Original subtitles

Yes. There. Tadaa.

Allee, go and see.

And now the skirt. Look.

- What do you think? - Very nice.

Would I also look nice in a skirt like that?

I think so.

Oh, and may I do your makeup?

Just a little.

Eyes closed.

- There - Is it finished?

One of the very first gang raids is the robbery of arms dealer Dekaise.

Booty: a pack of sophisticated weapons.

A policeman who came to help was killed on site.

The gang has become the most notorious for its department store robberies.

Seven brand-new bulletproof vests were stolen in Temse.

They were even prototypes, almost nobody knew about it.

A night watchman was murdered during this robbery.

The bloody raid on a Colruyt department store in Nivelles gave the gang its name.

The meager loot: some food. But the human toll was very heavy.

Less than half an hour later, five people are killed in Overijse.

Also at a robbery of a department store.

Here 25,000 euros was stolen.

The poikce and gendarmerie are everywhere now...

Belgium is one big shooting gallery these days.

- There are more gangsters here than in Marseille. - They'll catch them, Carlos.

The day before yesterday, a bunch of small boys found two firearms and a balaclava.

Here, in the park. Do you know what the gendarmerie has done with those guys? Hm?

Just gave them a stern warning, that's it.

But now those things are being examined in silence.

Ah yes? And by who? Amateurs, that's it.

And I'm not talking about those criminals, is it?

- There. - Thanks.

But life has to stay a bit exciting, huh, Carlos.

Back in the Congo, we had to be on our toes day and night.

I think they can put these men against the wall as quickly as possible.

If I was the Minister of Justice, I had long ago reintroduced the death penalty.

Fortunately, I am just a simple mechanic who is retiring

and no Minister of Justice. Can I take a candy?

Yes Yes Yes.

Thanks, Albert.

David?

David? Allee, come on, boy. We have to go.

Put the bike in it's place.

Rebecca?

Rebecca?

- You will not come with us like that, will you? - Yes, isn't it beautiful?

- Got it from Granny. - Don't tell David.

- He already knows anyway. - He doesn't know anything.

- It looks like carnival. - Don't be so retarded.

What do I not know?

- Where did you get that knife? - Got from Gramps for my Saint Martin.

Come. I'll do your hair.

Then do it yourself. And careful. Thérèse, we have to go.

This or this?

Come.

Albert?

And?

What do you think about it?

- Nice. Really, very nice. - The left or the right one?

I really have nothing that matches this dress.

- Can I drive? - Come on.

Come.

First the first lady.

How is it going?

Your eyes are so beautiful?

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, in 1936, I was fourteen years old,

my father died and I immediately became a breadwinner for a family of seven children.

I then did what I had to do, so unfortunately there was no more studying.

But then I met my beloved Granny and then everything started.

We immediately left for the Congo to start our first company there.

Unfortunately, we had to flee all of a sudden because of the uprising.

So we came back to Aalst, we started again with nothing.

And here we are, 49 years later, in the AARC.

And it's been enough, I retire.

But I leave in full confidence.

Our Gilbert, with his great expertise, is the perfect man to take over the AARC.

Congratulations, Mr. Director.

And my sweetheart, our Thérèse, here, as everyone knows, is doing the books in an inimitable way

and takes care of the customers, as Granny has done for years at a time.

There.

- Now Granny and I go back to the Congo. - You're crazy.

Yeah right.

In any case, we will enjoy life now. And where are the drinks?

Albert. Albert.

- Yes? - Dear Albert.

Dear grandfather of my children.

Loyal companion of our Granny.

Strict, but just boss of this nice enterprise.

And good friend.

We have all learned a lot from you here.

And it will not be easy to match your example,

but we are extremely grateful for your trust.

And we're going to let you go, Albert.

But not just like that.

Chantal?

Aalst celebrates carnival

Party every day

And do not worry

We are not thirsty

Aalst celebrates carnival

Party every day

And do not worry, we are not thirsty

Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen.

Because we are all so happy that you are leaving...

- I believe that, yes. - We have a gift for you.

- Oh no. - Yes Yes.

You can take it yourself. Take this. Go, go, go. Oh, Albert.

- This is embarrassing. - Oh yes, embarrassing. Albert.

O, peekaboo.

- Please. - Open it.

A vacation at a hotel by the sea.

- And now let's drink. - Cheers.

To your health.

- David. Watch out. - David.

- David, come on. Gilbert, do something. - Let him do it.

David, concentrate, eh. That's good, boy. Stay calm.

- That was nice. - Yes? Thank you.

Yes, very nice.

Chantal, those boobs, what size are they?

Ha, what do you think?

Double G.

And yours?

- Double nothing. - Hey!

But honey, that's all right. They still get a growth spurt.

- What needs to grow? - Go away, you.

Ha, you smoke?

David and Rebecca? Come. You can already go with Granny and Gramps.

- We are first going to the department store. - Then you will have to be quick.

- Come on, director. - I want to go to the shop too.

- Come with us. - It's St. Martin. I want to go too.

- Me too. - Fine. Come. See you later, eh.

See you at dinner.

- And what do I have to prepare? - Dumb question, eh.

Tomato soup with meatballs.

Euh, the... Yes. Put that here.

Typical.

It is half past seven and those policemen are already going home

while the store is still open. - How do you know that they're pokice?

You can see that, Granny. From afar.

Goddamnit.

A robbery in the department store of Aalst.

Our children.

I'm going to get them.

Come on.

Sir? Do you live in the neighborhood? Bring those children to safety, come on.

Bring them to safety. Come on. Go outside.

- And our children? - I have to go back.

That boy there.

I've just seen him.

What's up with that boy?

It is on the parking lot. On the parking lot, there.

It's terrible.

Excuse me. Excuse me, may I...

My children are there.

Carlos?

Carlos.

I have to go to my children.

Aren't you a father too?

Everyone out of the way. Out of the way. Get through.

That's Gilbert.

Gilbert Van de Steen.

Sir, are you okay?

Yes.

That's my daughter. Damn...

Thérèse.

Thérèse Van Den Abiel.

How am I supposed to tell this?

I can not tell her that.

What now?

My baby....

Rebecca...

Rebecca Van de Steen.

Then that's David, I suppose?

That is not him.

That is not him.

The operation is still ongoing. I take you to the waiting room of the ICU.

Sister Benedicta? Hilde De Moor, investigative journalist.

No no. No press.

Hey, boy.

I am with you. David?

Mom and dad?

Are they here too?

Yes.

Mommy and dad are in another hospital.

And Rebecca?

Also.

Just sleep. Hey.

I have seen them.

Yes. Of course.

Damn...

Mr. Van Den Abiel? Dr. Rumbaut. No, stay seated, stay seated.

So he has a very bad gunshot wound.

The upper part of his right thigh is just gone. Veins are hit, muscles.

He has lost a lot of blood.

It is his jeans shorts that have kept the whole lot together when they brought him in.

The main artery is still intact. Which is good. There is still nerve activity. Which is good.

And what remains of that thigh we have fixed with a steel frame

on a piece of hip.

The head nurse says it's a good doctor. The best.

She says.

Granny...

Those hail bulbs have gone through his thigh, recoiled on the ground

and gone in again on the other side.

Five inches of his leg has been shot to pieces.

Just... disappeared.

He has asked for them.

Quiet, boy. The doctor is almost done.

- Quiet. - Do not look, David.

- Very good. Do not try to move. - Sister, may I...

- No, not you. I want mom and dad. - David, no... Quiet. Come.

David. Davidje...

I lied to you, boy.

Mum and dad are gone.

Really, they are no longer here. They are dead.

And Rebecca?

Also.

She still shouted something.

What was she shouting?

He sleeps.

She still shouted...

- Gramps. - Yes?

I had a blue balloon on my wrist.

- David? - I was reading a comic.

David, come.

- What is that? - That's nice.

- Put on your hat, because it is cold outside. - Bye.

Hup.

- I push the cart. - Hey.

- Let him. Leave it. Come. - Push, David.

Don't shoot. That's my dad.

She still shouted...

Don't shoot.

That's my dad.

For David from Saint Maarten

Mr. Van Den Abiel... Yes, sorry.

The front door was open.

I am Hilde De Moor.

Yes, you may not know it anymore, but I have seen you in the hospital.

My condolences.

Could I ask you a few questions about the Gang of Nivelles?

I know nothing about that gang, madam.

That's it. Everyone says they don't know anything...

- Madam, I don't know anything about that gang. - You may know more than you think.

Madam, you're bothering.

Mr. Van Den Abiel, I'm really not looking for sensation,

but the investigation into that gang is being manipulated. It's a farce.

And your grandson is alive. He has seen everything...

My grandson will not be in the papers, not on the radio and not on television.

And now I ask you politely to leave the house or I call the police.

I am gone. Wait, I have...

I have an overview here with all unresolved questions,

missed opportunities, all the stupidity in the investigation so far.

I'll put it here.

Please read that and then let me know what you think.

Sorry.

Was it this you wanted?

He... He asked for you.

- Do they wear their clothes? - Yes.

Your mom has a white pleated dress with those red buttons.

Your dad liked that so much.

And Rebecca? That new-wavy dress?

That you had made for her?

Yes.

Throughout Aalst the lights are extinguished and the shops are closed as a sign of mourning.

The country is in shock.

It is as if it is war, but we do not know who the enemy is.

All department stores located on an easily accessible escape route,

are being guarded by paratroopers of the army

and snipers of the special intervention squadron of the gendarmerie.

The terror of the Gang of Nivelles caused the judicial police

to buy a lot of new guns.

There are now riotguns available to fight the gangsters with their own weapons.

The gendarmerie will soon also have access to new and faster cars.

- Put that away. - Honey, I...

Get rid of it.

- But I'm just looking for a place... - I do not want it.

- Hello. Come on in. - No no.

We only want to give something back.

From your grandson.

Goddamnit.

- Good day, sir. - Is something already known about the perpetrators?

My wife and I have experienced everything from close by.

We have heard the first shots.

We walked to the balcony and then I immediately called 911

and I went downstairs. - And have you seen the perpetrators?

No, not that, no.

Look, sir. It is nice that you want to help, but we are not in charge of the investigation.

There was a police car parked in front all day. It was already there all week.

Half an hour before closing time they suddenly drove away. Gone.

Yes, that would surprise me. But we will check it.

And when I came downstairs, and that's bizarre,

there were two heavily armed policemen

with their guns at the ready, with their backs turned to the event.

Yes, that was a patrol that was nearby.

Yes, but they did nothing.

Look, sir. We will check it out.

If there is something, you can always reach me at the bureau.

Just ask for adjutant Lootens. - Thank you.

Please. Sir, good day. - Good evening.

Damn...

But anyway.

We almost lost our little boy. Look.

You should see that.

But Granny, perhaps the gendarmerie still needs that.

I hope I will not wake up again.

You can't say something like that.

We must continue for little David. We have to give that boy a new life.

Yes.

That's true.

But there's something... I think you should know that, Albert.

I have always been so happy.

But...

That is over. It... That is no longer possible, Albert.

Sorry.

Albert.

Thanks, sister. Thank you. Hey, boy. What happened?

- He was here. - Who?

The guy with his curls. Who shot at me. He stood there in the doorway.

He just stood there looking at me with his blue eyes

and his pimple next to his nose.

I recognized him.

We came out with the shopping cart.

- What is that? Isn't that a bit early? - No, that's nice.

Bye.

I push the cart.

Don't shoot. That's my dad.

David.

Run.

Do not look.

Do not look.

Eyes closed.

So...

That guy's scarf fell and he had a pimple on his nose?

No, his scarf fell off and I saw a pimple next to his nose, not on.

- And that man was here, you say? - Yes, he stood there.

- Was he alone? - Yes.

Where exactly?

- Here? - Yes.

- Probably... light off. - No, the light was on.

- I could see his pimple. - On.

- Here? - Yes.

- Sister, do you have a minute? - Gramps, do not leave.

- We just go into the hallway. - I'm afraid.

- Don't be afraid. - No, he's going to come back.

- No, he will not come back, David. - Yes.

He will not come back. No, David. Listen here.

They are very naughty people. That's true. They must be caught and punished.

And I'm going to take care of that. But he will not come back.

Promised?

Promised.

I'll come back right away.

He was in a panic. When I came in, he was screaming.

But there was no one.

He's had a lot of painkillers, he has nightmares. That is all very common.

Yes, but... he can describe one of those bandits in detail.

That is not good. That is...

That is not good.

Call the police.

Here.

You should wash the dishes. And... please go to the store and do some shopping.

I'm not going to the shop across the street.

Then go somewhere else, but I have to eat something, Marie-José.

Sausage, a chicken fillet, I don't care.

A piece of meat, with potatoes, a cauliflower. That is all I ask.

Hey...

Why are there no cars in the parking lot?

- Because the customers don't dare, I think. - Ah yes.

When should it be ready?

Tonight. Yes.

Shouldn't you help then? Or is it written in the papers what you should do?

- Yes of course. - Say, men. Come here. Come here.

Come here, men. Come.

Listen. The success of our company has always been the result of...

hard work, but if you're going to slack now, we will go bankrupt.

Then we go bankrupt. Yes?

So you have the choice.

Either you start working, take some initiative,

or... yes, nothing huh. Nothing.

But if we succeed, we will share the money.

Yes?

And thank you for coming to the funeral.

Chantal, come here.

Do you know how to turn on that thing? - Yes, how does it work? That is with a button.

I... - Here, that.

I want to see the accounting.

Our Thérèse has put everything into it. - Oops. Euh, yes...

- Do you know MS-DOS? - MS-DOS?

- Yes, that... Beir. - Yes.

On that computer, is that CD that you have to type in or DIR?

Yes...

- DIR or CD? - DIR.

No...

DEL, in any case... You can never type that in.

I want all bills, all invoices and all orders, yes?

Hey? Yes, AARC. Van Den Abiel. Yes.

Yes, doctor?

His leg deteriorates. We have to operate again.

- But the operation was successful? - Yes, look.

The wound does not heal and tissue is dying off.

What do you want to say now? Are you going to amputate?

Yes, that is something I can not possibly judge. Not right now.

That is not possible. That's not allowed. Damn... - Mr. Van Den Abiel. Mr. Van Den Abiel.

This behavior does not help anyone, does it? No one.

Not us, not you and David not at all.

- Please. - Sorry.

You can stay with him until he is asleep.

- Thank you. - The operation can take a long time.

- Doctor, do you want to save that leg, please? - We do our best.

- I am the grandfather. Hello. - It's alright.

- Another surgery? - Yes.

- No, I really do not want that anymore. - It must.

- Calm down. - There's no other way.

- Everything will be alright. - Calm down.

Gentlemen, would you like to make a report on occasion

about what my grandson has to say?

Sir, we are from the police. That is not our competence. That is for the gendarmerie.

Yes. Thanks.

Good afternoon.

- Adjutant Lootens, please. - Your passport, please. You can wait there.

- I can call him every hour of the day. - Your passport, please, and wait there.

Mr. Van Den Abiel?

The adjutant Lootens is not present.

- Then I want to speak to the highest in rank. - It does not work like that, sir.

- I have a fine here for you. - A fine?

Your BMW has been towed away in Brussels.

- I do not have a BMW. - Your license plate is FHV715, no?

I have an invoice from the towing company.

Sir, my car is here at the door. That is a Mercedes, not a BMW.

That's weird.

Uh... I will draw up a pv and send it to Brussels.

You better listen to my grandson and write a pv about that.

That boy has been face to face with a bandit of the Gang of Nivelles.

Does that mean something to you? Les Tueurs du Brabant?

- I will report it, but I can not promise anything. - And tell them they should be quick.

He goes from one heavy operation to another. Maybe it's too late.

Mr. Van Den Abiel?

Walter Bas. Condolences.

I was the one who asked you to bring those children to safety. I was civilian then.

I try to visit you as soon as possible. Call me when it's a good time.

- Thanks. - It's nothing.

- It's in the Our Lady Hospital. - I'll take care of it.

I will call you.

- Albert. - Hey.

I have laid out your pajamas. Then you can sleep here.

If you stay with David at night, I will stay during the day.

Listen, Albert. We make a good agreement.

You do what you think you should do. I make the food, I do the dishes.

But for the rest you leave me alone. I do not want to hear about it anymore.

Not about that Gang of Nivelles, not about the robbery

and not about the gendarmerie.

But something else, Granny. If we are not careful we are broke.

I have been in AARC. It's not going well.

I have to start working again. We are going to need that income.

- We still have our savings? - Well...

The funeral costs. The hospital costs. This is not over yet, is it?

And they had no papers, yes. I do not understand either, but...

That little one is not insured. There is no society that wants him now.

- And if you write a letter to the department store? - Yes...

Yes...

The big culprit was a small piece of fabric from his jeans that was still in the wound.

We took that out. And also three pieces of lead. There are still five in it,

but we can't reach them. Now we have to wait and see if that leg grows well.

And that's why he is now in a sort of plaster pants.

He will have to learn to live with it for a few months.

Those mattresses in the hall must also be taken along. - Yes.

You do need permission to sell the house.

- Excuse me? - That you need permission.

The family council agrees and we need that money.

That is not official. This is a special case of legacy. That can take a while.

You can rent it out in the meantime, if you wish.

My dad screamed.

Such a cry... from...

- From pain? - Yes, but also of anger.

And the man who shot your father was the same one who shot you?

No. The one who shot my father and Rebecca was wearing a mask.

I first had to think about carnival.

And the one who shot me was much bigger. He had a black wig.

His scarf fell off and I saw such a big pimple next to his nose.

- On which side? - This one.

And blue eyes.

And light brown hair that came from under his wig.

Do not look. Do not look, he said.

How could I not look? He aimed a sawed off shotgun at my head.

- How do you know that it was sawed off? - You could easily see it.

It was really done badly. He aimed at my head and shot into my leg.

- How old are you, boy? - Nine.

David, is someone here that you might recognize?

Perhaps. Wait.

Take a good look again. Take your time.

I have seen you.

Hey, stay with me, you.

Hey. What's your name? What's your name? Hey?

Where do you live, buddy? Where do you live, boy?

Hyacinthenstraat 43.

- That's right yes. - Nine years, eh.

But he knows what he is talking about.

Gentlemen? Gentlemen?

That... That man in that picture he was doubting, who...

- Is he familiar to you? - What do you mean?

Well, whether you know him, yes or no? And the description of that tall man.

It's very detailed, yes? You can do something with that?

The investigating judge will decide on that, sir. All right? Bye.

Euh, Mr. Van Den Abiel, do not expect too much of this.

- And if I can give you advice, take a lawyer. - A lawyer?

Yes, that will help you. Also if you want information about the research.

Look, we do not know much and what we know, we can not say.

Merry Christmas.

- Cheers - Cheers

Come on, David. Then at least peck out the meatballs.

It's nice, though.

Granny has made your favorite soup especially for you.

- What is this? - I don't want to eat.

I saw that, yes.

But you can also just tell that, no?

By the way, you have to eat. Everyone has to eat, isn't it?

Not me. I can't eat.

Hey. AARC.

- Mr. Van Den Abiel? - Yes.

Have you been able to read the report of your children's autopsy?

No.

Look, I doubt that the gendarmerie will give you all the information.

Who are you?

Look, they've been executed. They all got a neck shot afterwards.

A military execution.

Sir, if you have information, would you please call the gendarmerie?

The gendarmerie... Those are soldiers. We...

Yes? Wait.

Do not hang up.

- Officer Walter Bas, please. - Hello. Euh, who are you looking for?

Walter Bas? I don't think he's stationed here anymore.

- How? - He has been transfered.

- Where to? - I do not know.

- Is that not in there? - No. Sorry, I can't help you any further.

- Who knows it then? - I don't know. I really can't help you.

- Mr. Van Den Abiel. - Mrs. De Moor.

Why here?

Yes... that's why.

My... My children were killed with a neck shot.

Who says that?

I don't know.

- Is it a reliable source? - I do not know.

- Mr. Van Den Abiel, you can really trust me. - If I say I do not know,

then I do not know.

Someone called me

and said that they have not just been shot. That they were executed.

Military style. And yes... I want to ask you to publish it.

I must first know if that is true.

I can not just do something like that. I have to check that, double check.

No, wait. Wait a second.

Unless I let you speak.

You can claim whatever you want, not me.

But why would you actually do that?

I want to lure them out.

This was pushed under the door. What are you doing?

And dress up. The doctor is coming. The plaster goes off.

- Did you read it? - I don't want to know.

(happy birthday song)

(happy birthday song)

(happy birthday song)

Hiep, hiep, hiep... - Hurray.

Hieperdepieperdepiep. - Hurray.

- Blow. - Blow.

Happy Birthday. That's for you.

- A wheelchair? - Hey, we worked on it day and night.

- That is a racing machine. - It really is.

- But we still have something else. - Here.

That's what your dad bought for you when, for...

your Saint Martin.

Please.

Wow.

Come on, we're drinking on David.

Beware. Beware. Service. Service, beware.

Quietly, Chantal.

Here. Cheers, David.

Cheers. - If you don't drink from it, it will remain full.

Aalst celebrates carnival Every day a party

And do not worry, we do not have...

Gentlemen, a glass? It is not allowed, but okay.

Would you also like to try?

Straight ahead, back, left and right.

- Ah yes, it's that simple? - Yes, just like that.

- No no. - Watch out.

No no.

Excuse me, Jeanine. Olala.

- Thanks. - Keep on doing your exercises well, eh.

- Come on, dude. - Bye, David. Bye, eh.

Bye. - Doctor, thanks. Bye, sister.

- Goodbye. - Bye.

Come one. Come on in, Sir.

We are home.

This is your room.

And here I have emptied a cupboard for you.

For your toys.

And your school supplies.

Granny... Congratulations, madam.

The department store reimburses the funeral costs.

Something wrong?

No.

Who is Major Vernaillen?

A gendarmerie major who conducted an internal investigation.

They robbed him at home, shot straight through his door.

- He's been hit and his wife... - What's with his wife?

Badly injured.

But anyway. You see now what will happen?

And what now?

Again police surveillance at the front door?

- And if we have to go shopping? - I'll fix that.

- And that little one has to go to school. - I don't want to go to school.

You have to go to school, like everyone else.

- I'll fix that, I say. - Yes.

300, 299, 298,

297, 296,

295, 294...

In Ronquières weapons are found that were probably used in robberies

by the Gang of Nivelles.

Divers also recovered the cash register of the Delhaize of Aalst.

For a long time Michel Cocu and so-called other Borains were presented as the culprits.

The Borains were arrested a total of 17 times and released again.

A special parliamentary committee investigates where and why the many...

One of the tracks of the Gang of Nivelles would lead to Gladio,

a secret stay-behind network sponsored by the CIA and NATO

to organize the resistance in a communist takeover of power across Europe.

- Are you OK? - Cramp.

Come on.

Come.

- I can't go to school today. - What's that now?

- I can't go to school today. - We've already talked enough about that.

- It's just gym class. - That's only for one hour.

That a new witness is summoned to the gang committee.

It concerns gendarmerie colonel Herman Vernaillen, who together with his wife in 1981

survived an assassination attempt in his own...

Come on, boy. Eat your sandwich.

Van Den Abiel. Yes.

Yes, but... What is that interview about? No that is not possible.

No, it is far too small here.

But it is possible in my company. The AARC. Yes. Thanks.

Guys from the television. They want to know what we think about that gang committee.

And what do we think about that?

I promise I will not say anything about the gendarmerie. Promised.

Hela. Don't I get a kiss?

You used to be much sweeter, Gramps.

There. You can go to The News.

Hey, Albert. I have been thinking again.

Your neighbor, who deals in used cars.

You know that you can't only buy motorbikes and cars, but also weapons?

Carlos... That's a rumour, yes.

Albert, it's the truth. You can do lots of stuff there.

You can get serial numbers removed there, have the used weapons scraped out,

get sawed off shotguns.

As a barber you hear a lot. And it seems that it is full of weapon freaks there.

Yes, right-wing extermists, an arms dealer, a prison director,

even a couple guys of the gendarmerie they kicked out because they were cowboys.

And it seems that those guys are doing shooting exercises here in Aalst.

- Here, shooting exercises? - Yes, practical shooting or something.

Something from the military.

And... one of those guys... that's a customer of mine.

- Who? - Well, customer...

- He has been here once. - Come on. Who?

Apparently... Yes, Lepoudre.

Yes, and the afternoon of the attack

he was at the department store. - Lepoudre?

It seems. Albert, you do not have that from me, do you.

There they walked around.

So they have seen Gilbert and Thérèse at work here.

And that Lepoudre also walked around there.

Lepoudre has been in prison for two years, but not for attacks by the Gang of Nivelles.

Two years, you say? Then he could easily have been at the robbery?

And if he walked around there, then he certainly came by at our office

for spare parts or something like that. Maybe Gilbert knew him personally.

By the way, that BMW that was towed away in Brussels.

I was wondering how those guys got my license plate.

And why my license plate?

That is the answer.

That guy was there during the robbery on the parking lot.

My children recognized him and therefore they had to get the neck shot.

I am not going to publish this. That must first be investigated.

To be investigated? By who? By the gendarmerie?

No, but not by public opinion either. Put this on the news and that will be a bomb.

Why not? I promised my grandson that I would find those bandits

and that I would have them locked up. - Mr. Van Den Abiel, you are not a detective.

And the gang committee is now really doing a good job. Give those people a chance.

Nothing. I don't know anything.

Yes, if I know something, it is through the press.

Just like everyone else. Or someone who calls me.

Or sometimes they slide something under the front door.

Like what?

Sir...

I am not a detective.

I'm just a simple mechanic.

Hey.

Yes, speaking.

And then he hit that boy with his crutches.

David? What happened?

- We walked up the stairs. - Where?

Over there. He was just imitating me, he was laughing at me.

Then he struck my crutch and I fell on my back.

Then I jumped up and... yes...

- Where is that boy now? - In the hospital.

Shit... Sorry.

David, you know that is not allowed.

Come on.

I assume you have family insurance?

Yes.

Well done, boy.

Good that you stood up for yourself.

We looked for some relatives of the victims.

You will hear Albert Van Den Abiel.

If you ask me what I think about that gang committee, then the answer is

that I do not know. I do not know.

They did not ask me anything, neither David nor my wife.

Even though we are witnesses from the start.

What I do know is that I could sell the house of my children.

We need that income. That boy costs a lot of money.

He has been operated on fifteen times. He will probably need another 15 operations at least.

But I may not sell. If you have the misfortune to experience what happened to us,

you would think the authorities of a country are going to help you a little,

that they will show some empathy.

That they inform you about the progress of the investigation into the murder of your children.

But I do not know anything. Nothing.

If I know something, it is through the press.

Or someone who is calling me, or who slides something under the front door..

Like?

Sir, I am not a detective. I'm just a simple mechanic.

And I have to go to sleep. And you too. Come, David.

What did you think of it?

Sleep well.

300, 299, 298, 297...

296, 295...

David does not feel good at that school.

I still have to write a letter to the ministry.

He can still go on a learning contract and learn a trade?

Then he does not have to go to school. - And then start working at the age of fourteen?

- Like you. - Look at me. I am still working at my age.

By the way, do you think they are waiting for someone who is only half...

With his handicap.

Sleep well.

Mr. Van Den Abiel?

- It's nothing. It's okay. - Sleep, David.

Come.

Yes, sorry I came over so late, but I was in the neighborhood and therefore...

What I came to tell you, the people who are investigating the robbery in Aalst

under the direction of investigating judge Troch, they are now behind two ex-gendarmes

who are suspected of the assassination attempt on Colonel Vernaillen and his wife.

Are they the murderers of my children?

I do not know.

- Perhaps. - And Lepoudre?

The examining magistrate has put him in suspect and he takes your story seriously.

Not everyone follows him, but I know him. He's a biter, really.

- Want to drink something? - No, thank you. No, thanks.

What is it all about?

Excuse me, but...

We...

If there's someone at the door, then...

Then I'll stand here and then I'll raise that cover...

And then... Then they think I'm behind the door and then...

If they shoot then they miss because I'm here.

Like with Vernaillen.

Courage. It is all happening now.

- Really. - Thanks.

Bye, eh.

- What's wrong? - Nothing.

Don't you have to go to school?

But you can't lie on the couch all day long?

Albert...

I don't feel well.

- Excuse me? - He's a little ill.

Listen, boy.

I know you're having a hard time now, but then there's only one thing to do.

That is going on, being good, studying.

Granny says I don't have to go to school anymore.

Here, your tea.

David, if you want to get anywhere in life, it will surely be with your brains.

You have to get a degree. You have to study.

But I can't, Gramps. I can't.

Yes you can, boy.

I must also go on. Granny must go on, you must go on.

We must go on with the three of us. Come on.

We are going to school now. Put on your shoes. I'm waiting for you in the car.

This morning Colonel Vernaillen declared that banker Leon Finné already warned him

in the early 80s of an extreme right plot.

Finné had good connections in the Brussels right-wing environment,

but later became one of the victims of the Gang of Nivelles.

According to certain sources, he was executed from close range with a neck shot.

Foreign news. In the United...

- I push the cart. - Hey.

Do not shoot. That's my dad.

David.

Run.

I am calm, sir. But why do I pay taxes on a house that is not mine

and pay a fine for vacancy while I can not or may not sell that house, goddamn?

Goodbye Mister. Bye.

Dick.

Sorry, men.

Yes?

His nerves and tendons were completely cut.

Fortunately, we have been able to recover a lot through microsurgery,

but fine movements will always remain a problem.

The people in the park called us, so the police doesn't know.

Sorry, Gramps.

Don't be angry.

You should not say sorry.

Not you.

Really.

It's cold.

Well done.

Please.

- Gramps. Gramps. - Yes what is it?

That's the one with his pimple, who shot me.

- That's not possible, boy. - But that's him.

- That guy? That's not possible. - What is it?

- He claims that's the shooter. - That's him. You have to go to the police.

The police will not do anything for us.

You promised that they were being punished and now you are too coward to go to the police?

Quiet, David. They never wanted to listen to Gramps.

- They have ignored him hundreds of times. - You promised you would catch them.

- David... - David. David.

Here, look at that. That is the guy who shot him.

David is 100 percent sure.

I can't go anywhere, not to the police, not to the gendarmerie.

So please, Hilde, put that in your newspaper.

I am no longer a journalist.

- Did they fire you? - No, no, but...

I'm going into politics. Yes, I can't stand it anymore.

What is happening now is absurd.

Freddy Troch, the investigating judge of the Delta cell, was removed from the investigation.

The only one that ever achieved results. And why?

That's why, of course.

He was busy uncovering the relationship between a few recurring gang suspects

and a few big shots from the Brussels political environment and beyond.

And all of a sudden the entire case, a few trucks full in the meantime, is transferred

to Charleroi. They can't even read it there. It's all in Dutch.

The translation will take years.

- The umpteenth Belgium joke. - I call it a cover-up operation.

They have intervened from above.

- They? They? - Yes, They, yes.

Who is that, Hilde? They?

The pope of Rome, the Mossad, the CIA?

Homeland security, Westland New Post, tell me. Our prime minister, the king?

Who should be protected against whom?

And you want to go into politics? Good luck.

If you want to change something, it has to be done from above.

And you must be more careful.

Yes, you must be protected against yourself. Think about your family.

Otherwise you endanger everyone.

The indignation about the disgusting acts of Marc Dutroux is great among the population.

He would also have supplied minors for sex parties.

Researchers into the Gang of Nivelles see a connection with the Pink Ballets

at the end of the 70s.

Sex parties that were meant to compromise and extort powerful people.

Brussels is literally flooded by many tens of thousands of people.

A white, impressive march of solidarity with the parents of...

The demonstrators protest against the judicial and political failure.

That Justice can finally function, also for the benefit of those who are small and immature.

Mr. Van Den Abiel?

Yes, that poster...

I do this every year. It should not be forgotten.

But our board decided it was best to stop it now.

Yes...

You're the boss here, right?

Remove it and tomorrow I will be back with the press.

Hey, has anyone seen my professional literature? Boy, did you get that again?

Do you get your inspiration for carnival here?

- My boobs are nicer, you know. - David?

- Here, Grandpa calls. - Damn.

She could have been your mother.

Say, Chantal and the Beir are good people, there is nothing wrong with that,

but you have to keep a little distance, don't you? Distance.

Yes, you will soon be their boss, eh.

- We were just talking. - Yes, talking. I know that.

I did not build a new garage for nothing. It was for you, dude.

This is your future.

Here. Take a look. We have a complaint.

Something with soil contamination.

What is that?

Hello.

Can I help?

These are the investigators of the cell Jumet in Charleroi.

They are doing the research all over again.

- Everything again? - Yes. Come with me.

David. Tell them we don't believe in it anymore.

I don't get it. I really don't understand what you are doing here.

Everything has been said a long time ago, and no one ever responded.

This time it's different. This cell has been specially set up to solve this matter.

- Gramps. - Yes, David, come here.

These files have been rotting for years in Charleroi.

And now suddenly those guys, those cowboys, are going to solve everything? I don't think so.

It's the first time that they come here.

An official Environment inspector will be here soon. Send them back to the Walloons.

Sorry. I apologize. He has other...

Did... Did I have to smell that my soil was polluted?

- No, but the soil certificate is not... - Soil certificate, my ass.

This does not help your case.

I have to break everything open to clean the soil? That will help me a lot.

- We're only just here. - And the health of your staff?

If I go bankrupt soon, they will be unemployed. Is that better perhaps?

- Excuse me sir, but the law is the law. - The law, the law...

Where was the law when my children were executed? Hey?

Are you OK?

- Hello, Albert. - Carlos.

Yes, if you have money or power, then you can apparently afford anything.

Dutroux started supplying underage girls everywhere for sex parties.

Up to the highest level.

To businessmen, bankers, barons. Apparently even at the court.

But do you think they will ever pick up those bastards? You must not believe it.

Yes, but Carlos...

Those parents know at least

who killed their children.

Yes, I have something for you. Maybe you already have it, but I kept it anyway. Here.

Lepoudre has confessed that he was there, during several robberies,

among others in Aalst.

And so he said: But they can't prove it anyway

Just like that. That is incredible, no?

Police and gendarmerie. One of them is MP Hilde De Moor.

Because of the police war, a lot of valuable time has been lost.

And I think it is now up to the politicians to draw lessons from that.

We are obliged to the victims and the surviving relatives.

And not only in that affair Dutroux, but also in a whole series of other cases

that have happened in Belgium since the beginning of the 80s.

And then I am thinking mainly of the crimes of the Gang of Nivelles.

We now have to wait for the declaration of the Ministers of Justice and Foreign Affairs.

Hola.

- Where have you been? - Grandpa... 'Where have you been?'

To the driving school. Get my driver's license, buy a car, so that I can get out of here.

- Any news from those men from Jumet? - Yes, they got home well.

I called them. We've talked about that pimpled guy.

The one with his pimple that you did not want to do anything with.

And about your Dupoudre.

- Lepoudre. - Lepoudre, Dupoudre. What's in a name?

Philibert, Albert.

- How did they respond to Lepoudre? - They're going to investigate it.

And I believe them.

They come back tomorrow morning.

- Where? - The office. Nine o'clock.

Sorry.

- Chantal, do you have a minute? - Yes.

I think it's fantastic how you deal with David,

but you have to be careful, because that boy in his condition...

All that drinking at night, he can't handle it.

Drinking? These are the great philosophical issues that we are trying to solve.

Last night he was completely drunk.

Yes, that may be, but he was not with us yesterday, so...

Yes, it is not criticism, is it? It is just a request to take it a little easier.

- Yes, that's good, chief. - Chief? It's for you.

Thanks.

- Hello. - Albert? Hilde De Moor here.

I have good news. Yes, there will be a second gang committee.

And this time everything will be investigated. You're coming to testify?

Can I ask something? That cell Jumet? Is that serious?

Very serious. They examine every trace that has ever been there.

It is bad, but the affair Dutroux has put a lot into motion, even in politics.

And this time we will ensure that the victims are not forgotten.

You're coming, right? With David?

We will see.

There.

Top gangster.

- For the umpteenth time, he was there.

- He could not have been there. - I was there. I have seen him.

- You were nine. - But I've seen him.

Quiet. Quiet, David.

It is true that his prison sentence was not finished yet, but I think...

he was on leave that weekend.

Not everything that's in the press is also true.

That's right, but we live in Belgium, sir.

Maybe they had forgotten to lock his cell door that weekend.

Yes, we may think so, but we can not just say it out loud.

But it still happened.

- I have to go. - What? Now?

The driving school.

Yes, and then Lepoudre? He was around here a lot at that time, it seems.

Yes, that is not a small time gangster Professional scum.

It is common knowledge that he plays games with the court.

Gramps, this is Nathalie. From the... From the driving school.

- Hey. - Hey.

Hello, Mr. Albert.

Nice to meet you. I have heard many good things about you.

Yes? Right.

Nathalie will stay over.

But... fool. I have nothing with me?

Oh, that will be fine. I have everything.

Ah... Something to drink then?

Why not? Gladly.

Thanks.

- Did you explain something to that boy? - No.

Hey, what happens?

Will you also take a driving lesson?

Come on.

Today is an important day for the second gang committee.

A number of victims and surviving relatives of the raids of the Gang of Nivelles...

- What did you do in Antwerp? - In Antwerp?

I have not been in Antwerp for years.

- Come on, David, we have to leave. - There was a parking ticket from Antwerp.

- That is a mistake. - You keep a little quiet, do you?

I walked across the street to enter the department store

and suddenly there were two gendarmes in uniform, machine guns ready. But they did nothing.

According to the pv's it was a patrol that happened to be nearby.

Yes, Mr. Chairman, but who were these men?

You are sure? They were in uniform?

- So they were gendarmerie. - Everyone can wear such a uniform.

You thought that was suspicious?

- Not just me. - Mrs. De Moor?

We know that in that period effectively gendarmerie uniforms were stolen,

weapons and bulletproof vests, and all from well-guarded barracks and warehouses.

All witnesses talked about those gendarmerie on the street.

And why? Because when people rushed out in panic,

crying, falling over each other, those two really haven't done a damn thing.

If that is not suspicious? I then brought two children to safety while...

Is there something about this in your pv's, Mr. Chairman?

Of all those testimonies then in Aalst, nothing has ever been written down.

If there is anything in this country that I do not trust anymore, then it's Justice,

the gendarmerie and police.

- And why not? - Because they do not do anything.

They do not investigate anything.

Trust is something you have to earn.

I'm going to show you something.

I drive a Mercedes. All my life.

Here's a fine for a BMW 520, towed away in Brussels

with my license plate. Fake, of course.

I had complained to the gendarmerie and...

this was the reaction. A fine was fixed on my name.

You apparently see a connection between the two events?

Come on.

We know you. We know where you live. Stay silent. That's what it means.

And today this was in my mail. A Peugeot. Towed in Antwerp.

Again with my license plate. That's intimidation. Or how would you call it?

Coincidence, maybe?

And this, Mr. Chairman? Is that also a coincidence?

I am convinced that the investigators never found anything at the time,

because they... did not want to find anything

or because they were not allowed to find anything.

Have you ever heard any news from an attorney or investigating judge?

- No. Never. - Nothing.

It is now twelve years ago.

Twelve years ago that my father and my sister fell down in front of me.

That my mother, shouting at me that I had to go running...

That my mother has disappeared from my life forever.

We... We feel like lepers at the time in the Congo.

Everyone had a lot of compassion for them, but they walked around them in a big loop.

And then of course there is our boy himself.

Imagine, at a certain moment his eyes and mouth were sealed,

because he screamed so loudly from the pain.

31 operations until now, and there are still five heavy hail bulbs in my thigh.

- Should I show it, Mr. Chairman? - I do not think that's necessary.

It's not a problem. I'm used to it.

I have to prove every three years that I am still a victim anyway.

That I'm still a disabled person.

- What do you think? - Gramps, they listened to us.

- Finally. - Yes.

- Do you know what I feel like? - No.

I want to go to the sea.

Yes, I want to see that place where you left your first love.

But then I agree. Then we will first get my love, eh?

Good.

- Boe. - Ah, hey.

What do you think?

That's a good girl.

- That is a very good girl. - I think so too.

But... not as good as you.

That was a long time ago, boy.

- Sir, excuse me. Can I have that newspaper? - Yeah sure.

- You will get it back right away. - Here you go.

- Hilde De Moor. - Yes, it's Albert here. Van Den Abiel.

Hello, Albert.

- Congratulations, Hilde. Well done. - Ah, you've already heard of it.

Yes, I am happy. We have really been able to write a piece of history.

The police are being reformed.

Finally, victims and their next of kin will be recognized officially.

It is a big step forward.

What I want to know now...

Do you have the murderers?

Sorry, but that... Yes, that was not our...

Our assignment. - Yes, do you know or not?

Congratulations on the wonderful career you have built from our misery.

They are here.

Granny, Gramps, we went to Saint Maarten.

What a nice car.

- How is it going? - Good.

- Show it to Gramps. - Look, Gramps.

- But... Wow. - That's quite a car, isn't it?

- Soup with... - Meat balls.

Enjoy your meal.

Where are those meat balls?

Gramps, I have another invitation from Charleroi

for that meeting of victims and surviving relatives.

We have not been to one for so long. Maybe we should go again?

- When is that? - Next week Wednesday.

I don't know.

- You can go anyway? - Alone?

Nathalie can come along. In the meantime we are taking care of Yanni. Hey, dude? Hey?

That's not possible.

I can't anymore.

I'm exhausted, Albert.

I don't know how long I will be able to go on.

Come on, sit down. Come.

Hey, you can't keep asking them that, David.

I have pain.

Pain everywhere.

I want it to stop.

Thérèse, Gilbert, Rebecca. They call me.

What about me? I'm still here.

You are resourceful, Albert. Always have been.

If you stop, your resourcefulness will stop too.

People from the press, would you please leave the room?

And, Mr. Albert? Clean in the neck, but not too short from above?

- Something like that? - Exactly.

- Have you heard about Lepoudre? - Lepoudre?

He has received compensation through the European Court of Human Rights,

because he has been falsely accused all those years as the main suspect of the attack in Aalst.

Can you believe that? How can one manage to do that?

Yes... He is doing in antiques now. Here.

A clean store in Brussels. And he now calls himself Wijckmans Thibault.

So...

- Where exactly? - Somewhere on the Sablon.

Euh, Carlos...

- Can you also do my nose hairs later? - Yes.

- Yes, no problem. - Thanks.

That's a nice collection, isn't it? Excellent painter.

Mister Wijckmans Thibault.

Or what should I say? Le Manouche, Le Rat, Le Gitan, Mr. Propre?

Or just... Lepoudre.

Are you a journalist?

I swore I would never talk about the gang anymore. Please leave now.

Yes, you will talk to me about the Gang of Nivelles.

Delhaize, Saturday night, half past seven..

- I wasn't there. - That's not what I heard.

Put down your gun. It might go off.

That's what's supposed to happen yes.

I haven't always been a nice guy.

I used to be Belgium's most wanted gangster.

I did a lot of bad things, but never with those killers. Never.

I'm like you Mr. Van Den Abiel, I'm a businessman.

You know me? You know who I am?

Then you knew my son-in-law,

my daughter, my granddaughter? Hm?

I spent 20 years in jail reading all newspapers. Of course I know who you are.

What are you coming for? To avenge the death of your children. You hold me responsible.

Well ? What are you waiting for ? Go for it. Kill me. Do it. Go.

I will do that.

Turn around.

Turn around, I told you. There ! It's like that ?

That's how we give the coup de grace in the gang?

Stop with this gang bullshit. The gang, it never existed.

Different guys were recruited left and right. That's how it worked.

Mr. Van Den Abiel...

Can I ask you a simple question?

Who are the ones who gained the most from all this mess?

Who Mr. Van Den Abiel?

They will never find the gang members.

That is now 25 years. 25 years after the facts.

The tenth time that we are invited as victims and next of kin

to come and listen. To come listen to what?

To nothing. Because it is always the same. Is that research actually still going on?

Have results already been achieved?

Or is the whole plan to wait until it's too late?

Why don't you say anything?

Your silence... Your silence is terrible.

And is an insult to us all.

Yes. Anyway, I will not ask a question, because you do not answer them, apparently.

But I want to say something to you, madam, to you and to the body that you represent.

Against the judiciary.

It is quite personal, but...

I'm not okay.

And it does not go well with my wife either. Sorry.

She is ill. She is in pain. She wants to die.

And... I hope she does not blame me for saying this in public.

They can film. All I have to say is for everyone.

Look, I've been through three wars. The first was in '40, against the Germans.

Five years of misery.

The second was in 1960, in Belgian Congo.

Yes, our king, King Baudouin, felt insulted because of the

rather harsh words in the welcome speech from Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba.

And our politicians in Belgium felt that it should be avenged.

So with the help of Belgian soldiers Patrice Lumumba has been arrested, tortured

and liquidated without any form of process.

We had to run away from the fights and arrived here with nothing.

And with that nothing we just started over again.

25 years later, my third war.

Against the so-called Gang of Nivelles.

I have fought, but I don't know who the enemy is.

Were they bandits? It's possible.

Were the gendarmes? It is possible too.

Was it Homeland Security? Westland New Post? I do not know.

But in 1985 my grandson was mortally wounded,

my daughter, my son-in-law, my granddaughter were shot dead

on a parking lot of a department store during a robbery.

They were not robbed, not that. That's weird, isn't it?

Nothing has been taken from them.

Their life, yes. That was taken.

They have been executed cleanly.

Even with a grave shot, un coup de grâce, and that has never been investigated, ma'am. Never.

Again our politicians have not chosen the side of the people

which they are supposed to represent.

I am not saying that they are responsible or are the instigators of those atrocities.

Although...

I do not know.

In any case, they have done little or nothing to get that affair resolved.

On the contrary. They have done everything to increase the mystery around that gang.

They have systematically embarked on corrupt magistrates.

I'm sorry to say so, ma'am.

Several ministers of justice have misused their power.

Investigators were removed from the investigation early,

because they achieved results. Imagine that.

Others have been transfered for the same reasons.

Still others have been... expelled.

There is even one who has become so agitated, frustrated,

that he killed himself.

Intrigues were set up between bandits and soldiers

up to the highest ranks of the gendarmerie. And then the icing on the cake...

a notorious gangster, for years the main suspect,

received compensation from the European Court of Human Rights.

Very handily using the great community sorrow of Belgium,

all research was transferred from one language community to another,

so that it has been delayed for years.

It was chaos. Chaos.

And you could say: Yes, that's normal. That is...

That is Belgium. That's a bit... It's unwise, stupid. Hey, like...

I always used to say. But that is not true.

That chaos was structural.

There was a system in there. How come, do you think, that the CCC,

that communist terror cell from the same time period

who made many fewer victims,

was caught in less than two years?

While the investigation into the Gang of Nivelles is still going on.

That's impossible?

There are people who represent us in many agencies and governments

who determined that strategy,

who have that knowledge and thus the power.

They call them crocodiles in politics. Welll, I think that is very well chosen.

I think that's pretty. Crocodiles.

I've seen them in the Congo.

They can get very old. They have no natural enemies.

They are smart, strong, fast.

And dangerous and merciless.

Well, I call the crocodiles

to put aside their pride, their great justice, their legal truth

and tell us, let us know why we had to suffer all these years.

Who and what had to be protected?

What may and may not we know?

And I do not ask that for myself, ma'am, but I ask that for all these people here.

And for my grandson, David.

Boy, you know better than anyone that I am actually a man of few words.

We are not generous in our family with compliments.

But yes, the times were right either.

But know... Know, boy, that I...

love you dearly. That I admired you.

As a little boy, that you were lying there in that bed, with Sister Benedicta.

And do you remember that I promised you then

that I would hand over the murderers of your mum, your daddy and your sister to the court?

Yes, boy...

Sorry. Sorry, but I did not succeed.

You should not say sorry, Gramps.

Not you.

Granny died in 2010.

Albert died in 2011 of euthanasia.

David still pursuis his daily battle against injustice.

Between 1982 and 1985, 28 people were klillen and 40 wounded

during 17 raids by the "gang of Nivelles".

Their loot was always small.

All the victims and their families continue to hope

that the politicians and justice find the courage to react.

Today, there's still not a single person arrested.

Dedicated to all the victims.

DON'T SHOOT

Inspired by the book "Don't shoot, that's my dad" by David Van de Steen and Annemie Bulté