But I won’t die for you.

Ten days is easy.

The agency has become a football bar?

We’re just waiting for the room to clear.

- They’re all black. - It’s a non-mixed survey.

A pig?

No, I’m kidding.

- More like a cat, for sweetness. - An eagle, for its hugeness.

- What's going on? - It’s incredible.

I tried a classic control group based on earnings, background, age...

Failure.

As soon as we evoke identity, they either clam up or scream rhetoric.

- Why? - No idea.

In a mixed group, people are afraid of cutting communal ties.

There’s an invisible pressure.

So I tried non-mixed surveys.

- Which client is this for? - The minister.

The curfew didn’t end this crisis, it just bought us time.

Wee need answers, so we have to do surveys.

I don’t get it. The minister ordered this study?

- With a contract? - No, but he wants to meet with me.

- So there’s a date set? - I’m waiting for him to call back.

In that case, we wait before doing any more surveys.

Ministers are great until you mention the fee.

Leaving already?

Fode’s back. He’s been summoned over Article 40.

No way. Our contract with them is on standby.

You can’t focus on that...

They’re the same issue, the identity crisis. Fode’s patient zero.

It’s important. Heard about Marie’s theatre?

- Building works, boom! - And the banks?

The French Banking Federation, we have a paid contract.

Remember we’re a business. You’re set for our next meeting?

- Yes. - Can I see?

I haven’t written the report, but it’ll be quick.

First thing Monday morning.

- Why not keep doing videos while it’s closed? - The theatre gets how many views?

- 900,000. - And other videos?

- 300,000. - There you go.

A tent outside the theatre could get some buzz.

I’m a brand.

A brand has codes and a reputation. Do supermarkets sell Vuitton? No.

So I don’t perform in a tent, like some street performer.

- We’re stymied by a real opponent. - The minister?

A minister smart enough to risk a curfew and fuck me up with plumbing doesn't exist.

Someone’s been pulling strings.

But who?

Fode’s new house has CCTV and guards round-the-clock.

Great. Until the hearing, we leave him be. Unless he needs something.

No talking to the press and no training.

You’re not serious?

He had a break, but it’s back to training now.

- We agreed. - He’s back for the hearing.

It’ll be tough for him, so no pressure.

- Eight more days is nothing. - This is endurance training.

You want him to get injured? When we lose, it’s on her.

Let’s go! Try to keep the ball!

He’s stressed about the Champions League qualifiers.

Athletes’ bodies are finely tuned. Stop too long, they can break.

This can’t end with Fode injured.

Meaning the 30 million you’ll lose if Racing doesn’t qualify?

It’s crucial. That money is life or death for Racing.

Goodbye to the new stadium. Do you get it?

Many people want this land. Vernay above all.

- Developers, institutions...

Land just outside Paris is hot property. We lose, Racing is over.

I have a proposal.

We send Fode a training program and a gift for his daughter.

He stays away, but starts working out.

- Okay. - Does that work?

- All good? - Yes.

This way.

Jean-Xavier Vernay. Delighted to meet you.

Likewise.

Usually I stay strictly out of politics.

It’s very bad for business. Especially in my case.

A developer on bad terms with half of France’s politicians!

Suicidal. Guaranteed bankruptcy.

But when I saw them attack you... Such brutality. Outrageous.

They’re cowards. Noisy, but they back down quickly.

We may not always agree, but I wanted to show support.

- Free speech is vital to democracy. - Thanks, that means a lot.

I enjoy your shows. Especially on Racing.

- A football fan? - No.

But I am a fan of the location of their future stadium.

Seventy-five acres next to Paris has great potential.

I tried to buy it recently.

An eco-district project. Gardens, offices, housing, daycare...

But Francois Marens and his proposed stadium won the bid.

Exactly, but things have changed. Largely thanks to you.

Racing is caught up in a giant media storm.

Fode Thiam will soon be tried

and their greatest financial asset will be devalued.

If they miss out on the Champions League, they’ll be bankrupt.

Unable to finance the stadium so you can buy the club and the land.

There’s still one key game against Turkey.

In football, there’s always a hint of uncertainty that defies logic.

The club’s mood before a big match is very important.

If you could focus on Racing in your shows

leading up to the match...

I’m not here to give you advice. You’re the artist.

Culture should never be exploited for profit.

Of course.

But at times, art and business converge naturally.

To help them converge naturally, we could, of course,

consider a discreet financial contribution.

Of course, being vital to democracy, free speech can’t be bought.

But then,

my public loves my Racing quips so why deprive them of that pleasure?

- It’s my duty as an artist. - Praise be to your public.

Praise be the natural convergences converging naturally.

- Nice garden. - Yeah, it’s a bit smaller.

A playhouse? A playhouse!

Ribbons and all!

- It’s from Mr Marens. - Like it?

It’s kind of small, isn’t it?

- Lots of natural light. - Yeah, I like it.

- Where’s my room? - Over there.

There’s my bed. And the Lion King!

We’ll be happy here.

I feel it.

The problem is that algorithms segment society.

If it stayed virtual, it wouldn’t matter.

But as the virtual intertwines with reality,

public debate becomes generalised conflict.

There’s no common language. For me...

Sorry, I must be boring you.

Not at all. It’s fascinating.

It’s rare to be so passionate about work.

- You’re passionate too. - I’m mostly a pain.

No.

Endless talk about the advantages of a 4-4-2 diamond

over a 4-3-3 with a false nine...

You know false nines? No.

It’s not very stimulating for your breakfast partner.

- Well... - That’s what my ex-wife thought.

Thanks.

That’s life.

You know Nick Hornby’s novel Fever Pitch?

No.

About a guy who only remembers his wedding anniversary

because of an Arsenal match that day.

Well, that’s me. Just replace Arsenal with Racing.

- See? I’m boring you. - No!

What about your private life, what’s your deal?

- Sorry, that’s intrusive. - Not at all.

I’m divorced.

Actually, we weren’t married, but I’m... I’m single.

- Really? - Yes.

So why wait? Start your own agency!

- With your talent, you’d be a hit. - hate admin. I’d go bankrupt.

I tell all entrepreneurs this. It’s super simple.

- Choose a good banker. - Shit!

Shit! I’m sorry.

- Did I say something? - Not at all.

A work emergency, I have to...

This was great. I mean, it was perfect.

Just too short. By that, I mean...

I’ll call you.

Sorry.

Speak soon?

Okay?

Trust in Insurance

Proposals

Find “Insurance” Replace with “Banks”

What the fuck? Fode!

- What’s wrong? - Look.

Fuck!

“This is our home” Signed the toubabs

- I’ll call the cops. - What will they do?

- It’s a break-in. - Did they find the arsonists?

They’ll put some guys out front.

Fuck.

Sure, it’s the subject of my book.

Race is a theoretical battlefield.

Using the word “race” is not racial violence.

It’s crucial to considering freedom, equality and difference.

By which I mean the social construct of race

as a product of colonial history.

- Thank you. - You’re welcome.

Barbara Dargiles, journalist.

I’d like to talk to you for an article for Liberation.

A source told me Fode was stopped by the police

and harassed on the day of the awards.

- Any comment? - What source?

Judicial confidentiality doesn’t exist.

If it comes from the courts, go ahead.

Do you think the police check is a sign of systemic racism?

No. Endemic police racism.

Systemic racism goes beyond that, it’s everywhere.

Even in private relationships.

Fode’s act wasn’t about the police check. He’s used to that.

- It was because of systemic racism. - What are you referring to?

- Pascal Terret. - His coach?

He told millions of people he left racism “in the locker room.”

Off pitch, it’s okay to be racist?

Not pointing at you, but how come not one journalist picked up on that?

Very Pulitzer.

Yet it’s all there. Take Pierre Laceux’s work.

Sociologists are out of fashion, fine.

Now there’s a researcher

who studies domination patterns in football

and yet...

Not one interview.

That's systemic racism too. Making facts invisible.

I deconstruct conscious and unconscious bias

at the root of racist prejudices in football.

Can you give an example?

Two centre-backs. One white, one black.

The kick-off goes to the white player, allegedly more technical and rational.

Or black strikers are often relegated to playing defensive midfielder

for their physical strength.

In reality, it’s bestialisation. Animalising black bodies.

Is that the case when Pascal Terret puts Fode in box-to-box?

Yes. At least unconsciously.

So, he accuses them of rigging the awards, to...

- What did you say? - Deflect the topic of racism?

Maybe. Honestly, I don’t know.

Is Pascal Terret racist?

- Off the record? - Of course.

Racism, like #MeToo, can surprise us.

Aggressors can be good people in other respects.

The Terret case... a code of silence?

I hold my breath. Don’t trust those bastards.

You take shit. We take the real stuff.

75 is the Champions League, 91 is the Champions League,

92 is the Champions League, 93 is...

It’s a tradition. We arrive in a club, we sing.

I chose MHD because one, I like him.

Two, it’s got a mad beat.

- What’s going on? - Coach, we’re singing!

Singing? We used to sing Michel Sardou!

He mentioned Michel Sardou.

Michel Sardou, the pure essence of baby-boomer France...

Box-to-Box or Animalising Black Bodies

Pascal Terret, Michel Sardou Fan

Okay, guys.

Today, we’re working on lines,

passing and automating movements.

The basics.

What is a banker? Someone you ask for something.

We’re not here to make you popular, but respected, which is more important.

Compared to our European neighbours, we’re a bit behind on that.

A small French weakness. But trends are everything.

Since the subprime crisis, that image has improved.

As you can see...

Sorry. Sam?

- There’s a glitch in the slides. - have to go.

What?

I’ll be right back.

You rehashed an old file? How the fuck could you do that?

- have to get to the club. - You’re joking!

- It’s a crisis, I must talk to Fode. - Wait, wait!

The only thing that matters is the timing.

Is this a prelude or the tipping point?

I meant it about Zweig. Public debate is toxic.

Radical versus radical...

Listen to me, that’s enough. Did the minister reply?

Let me go, this is important!

If he gets it, why take more than a week to reply?

Your minister took you for a ride, that’s all.

- Yes, I read it. - It’s horrible, demolishing.

- Isn’t it? - don’t know. The fact is, it’s scary.

- Fode, how long have you known Pascal? - Almost ten years.

Is the Pascal you know in the article?

No.

Lies strung together don’t become the truth.

It just makes a bigger lie.

Support him. This is your moment.

Okay, I’ll do it now.

Okay, thanks.

Support

- Should it be “support” or “supporter”? - What’s the context?

It’s neither.

Today, the line in the sand is simple.

You have victims and culprits.

Between you and Terret, the question is who’s racist?

The article shows it’s him, so you can’t say it’s not true.

Not the day before your hearing.

Protect yourself. You’re in legal danger, not Terret.

He’s having a bad Twitter day.

Hello. You must be Fatou.

- Pleased to meet you. - Your three guardian angels...

- Hello, Mrs Thiam. - Or security staff, but it’s less poetic.

Keep an eye on your personal effects. After all, they’re “immigrants...”

Friend, do you hear the dark flight of crows over our lands

Friend, do you hear the muffled cries of our land in chains?

Ahoy, partisans, workers, labourers, hear the alarm bell ring!

Tonight, the enemy will know the price of blood and tears.

Here, everyone knows what they want, what they’ll do when they pass.

Friend, if you fall,

from the shadows another steps into your place...

Fuck.

- Still nothing. - Me neither.

None of them are picking up. So it’s a strategy.

We’ll have to manage without Fode.

One... a press release supporting Pascal.

Two... we ridicule the article.

Is everyone who sings Michel Sardou a racist?

Three, we upend their argument.

Pascal put Fode in box-to-box because he’s the best tactician.

It’s not bestialisation.

Enough. I resign.

- What? - resign.

No way.

Know what we call an article like that? A shitstorm.

It’s a pile of shit beside a fan. We wait it out.

There’s no proof. It’s a smear campaign.

I’ve lost them. I saw it in their eyes.

Yasser, Toufik, Souley, Yohan, Moussa... I saw it.

You quit, they’ve won. Agree.

But that’s politics, not football.

It doesn't matter if I’m racist or not. What matters is the club.

I was hired to help them win.

A coach can’t do that if he’s lost the players.

The team can’t win unless I go.

Minister, it’s Sam Berger from Kairos.

Following up on your offer to meet. Are you available soon?

I’ll wait to hear from you. Thanks.

Minister?

I have a slot at 11.30 or I’ll be back on Tuesday.

No, 11.30 a.m. is...

- Great. - Adam!

Child Psychologist

- Wait. - Leave me alone.

- told you it means nothing. - Stop saying “I told you so.”

Listen, those numbers and logic tests are fluid.

There are so many variables. Tiredness, stress, self-confidence...

Intelligence is much more than aligning various symbols.

I wanted to be like you.

It’s no good being like me.

I’d rather go to Dad’s. Can I?

You like.

I asked you to stop by because I have some good news.

We've caught the bikers who burned Thiam’s home.

Two wackos from some minor right-wing group.

- Okay, great. - You could be more excited!

What I mean is that this is important, but it’s not over.

The fire has just reignited.

Racing’s coach quit,

Fode is unreachable and did you see Marie Kinsky’s show?

- It’s foul. - Excesses are petty.

Today, all discourse is excessive. That is what’s so dangerous.

I’m conducting surveys on identity and culture wars.

Everyone feels victimised

and justified in committing radical acts.

Many are enraged, others feel forced to choose sides.

- The worst is yet to come. - You’re being excessive.

It was you who said we have to take the middle road.

And it works. The curfew boosted my approval rating.

You should have seen the president’s envy at our last cabinet meeting.

You’ve defined my new image.

I’m now the sane middle ground between two sides of extremists.

Neither side can gain power. Meanwhile, I reap the benefits...

Excuse me, I have to take a call. Yes, I’m listening.

How many?

Where?

From the projects?

The World of Yesterday

And the police?

Marie, are you coming

Are you okay?

What are you reading?

Zweig’s World of Yesterday. It’s like futuristic sci-fi.

“It soon became impossible to converse reasonably with anybody.

The most peaceful were drunk on the smell of blood.

“Friends transformed overnight

“into fanatic patriots.

“Conversations ended with crude accusations.

“Nothing remained

“but to withdraw into one’s self and keep silent.”

No, Coach, it’s free for toubabs here.

- Here’s your tea. - Thanks.

Come in.

It took you long enough.