Original subtitles

WWW.MY-SUBS.COM

JULY 1993

If you were a dentist or a lawyer,

you'd be sitting behind a mahogany desk now,

instead of here with me ordering cheap egg rolls.

I hate mahogany.

But I love the smell of old oil in the morning.

Vegetable rice.

- Not a moment of peace. - Shut up!

LOOK WHAT'S IN THE BOX

- We got a letter. - Fascinating.

Someone put it in Tomek's mailbox. It was written by Zenon Nowak.

That Zenon Nowak?

That Zenon Nowak or the other... Who is he?

Zenon Nowak AKA Hycel.

Apprehended at the end of the nineties,

sentenced for one murder but suspected of at least several others.

All of sexual nature. The victims were all young men.

It was a very famous case.

Zenon Nowak claims he's innocent.

I've never met anyone in prison claiming they were guilty.

If I remember correctly, Kraszewski was on that case.

- He was running the investigation? - No.

He was in charge of logistics.

He was an errand boy for the detectives,

buying them smokes and stuff...

"I decided to write 'cause I read an interview with a witness in my case

who says he doesn't remember much because it happened a long time ago.

I believe that he didn't remember back then

and only said what he was told to."

- Who is that witness? - Wait.

- Come on. It'll be tomorrow soon. - Wait!

"Please, help me. I know that my case is hopeless

because all the possible instances have already sentenced me,

but maybe if you talked to this witness. His name is Mariusz Rogalski.

You are my only hope for not staying in this place

until God switches off my light. Zenon Nowak."

I think we shouldn't do it.

He's been on the inside for 18 years and he got bored.

He read about us and figured that he'll have some fun with us.

What do we have to lose? I'd check that Rogalski out.

But why? Isn't that a waste of time?

Time is one thing. But why would one want to get into such a cesspool?

- Stick to your exercises, mom. - I agree.

I'd rather stay clean and scented. I have a baby on the way.

We've already talked about it. We can't take every case.

But it wouldn't hurt us to try, right? And if this man really is innocent?

Can you imagine being innocent and still sent to prison for life?

But there was an investigation, they found hard evidence against him.

Three different instances sentenced him.

I don't trust the police. Mostly, I wouldn't trust Kraszewski,

- who was part of that investigation. - So, that's what bugs you!

If there is a case with him involved, you lose your grasp on reality.

That's just how she is and you just have to get used to that.

- Hi, Piast. - Good morning!

- I think it's three to one. - It looks like it.

Is this the voice of reason I hear?

- Oh, damn it. - Does it hurt?

- No! - No.

So, you had your way, after all.

- You know me. - Yes, I do.

Wait. Doesn't work.

Someone's coming.

Wait...

- Are you Jehovah's witnesses? - Mr. Rogalski?

Police. You always walk in twos.

No, we're not the police. We're journalists.

So, the ATM has arrived again! How much for the interview?

No, we're not here for the interview. We're writing a story.

A story about the case...

I know which case.

They don't come to me for any other cases.

You're writing about Hycel.

I can talk to you but you have to pay me for it.

- I'm in some financial trouble. - A hundred.

- Two. - A hundred and fifty.

- A hundred and fifty? - Yeah.

Fine. But paid in advance. And be brief. My schedule is full.

- Wait a moment. How much more? - Ten zloty.

- I don't need it for the parking. - It's enough.

Okay, so...

In 1999, you were a witness in Zenon Nowak's case?

- Do you remember what happened then? - Vaguely.

I'm pressed for time and my schedule was pretty full then, too.

- What do you remember? - That I was young and beautiful.

Who would doubt that?

You don't believe me? I can show you the pictures.

No, no. We believe you. But what of it?

All of it. I was young and beautiful and made a living by keeping company

with the not-so-young and beautiful but richer.

And?

And one day...

I saw Wiesio Marczak getting in the car with him.

- With him? - Yes, with him. With Hycel.

- That's who we're talking about. - It was Nowak?

Probably.

No, I don't follow. Why "probably" and not "absolutely"?

It was night. It was dark, right?

You would have recognized the driver from 50 meters at night?

I see. But why did you...

Because I had problems with the police. As always.

They brought me in for a line up...

and that Nowak looked a bit like that guy behind the wheel.

- The one you didn't see. - Who cares?

He also had the exact same green Polonez.

Half of Poland had cars like that back then.

And half of those cars was green.

Yes, I remember.

Those were real fox traps.

I assume your troubles were over after that?

- You're quite clever. - Will you say the same to the police?

- No. - Why not?

- Because my problems will never end. - And you're not ashamed?

Why? Why?

They didn't lock him up because of what I said.

Or because of his green car. They had other evidence.

Everything added up. He was a murderer, right?

- I served the good cause, didn't I? - It's all so weird.

I had a look at his files.

And it turns out that after 2000, he spent some time in jail.

Short terms, mainly for drug possession with intent to sell.

I'll look through the paper archives. Maybe I'll find something there.

What about Kraszewski?

Did he play an important role in this investigation?

I told you, he was an errand boy.

The investigation was run by a famous inspector Celiński, AKA "Celina,"

the most decorated criminal detective in Ł�dź.

- Still on the job? - Retired.

But very socially active. I think he even ran in council elections.

I don't know him, but maybe I should.

Well, better not. Unless you want to formalize Ultraviolet in Ł�dź.

I wasn't the only one responsible for finally apprehending him.

It was the work of the entire team.

Great specialists appointed by the district police commissioner himself.

Make sure you put that in your book.

Aspirant Michał Holender told me in secret that you're writing a book.

Yes, but I'm just starting to collect materials.

I have a long way to go before the book is ready.

But I'd like it to have a chapter about you.

After all, you were in charge of the team.

Yes, yes... I was.

It was a very difficult and complicated case.

At first, we had to face a conspiracy of silence.

And, as usually, a coincidence helped us solve the case.

A momentary carelessness of that bastard.

This carelessness, was it taking one of his victims for a ride,

- while being watched by a witness? - You can say that.

This witness isn't so sure now that the victim got into Nowak's car.

Really?

It doesn't matter now.

Even back then, the witness alone was good for nothing.

It was obvious he was a low life.

Can we?

No court would sentence anyone just listening to his testimony.

My partner of that time, Wlodek Tomiak, and I

agreed to believe him enough to check Nowak.

He seemed suspicious, he didn't have an alibi, he matched the description.

And then it turned out that we found Nowak's fingerprints

on the keys which belonged to the victim.

- And that was that. Want some? - Thank you.

Why did Nowak stand trial just for the last murder?

He didn't have the alibi for any of the murders,

but the lack of alibi is not enough to charge someone.

All the murders had the same modus operandi.

First, he gave them a shot to make them sleep,

then he strangled them slowly, while raping them.

And finally, he placed the victim's cut off head

between the naked victim's legs.

Fucking pervert.

Do you believe Nowak is guilty of all the murders?

I have no doubts about it. But no evidence means no punishment.

What about DNA tests? Maybe you could find something there?

DNA? You're kidding?

We were happy when we had batteries for flashlights.

You could run tests today.

We could but what for? He is already in jail and he'll stay there.

Just one more question! Would you help me get to the files?

I don't know. They should be somewhere in the district archive.

The files always ended up there. I'll try to help you.

Great!

Thank you for organizing this trip.

Ten minutes.

- Good morning. - Not the worst, yes.

It's nice that someone dropped by, but what is this about?

It's about your freedom, sir.

What could you possibly know about freedom?

I suppose you'd like to get it back.

A dream...

Yes, but you know that dreams come true sometimes.

Once again, you have no idea what you're talking about.

So, enlighten me.

Freedom and faith have a completely different meaning

to you than they do to me.

Once you're here, especially for something you didn't do,

you gain a completely different perspective of those things.

It's impossible to describe it with words.

It's a feeling, not a thought.

What a beautiful sentiment, as if you were quoting something.

The one thing that is in abundance here is time.

When you keep talking to yourself, you finally learn the words by heart.

What is this feeling you were referring to?

Pain.

Have you ever killed someone?

No.

It's true I knew most of the victims.

I frequented those places because I'm gay.

It all added up, all they needed to do was to frame me.

What do you mean, frame you? There was a witness, get it?

A car, there were fingerprints. This is all evidence. Do you get it?

A witness? That junkie, Rogalski?

Who was selling his ass to whoever promised him drugs?

It doesn't matter! And fingerprints?

Talk to my lawyer. It wasn't her finest hour.

No hard feelings, though.

Maybe she'll be able to tell you something.

- Tell us what? - How should I know?

"It was enough to frame me." Poor soul.

He says he didn't do it and you just swallow it like a young pelican.

Please...

A fake witness who's a junkie. Green Polonez,

there is no trace of this case in any of the computers.

They didn't have computers back then.

- What about the archives? - Also no.

I'm asking if there is any trace of it in the archives.

I haven't checked yet.

If there is any evidence there, one could run DNA tests now.

- An interesting idea. - Could you repeat that?

It's an interesting idea. Didn't you hear me?

No, I'm short of hearing!

- No, it doesn't make any sense. - What?

- Several murders over several years. - Yeah?

Then the investigation. Nowak ends up in prison and the murders stop.

What's there to dig into?

That's the best way to escape punishment, right?

And you have a monopoly on truth?

Of course I remember. It's not every day I defend serial killers.

You think he is a serial killer?

It's not important what I think. The court has ruled.

Could the court have ruled differently?

Maybe it could. I'd be so much better defending this case today.

Better? Why?

More experienced, surer of myself.

I wouldn't let anyone push me aside like that.

How did they push you aside?

I learned from the recording judge,

and no, I won't give you the name...

that the prosecution had a witness,

and they were doing all they could to hide him from me.

And I couldn't find him.

Why would they try to hide him?

Because he stood in total opposition to their line of prosecution.

Besides, it was all happening under pressure from the media.

Everyone wanted it to be over, to find the culprit.

For it to be home and dry.

- Do you know this witness's name? - I don't.

Counsellor... you wanted to be better.

I won't give you the name, but I can give you the date,

when he was called in for the lineup.

- How are things? - The archives are a dead end.

Why?

The case files are almost empty. And nothing to run DNA tests on.

What do you mean, empty? This case was active for years!

Maybe they were just messy.

Or someone removed them,

and hoped everyone else will think that it's just a mess.

- Maybe someone removed them. - See?

Come on, people!

So Rogalski isn't a very credible witness.

He never was credible.

What's more, someone has removed files from the archive,

and the prosecution hid a witness whom they considered inconvenient.

I told you there was definitely something fishy!

- Enough for us to not to take it! - Piast, are you there?

I'm in the digital archives of the appeal court in Ł�dź.

RECONSTRUCTION OF COURT OF APPEALS BUILDING

They must have just started digitalizing the documents,

because there are hardly any digital files in district courts.

Some catalogues are full of nothing but garbage, others are empty...

NO ATTACHMENT

And it seems like we got here only a moment too late.

I can see archive's entry logs.

Someone cleared out those files within the last 24 hours.

- Great. We're toast. - Not necessarily!

There might be nothing in court,

but the police has its entry books as well.

Whenever someone comes, they make them sign in.

They had a book like that back then, and such books are not thrown out.

What's more, Nowak's lawyer didn't know the name

but she gave us the date when he was brought in for a line up.

It was May 13th, 1999.

By the time we single out the witness hidden by the prosecution,

Nowak will complete his life sentence.

The only people that are of interest to us are those

whose names are accompanied by a line "for a line up."

There are four of them. Three women and only one man.

That does make it easier.

Wait, wait! Ludwik Wisniewski?

Pick up!

Can't you hear they're calling us, you dummy? Hello!

I found two middle aged men by the name L. Wisniewski on social media.

But only one of them a has a profile on Binder. It's an app for gays.

Okay...

He lives in Warsaw with his wife and two kids.

Great!

But what's next?

He's hiding with his family in Warsaw,

and we're just gonna reach out to him on his social media site?

I know who can help us! Adrian!

- But isn't he into women? - Not necessarily.

Leopard?

When her husband caught us in bed, first, he just wanted to kill me...

obviously. Three days later, we were lovers!

The only problem was

not letting him find out that I was still seeing his wife.

And she couldn't know I was seeing him...

You don't come here often, do you? I've never seen you before.

And I would remember you.

I'm good with faces.

Is it why you didn't recognize Nowak during a line up?

- Who are you? - Ultraviolet.

I am someone who wants to help get an innocent man out of prison.

The real killer is still out there.

We need to stop him from killing again, right?

Hey... Ludwik, calmly.

Calmly.

TAXI

I ran...

from over there...

I don't know how much time passed.

Finally, I got to an asphalt road.

A passing car stopped...

and I'm alive.

What about the police?

They brought me in for a line up.

When I didn't recognize him, they lost interest.

I called them few times after that until one of them asked...

if my wife knows...

about my extramarital affairs.

So I stopped calling.

Fuckers!

How did he bring you here?

He must have put something in my drink when we were still in the club.

You're up?

Sorry, I couldn't wait.

Well? Shall we begin?

What are you going to do to me?

If you're going to kill me, at least I want to know why.

You know what?

Someone... did something bad to me once.

Now, I'm doing it to others. It's the domino effect.

Someone once did me wrong too, but I don't hurt anyone else.

Someone hurt you?

We've got time.

Tell me about it.

I told him my story. He took the blindfold off, untied me.

He told me to undress.

I think he was getting ready to finish me off, but maybe...

after that conversation... maybe it got more difficult for him.

He disappeared for a while.

I knew I only had seconds, so I jumped up and out through a closed window.

Why didn't the police take it seriously?

They had a suspect whom I didn't recognize.

- Maybe they thought I was lying. - It's all right.

- I'm sorry. - I'll take you back to Warsaw.

Oh, fuck! Oh, fuck! Oh, fuck!

Fuck!

And?

The house hasn't been lived in for over 30 years.

It doesn't have an owner.

It used to belong to a director of textile factory.

He died, and the family still can't agree who should have this place.

Meanwhile, the house falls into ruin.

Thank you for a fascinating history of this place,

but I meant more what's inside the house than the house itself.

If it wasn't for us, you would have never found this place.

I think we're entitled to some information.

- There is a body... - You don't say?

The naked body was arranged on its stomach...

the same way Hycel arranged bodies of his victims.

The head was cut off and put between the legs.

Jesus! What a nightmare.

- There is something else? - Clothes.

We found clothes in the opposite corner of the cellar.

They're quite well preserved. We found an ID card.

You have to check when the person was reported missing.

Take it easy, boss.

The family reported him missing in 1986.

Now, I need something in return. I need to know who brought you here.

We gave you this. Call it an advance.

The victim was reported missing in 1986.

We have to check where Nowak was back then.

Okay, wait a moment.

I found an article saying that Nowak started his killing spree in Ł�dź,

when he came back from Chicago after living there for ten years.

When did he come back?

Right before the first documented murder. In January of 1991.

So, the one I found isn't one of Nowak's victims.

Nowak was abroad at that time.

So, Nowak is not a serial killer but he was proven guilty killing Marczak.

I'm sorry but I'll never believe that.

We all know you like him, though we still don't know why.

I spent some time browsing the internet.

You're not the only one believing Nowak.

A psychology professor wrote a whole study proving his innocence...

IN DEFENSE OF ZENON NOWAK

- What's this professor's name? - Professor Lukasz Rolak.

I didn't say you can come in.

- I'm sorry. It's important. - I do not sign grades today.

I'm not here about that. I already have a diploma.

- But not a long time ago. - Quite a long time ago!

- So, what now? - I'd like to talk about Nowak.

Zenon Nowak? Life term for innocence?

It's a vast subject. Call me, we can arrange a meeting.

We're in no hurry. Nowak won't go anywhere ever.

I believe something might be changing in his case.

I know it inside out. I've been trying to set him free for years.

Is there something I'm not aware of? Do, enlighten me.

This morning, I found a corpse of someone we believe is Hycel's victim

killed when Nowak wasn't even in the country.

- You found a corpse? - Yes.

- With the head cut off? - And placed between the legs.

Remind me, what was it exactly that you were studying?

Philosophy.

We'll have to confirm that with dental records or DNA

but according to the recovered ID, the body, or should I say remains,

belong to a well-known persona in the gay community called Bernard Walicki.

He was in close relations with the witness, Rogalski.

So, he was gay?

Did you question Rogalski about that?

We went to see him but he was unfit to talk.

He was never fit to talk in the first place.

From what I recall, his testimony was first real evidence in that case.

I think this is just one more of Nowak's victims

and we can stop looking into that.

I've talked to inspector Celiński and he believes so, too.

But Nowak wasn't in Poland then. Were you a little more careful,

you probably wouldn't have missed that detail.

We won't stop looking into anything.

Question Rogalski one more time. And go to Nowak.

Want some jam with that?

Rolak created a psychological profile of the murderer

and told me that Nowak never fitted it.

According to him, the murderer is an educated, wealthy person,

most probably someone important, extrovert and outgoing.

So, a complete opposition to Nowak.

How did he explain that the murders stopped after Nowak was sent to prison?

Just like I did. The psychopath used that opportunity.

And something must have happened in the killer's life around that time

that raised his self-esteem. He must have been promoted in some way,

maybe as a public officer, even a policeman.

And that might have compensated

for the lack of satisfaction he derived from killing.

What does it mean for us? The killer is among the policemen?

Not for a killer.

I finally managed to find parts of the digitalized files.

They're from a crime lab and one thing got me curious.

That key with Nowak's finger prints that ultimately got him convicted.

There were two reports of the analysis.

The first one has been erased from the archives...

RESULTS REMOVED

...and the second one says that fingerprints belong to the victim,

his mother and... Nowak.

Who signed the report?

There is a stamp but it's almost illegible.

Doctor Wojciech Zal... I can't read the rest.

I'll try to figure that out and I'll pay a visit to doctor Zal.

Or whatever he is called.

- Talk to you soon, guys. - Bye!

Don't you have anything better to do?

- Oh, it's you, Inspector. Hello. - Hello.

In the good old days, he would have been sentenced to death.

But luckily, the death penalty was abolished so he's alive.

Luckily? He murdered ten people. Eleven, with what you dug up.

And luckily, he's alive?

He didn't kill the one I found 'cause he wasn't in the country then.

I'm sure he had something to do with that. I would have found it.

- I'm sure of that. - Are my ears deceiving me?

You're sneering at me, doll?

- Let me go! Now! - Or what?

- Let me go! - Ola! Ola!

Who is that?

A police inspector. He's retired, as you can see.

- What? - Nothing.

I heard you and your mom handled Celiński pretty well.

- Now I know where you got your temper. - Yeah... sure, smartass.

Better tell me how you found out who signed those reports!

Zalecki. Waldemar told me. They were starting here together.

Are you trying to tell me that your boss is helping us?

- I wouldn't say "us." - Yes, of course.

It surprises me. Usually, he just sweeps everything under the rug

but know he's sharing names and reopening investigations.

It's his ambition talking. Celiński was always his idol.

I'm shocked. Honestly. Waldemar has been miraculously healed.

It's not about being miraculously healed. He remembered that around that time,

the first cameras were used for recording interrogations.

He's looking for the person who could have taken the files out. Voilà.

We did all the usual tests.

They brought the evidence they collected...

we dusted for fingerprints and looked for other traces

but it didn't get us anywhere. DNA tests were in their infancy back then.

The fingerprints, however, were quite distinct.

However...

The most distinct prints belonged to the suspect.

But there were no fingerprints the first time.

What do you mean, there were no fingerprints?

That was weird. The first time I got those keys to be tested, Waldek,

I mean Kraszewski, brought them. And that was normal.

They always sent constables with the evidence.

But the next time I saw those keys, Tomiak brought them in.

He was running the investigation with Celiński.

He was a commissioner and very important.

Normally, he didn't have time to run along the corridors.

But he came nonetheless.

I told him we already tested those keys...

and he replied that maybe we weren't thorough enough,

and that I should test them again.

I was young...

I didn't want to argue.

Unfortunately, Tomiak died of a heart attack few years ago.

But Celiński is still alive.

A spoon and a half and no milk, right?

- Right. Impressive memory. - Thank you for finding the time.

For you? Always.

By the way, I wanted to apologize for that incident with that girl.

I lost my temper and I shouldn't have.

That's all right. I lose my temper sometimes, too.

- We found a new body. - I've heard about it.

- I reopened the investigation. - You had no choice.

You'll close it, eventually. We had hard evidence. It must have been him.

Right. The evidence.

You know that most of the case files disappeared.

Let me show you something.

It's from the cameras in the interrogation room.

Remember? It was a gift from Sweden, we were testing them.

I remember.

Recognize those keys?

- No. - You haven't even looked at them!

Make real sure, you fucking pervert!

So? Do you recognize them or not?

Take a closer look!

You don't? Well, that's a shame. Be it as you wish.

So what?

So, an innocent man spent 18 years in prison because of you.

That fucker wasn't innocent. He was sly, we had to outsmart him.

I am placing you under arrest

for obstructing an ongoing criminal investigation,

manipulating the evidence and forcing witnesses to perjury.

What the fuck are you doing?

I'm a high-ranking police officer! I deserve respect!

- I'll go without these. - Cuff him!

There is a statute of limitations so they'll probably let you go,

but you'll have 48 hours.

I'll send the whole precinct downstairs, so they can see you.

Get him out of here.

Hey! Wait a minute!

Good morning.

Today it really is.

Do you need a ride somewhere?

No, thank you. I'll walk. I haven't had a walk in a long time.

- Do you have a place to go? - Not really.

I'll just go straight ahead. Maybe to see my mother's grave.

- Good luck, Zenon! Take care. - Thanks!

- Sorry, madame... - Yes?

You saved my life and I don't even know your name.

Alexandra. Ola, if you want.

Thank you... Ola.

- It was a good idea, writing to us. - I never wrote you. Bye.

INCOMING CALL

- And? - He's out!

We did it? Freedom? Great!

Equality and brotherhood!

You did it, you saved an innocent man's life.

No, no, no! I didn't! We did it, my friends!

Subtitle translation by Zofia Piwowarska