Original subtitles

IRIS HOEGAARDE portraits

Great photos. Willem Steenhouwer, lawyer.

I didn't want him to fall over the rail. I wanted to save him.

Can you arrange that he wasn't on that bridge?

Are you mad? I can't do that. Call Joachim.

I only remember Willem saying: I'll deal with it.

I had to give him 150.000 euro. - It was for my wife, an emergency.

We agreed to do it in cash. I made a fake invoice.

She's fed up with the family and really wants to testify.

The prosecutor was here. He'll let Bjorn go.

In exchange for Willem.

Shall we go home? I'd like to try again.

Willem Steenhouwer has been charged with murder.

He's charged with killing a whore.

You used to buy me a rose, remember?

I have the feeling things aren't over between us.

Couwenberg's calls were tapped.

So, I must be on some recording.

Those recordings are destroyed.

Please go, and be happy with your child and your husband.

BETRAYAL

TOMORROW

How's your stomach? - It's okay.

Twenty years, is it true what they say?

If I'm unlucky.

I read online that 20 years in the Netherlands...

...is only 12, 13 years. If I'm lucky.

No paintballing then.

But you were getting too old for that, right?

What a great father you have, eh?

You know, when you have kids, you try to imagine how things will be.

Then you look back...

...and everything turned out differently.

Are you seeing someone else? Another woman?

No.

Well, not anymore.

It's over.

Will you and mum get back together when...

...when you come out?

Your mother is angry at me.

My boy, I am sorry.

I am very sorry.

Who's that? - Some actress.

Never heard of her. - Neither have I.

I'm just doing my job.

Maybe we should watch soap operas every night for a while.

To bond again.

Sounds great.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow evening this will all be over.

Have you heard about Mar“?

She found some piece of paper in my study.

I hate the bitch. - Don't say that. She's your sister.

Is she really going to testify? - In any case, it's all my fault.

Including that you went to a building where people had knives.

I don't want you to go to jail.

Is there anything I can do?

Be nice to your mother.

Will you do that?

What's wrong, mum?

Nothing. We have to hurry.

The trial is today.

Yes, and there's nothing you can do about it.

How does that feel?

Say something.

I tried to do something.

What do you mean?

Menno was at school, Pepijn was at work.

I took a while before I had the guts to call.

Hello, Iris Hoegaarde speaking.

We know each other a bit, through Pepijn.

You knew already? We talked to each other?

Yes, now that you mention it.

I have a rather urgent question.

What does that have to do with... - I knew him...

...through Pepijn and all the drinks and parties at the Justice department...

...and from the times I dropped by.

He was introduced as Master Eavesdropper.

Hey Iris, Pepijn is at the court today.

I know, I came to see Mr Holtrop.

You can go in. - Thanks.

Where is Mr Holtrop? - Wim? Downstairs, in the basement.

I'm sorry.

You were at my exhibition?

Yes. - Did you like it?

I thought it was...

I thought it was beautiful.

Could we maybe go outside for ten minutes?

Get a breath of fresh air.

And then?

How's Menno doing at school?

You know about Menno?

No need to be polite. Yes, of course.

He's seven isn't he? - Yes.

My son is that age too.

Can we talk confidentially?

Really confidentially?

Of course.

I've thought about this for a long time. Too long.

Pepijn doesn't know I'm here and wouldn't approve of it either.

In fact, what I'm about to tell you will probably mean the end of my marriage.

All rise.

Good morning everyone.

I turn to the defendant.

Is your name Willem Maria Steenhouwer, born in Amsterdam on April 8, 1971...

...and do you live at Leopoldlaan 3 in Amsterdam Buitenveldert?

You are not obliged to answer questions...

...but must pay attention to what is being said.

The prosecutor will now read the charge. - Thank you.

Willem Steenhouwer is charged with wilfully murdering on May 16...

...Ms Natalia Korzachenko in her flat in Amsterdam...

...at or around 20.30 at night.

I have a steel pin in my hip. A skiing accident.

Just a moment.

It's in order.

I have to go to the toilet. I'll see you in a bit.

OK, I have to go to court.

I'll be back in a few hours, and we'll leave straightaway.

Keep your spirits up. Tonight you'll have chips in Flanders.

They have big chips, but I prefer the small, thin ones .

Now you prefer the small, thin ones again.

Your own daughter, who we'll be hearing from today...

...found an invoice by you, exhibit 17b, which did not appear in the books...

...addressed to Mr Couwenberg for 'special counsel', with that sum on it.

It was for my wife's restaurant...

...which wasn't doing very well. - For your wife.

Why then did it happen so secretly?

She didn't want money from her father. It was the only thing I could think of.

Mr Steenhouwer, isn't it so that you needed that money...

...to pay some people in sex club Baccara to give false statements?

That's not true and you can't prove it.

Hi.

I understand that you can't talk about certain things, you work for Pepijn...

...that you can't help me, and that it is impossible.

The thing is I'm at my wit's end.

Officially I don't know anything...

...but after all these years with Pepijn...

I know you hear things...

...in phone calls.

Mrs Couwenberg.

You are obliged to tell the truth...

...but as the wife of the defendant you also have the right of non-disclosure.

So, you don't have to answer all the questions.

Will you take an oath or make an affirmation?

An affirmation.

Your affirmation is:

I promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Repeat after me: I promise.

I promise.

Why did you not want money from your father?

I just didn't want it.

Were you ashamed your business was not doing well?

Yes.

That's why.

And then?

Willem said he could arrange something.

He didn't say what, something with his own company.

But he withheld the true origin of that money.

He lied to you.

Yes.

I can't say anything, you know that.

20 years in prison, that's what I'm hearing.

Willem Steenhouwer could get 20 years.

Someone must have a heard a phone call on that evening with my voice.

So I thought: I'm going to tell Wim Holtrop what's going on...

...that someone will be convicted for something he didn't do.

A grave injustice. - I have to go back, I'm sorry.

There must be something in a report, or someone must have heard it.

Proof that he was with me that evening, that he didn't do it.

Sorry. - Please.

And then? - Nothing.

Finished, the end, hopeless.

When did this... - A while ago.

Board member for operational affairs.

What does that mean?

I advise Mr Couwenberg and maintain contact with a number of relations.

And other things that might occur.

Other things? - Yes, what's strange about that?

Like creating an alibi for Bjorn Couwenberg?

I don't know what you mean. - Isn't it so that not my client...

...but you bribed people at the sex club...

...in order to get them to give false statements?

No.

I know that club, but I never did that.

I remind you that you're under oath.

As far as I know the people at the club have confirmed my statement, right?

I get the distinct impression those people are scared of you.

Well...

And Pepijn?

You said you wanted to try again. - The biggest mistake I ever made.

Even bigger than...

You came to me because you were afraid of crowds.

You became short of breath, dizzy, you hyperventilated.

But we never talked about that.

It's gotten worse.

Iris, I'm sorry that things have gone this way.

And that I was unable to help you.

Bye.

I'll take care of it, he said.

He needed a bit of money, well quite a bit.

I gave him the money.

No questions asked, that's what he wanted.

But why would he murder one of these people he bribed?

When you bribe people, most of them you never hear from again.

But some of them smell blood.

They want more and more, with no end in sight.

At least, that's how I think it goes.

Then you have to take different measures.

And you open yourself to blackmail.

OK, that's all.

The defense.

Mr Couwenberg, according to your statement and I quote:

I'm almost sure Willem said 'I'll take care of it.'

Yes. - Is that true?

The more I think about it the more certain I am.

Mr Chairman, what we're hearing are half truths.

Maybe, I thought, it could be, it was dark.

Mr Couwenberg, are you or aren't you sure that my client said this?

I remind you that you're under oath, Mr Couwenberg.

I'm sure.

The trial today...

You know, wiretapped conversations between lawyers and clients...

...must be destroyed.

Would you like to come in?

Hey"

What are you going to do? - What do you think?

Marit, it's dad.

You go, Victor. I won't be a minute.

This can't go on. - Is that why dad has to go to jail?

Grandpa, dad and now you. - You don't know what you're saying.

Do you know how old he'll be when he gets out? Above 50.

We'll be in our 30s.

30.

Can you take it back? - No.

Let go.

Would you like a drink?

Yes, a glass of water.

I hand in a written report, and sometimes recordings, to the prosecutor.

And they are charged with deleting the material.

So, De Ruiter heard that... - No.

Pepfin. - Pepfin?

You mean Pepijn knows that Willem... - When you hear as much as I do...

...you combine things, you find connections...

...you see patterns and mechanisms.

I hear people's lives through my headphones.

And...

...through Pepijn I've worked for the prosecutor for a long time...

You come by sometimes.

And your exhibition.

Wonderful, congratulations.

Thank you.

May 16.

I was working that night.

Willem, you know I love you, right?

I knew instantly what was going on.

And I was...

I was...

I have feelings for you.

For quite some time already.

What do you want?

I'm married.

I feel very guilty. It's...

...a kind of betrayal...

...in my mind with you.

You know...

...I would never have told you this...

...if I weren't...

Everyone calls me Wim.

But my full name is Willem.

Willem, you know I love you, right?

Marit Steenhouwer.

Hello, Marit.

Is your name Marit Huberta Steenhouwer, born on February 9, 1994 in Amsterdam?

Yes.

Will you take an oath or make an affirmation?

The affirmation.

Your affirmation is as follows:

I promise to speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Repeat after me: I promise.

I promise. - Thank you.

Since the defendant today is your father...

...you may answer questions, but you don't have to.

The right of non-disclosure, is that clear? - Yes.

Marit, can you tell us what you found in your father's study?

Will you... - What would you like to say?

Will you go after my grandpa as well?

Today it's about your father.

Because he's just as bad, even worse.

My grandpa is a criminal and my father helps him.

And they're not afraid to kill.

Marit, please just answer the questions.

This session is adjourned for an hour.

It's OK.

Marit used to go to ballet.

A princess.

She was very talented.

The National Ballet was even mentioned.

But from one day to the next she quit. Just like that.

She wouldn't go, she'd finished.

You were young when you had kids. - We thought she'd try again.

The next day we found her ballet skirt in the rubbish bin.

The next day.

Here you go.

Are you OK?

Where's Marit? - I don't know.

Stupid bitch. - Don't say that.

Don't say what?

You heard what she just said.

About our own bloody family. In front of everyone, damn it.

I can't get it out of my head. - What?

Did you bring it? - What do you mean?

Of course not, you idiot.

Are you sure? - What would I do with it here?

Do you think I'm mad or something?

What shall I do for the next 20 years?

A new study?

Play solitaire? Do sports?

I won't be getting many visitors.

Yes? - I've done something stupid.

What do you mean? - Elsie, I gave her something.

Gave her something? - She called me a while ago.

I said no, of course.

But she insisted and kept asking about it.

You know what your daughter's like.

What did you give her? - I said no 100 times.

In the end she said: If you won't give it to me, I'll get it downtown.

That seemed much more risky.

We'd leave you out of it. - What's wrong, dad?

Just tell me what's going on.

She just wanted to scare someone.

I shouldn't have done it last night.

I think she might have it with her. - You were there, what did she say?

That she didn't bring it, but I'm not sure.

Luckily the photographer isn't here. - And what if she turns up, you idiot?

Turn around.

What? - Go back home.

Hi, it's me.

Menno needs to be picked up from school but my sitter is ill.

Could you maybe...

Pepijn? No, he can't make it either.

Thank you, you're an angel. You won't forget?

Natalia Korzachenko was in the Netherlands illegally.

She was known as kind and hard-working.

It was well-known she sometimes took XTC...

...and sent money home, and was therefore always short on cash.

Willem Steenhouwer had gone well beyond his powers as a lawyer.

By organizing the alibi he had jeopardized his career, but...

...he did not consider Natalia's greed.

She wanted more, ever more money.

Willem Steenhouwer had one option left.

On May 16 at around 20.30 at night...

...he visited Natalia with a bottle of champagne.

We'll probably never know what was said...

...but we do know Natalia's stomach contained champagne...

...as well as the poisoned XTC that led to her death.

Willem Steenhouwer carefully wiped the bottle to get rid off any fingerprints...

...but, sadly for him, he wasn't thorough enough.

We found a few prints, his fingerprints.

I can therefore only conclude that it has been legally and conclusively proven...

...that he resolutely and wilfully took the victim's life.

Mr Chairman, the public prosecutor has not succeeded...

...in legally and conclusively proving that my client...

...that my client Willem Steenhouwer...

...on the evening of May 16 last took the life of Natalia Korzachenko.

The court will withdraw for deliberation. This session will be adjourned shortly.

You may remain seated.

Are we not going to Belgium anymore? - Belgium? Shut up about Belgium.

At the eleventh hour someone has come forward to give a statement.

That is highly unusual.

The court has considered whether this statement...

...could be of crucial importance in determining the truth.

Following deliberation the court has decided that this is indeed the case.

The witness will come in and give a statement...

...and the prosecutor and defense will be able to pose questions.

Mrs Hoegaarde?

Please come with me.

Let the witness enter.

Madam?

Mrs Hoegaarde, if you don't come, I'll tell the court...

You are Mrs Hoegaarde, born in Haarlem on June 18, 1983...

...and currently live at Entrepotdok 205 in Amsterdam.

You want to give a statement that may be crucial for this court case.

Yes.

Will you take an oath or make an affirmation?

Car park, around the corner. See you in a bit.

Mrs Hoegaarde? - An affirmation.

Your affirmation is: I promise to tell the whole...

Sir.

I testified only this morning. - Could I still see your passport?

Here you go, bureaucrat.

Repeat after me: I promise.

I promise.

Mrs Hoegaarde...

What can you tell us about the murder of Natalia Korzachenko?

Quiet, please. - Iris, don't do it.

Don't do it. - Quiet.

Please, Mrs Hoegaarde.

All right.

At 20.30 hours on May 16 I was at Willem Steenhouwer's office.

I can proof it.

He received a phone call.

Which was recorded. - Your Honor, I object to this statement.

No, I want to give this woman a chance to make her statement. Please continue.

Someone...

...made a recording of it for personal reasons.

It's a copy of...

I'm on my way. - OK.

Hurry up. - Willem you know I love you, right?

Ten minutes.

Hey, darling.

Where's mum? - She had to do something.

And your real sitter, she's ill.

So, you can come with me.

Really, sweetheart. Come.

You know what?

Let's call mum, shall we?

Have you seen Willem?

And the boy?

What do you mean? - Did you tell him...

They know everything.

How are you going to manage when you're in jail?

His dad might come back.

We haven't decided yet.

Do you think that's a good idea?

When are you leaving? - We're not going anymore.

Not? - I cancelled everything.

I want to be nearby when you're in jail.

That's a shame.

What do you mean? - A shame you're not going to Belgium.

Why? - You don't have to nearby.

The thing is, dad...

You have to go.

And get out of my life...

...and my children's lives.

I don't want to see you.

And I mean never. - Elsie...

Please, Elsie.

OK.

Let's go, Bjorn.

Where are we going?

Dad?

Just drive.

We'll see.

Hey, darling. I've missed you.

My shoulder. - Are you well again?

Yes, almost.

I bought some comics. They're on the table.

How are things? - Bloody awful.

Apart from that I'm fine.

Have you found a new job? - I was suspended, not fired.

The investigation is on-going. Maybe I'll just be reprimanded, and might still be...

What do you care? - You won't believe me, but...

But what? - It was never my intention to hurt you.

Save me your bullshit.

The lawyers will suggest a settlement soon.

Pepijn, we have a child... - Shut up, woman.

Your lying and fucking has given my child a trauma.

Will the lawyers take into account that you tried to convict an innocent man?

All the best, I'm staying at Ben's for a while.

So, you can go home.

Bye, my boy-

See you next week. - Bye, dad.

Bye, son.

It's so weird.

First you tell everyone your dad's going to jail.

But wait, it's my mum.

At least it's not boring. - Jesus,dad.

There are mitigating circumstances.

That woman was only injured. Your mum won't be in jail long.

That woman?

I fell in love.

I'm very sorry.

But I think you know how it feels now.

I'm just glad you didn't kill anyone.

Did you really believe that?

That champagne.

It's a mystery.

When I was little we went to the off-license.

Do you remember?

We bought champagne, went to grandpa's...

...and we put everything in the cellar.

What's wrong?

We? - I must have touched a bottle...

...that ended up there.

First I thought he stole the bottle from my house.

Then I thought he changed the bottle. It's all rubbish.

Again? I have a cellar full of champagne from you.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Finished. - Finished?

There's more in the breadbin. You can get it.

It's nice and quiet here.