Original subtitles

MAMMON

It was a random tip-off.

-I didn’t know it would lead to you. -I want you to look after my family.

Michal especially.

Dan was my source, don’t you get it?

Ales!

If you're really telling the truth, then you have an amazing ability

to turn up at the wrong place every time.

Why do you think Mr Vlcek lied to us about your presence at the scene?

To protect me and my son.

Today I found out that Daniel gave dad a painting of Abraham.

Dad’s university ring from Budapest.

-On the hand of someone who's about to slit his son’s throat. -Michal!

I got an email. I think somebody’s trying to help me out.

They let a child burn to death in there.

The person who sent it is the only lead now.

-Vlcek is at your policewoman's place. -He won’t make any problems.

My brother sent me some rather interesting documents before he died.

I'd bribe every cabinet member with a say in the privatisation,

because that would be a worthwhile investment.

The finance minister overseeing the privatisation of a state-owned company

is a close friend of the CEO of that company!

Hence the second reason why the PM believes that meeting with you

would not be very sensible under the circumstances.

To understand the evil, you have to go back 25 years.

Tell me who you are.

Stop acting like you have nothing to lose, Vlcek.

THE CHILDREN

Lucinka?

-Hi. -Hi.

-How are you? -Good. -Good?

-Is your mum home? -Yeah.

Luci?

Lucie!

Lucinka!

Come to me. Come here.

You startled her. We were just talking.

-Get lost, or I'll call the police. -You will not.

What do you want from me? I told you I don't have anything!

You also said you didn't know your husband would try to leave the country.

And we also know it was you who sent the video to Vlcek.

I'm not lying. I don't know what you want. If I did, I would give it to you!

Leave me alone! I swear I don't have anything!

-You shouldn't leave the gate unlocked. -Please!

-Or anyone who wants to can get to you. -Please!

I want you to understand one thing, Mrs Tomanova.

If you are hiding something from us, we can hide something from you too.

And if we don't find our item,

you will never find yours either.

Keep your gate locked.

-What the fuck are you trying to do? -Is there a problem?

Is there a problem?!

Maybe that you've gone behind my back for the second time now?

-Max! -I didn't ask you anything!

I want to hear him!

So what are you trying to do?

I've been in charge of this paper for years and we never had to deal with such bullshit.

We always talked straight. Either you trust me or you don't.

Well in that case, I guess I don't.

I think Kontext is starting a slow decline under your management,

and I find your refusal to print potentially major revelations unfathomable.

We can't make up lies, and then verify them later

That's just not how this business works!

That contract stinks from the get-go, and you know it!

Leave it to the lawyers to decide what stinks or doesn't.

Your job is to discover cases, come up with new information and sell papers.

That contract is going to break our back.

It’s too neat to be true.

I refuse to write about it.

You are not going to write about it.

That's why I told Marie to.

She came with it, so I think it's only logical she carries on.

-Sir! -Minister, sir!

-Is it true that you signed an agreement with Toman and Spevacek? -Let us through!

Were you paid to let them win the Central Energy tender?

-Will you comment on these accusations? -It's all nonsense.

-Minister! -Minister!

Answer the question!

TENDER PRE-ARRANGED BY MINISTER HORVAT

I did what you wanted, and that's that.

You promised to help me.

You're not being frank with me. You're not telling me the whole truth.

You haven't understood anything, have you?

Do you want to hear the whole truth?

Do you think you can take it?

Will it be worth knowing?

The truth is what brought down Vlcek and Ales.

They died because of that 'truth' of yours.

The less you know, the safer you are.

You and your kids.

Come closer to me.

-They'll recognise me. -You think I’m stupid?

Don't call me again.

What can I do on my own? I have no idea what they want from me!

Let’s go, boys!

Lucinka...

Ups-a-daisy!

The whole scandal started with an article in today's issue of the daily Kontext,

which claims to have found a connection between a number of influential men.

Aside from Minister Horvat, the deal was purportedly signed by the late Ales Toman,

the former CEO of Central Energy, and businessman Karel Spevacek.

Will you comment on the accusations, Mr Spevacek?

I haven't even had time to open my eyes yet.

Well look at that...

Samuel Pleva. Married, two kids.

Hang on. Pleva? That Pleva?

-Director of the Petrochemic Company. -Yeah.

A big fish.

We have to try to get more out of him.

That we do.

Bye for now.

It was you who called me.

What do you want from me?

What happened 25 years ago?

I don't know what you're talking about. Stop bothering me.

You're trying to tell me something, but you are afraid.

I can help you.

-Leave now, or I will call the police. -Tell me!

You're my only lead.

The leads are all around you, you just don't see them.

The contract with Horvat...

Do you think it is just a coincidence that it got out today?

-Everything alright, Mr Pleva? -Yes. Thanks.

I'll get in touch with you, but now, for God's sake, go.

They can’t see you with me.

I can take care of myself.

It's not you I'm worried about, Mr Vlcek.

-Hi. -Come have a seat.

Do you know how it made me look when word got out?

That my eldest son went to study at a private school abroad?

A school that only the biggest communist fat cats could get their kids into?

-It flew in the face of everything I'd done. -Why does everything have to be about you?

Dad was an adult already.

It’s normal that he didn’t want to do everything your way.

For a normal person back then, that school cost an unimaginable amount of money.

We couldn't have sent him there even if we'd wanted to.

But he found the money. On his own.

-And where? -Well he didn't make it doing summer jobs.

He got his hands dirty. He started playing their game, and...

It followed him ever after.

-There. -Thanks, Alenka.

-How much time? -Five minutes.

-Minister? -I don't have time now. -I won't keep you long.

-They're lies. -Of course they are.

So you believe me?

That's not particularly important at the moment.

What's important is that you've become a burden for this administration.

Are you going to be controlled by reporters who only care about building readership?

They made it up!

I'm telling you, I never signed any contract like that!

I would be crazy to do something like that.

Mr Horvat, you still don't understand.

This has all reached a phase where it doesn't matter

whether or not you signed something.

They're going to tear you to pieces.

And when they're done with you, it will be someone else's turn.

Maybe the prime minister’s?

The most reasonable thing to do in your situation would be to voluntarily resign.

Ideally, right now at the press conference.

I have no reason to resign.

Don't be ridiculous, it's not like this is your first year in office.

Resign, and in a few months the press will have forgotten you,

you'll have a nice position on a steering committee somewhere.

Hello.

I would like to comment on the accusations that have been brought against me

in today's edition of the daily Kontext.

As a politician I have always tried to maintain moral integrity.

I have always acted only in the best interests of the Czech Republic,

and I believe that every politician should do the same.

Just as I believe that every politician should acknowledge their mistakes

and bow out if they have damaged the trust of their voters to such an extent

that they can no longer execute their office.

And because I truly do believe this,

I do not intend to fall prey to vile lies

that are merely trying to discredit me and blacken my name.

I fundamentally reject all claims by Kontext about any involvement on my part

in any kind of dubious contract between myself and Mr Toman and Mr Spevacek.

They have no basis in truth.

But you did know Ales Toman?

We said no questions.

Yes, I knew Ales Toman. But I never denied that.

-Did you not think it was important? -Miss Kralova…

I have lots of friends and no need to explain them all.

Yes but the contract suggests you agreed to hand the CE privatization to EnergyStar.

There is no contract! It's a sham!

Where will you go from here? Do you intend to sue Kontext?

Yes, I am considering the possibility. I will be consulting with my lawyers.

Thank you for your attention, that's everything I wanted to say.

-Minister! -Did you know Mr Spevacek?

The press conference has ended, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you.

What a beautiful place you chose.

It's quiet here.

I thought you might prefer that people not see us together.

That's thoughtful of you.

I guess I don't need to tell you what this is about.

The contract is complete bullshit.

EnergyStar is dropping out of the tender.

They don’t stand a chance of coping with this.

You must regret that.

You must have lost a nice bonus for your services.

Or are you more worried about the blow to your reputation?

I don't care about my reputation, I'll buy a new one.

I'm more concerned about your people picking through that contract.

-I can't help you with that. -I think you can.

We don't even have the contract yet. So far it's only in the papers.

And once you do get it?

Once we get it, your problems will disappear, Mr Spevacek.

I knew a walk in the fresh air would do me good.

We did get something else though.

A video recording from 1998.

I guess you don't know anything about that either?

What video recording?

You won't have to worry about that either.

-Hi. -Hi.

Have a seat.

Where did you find that video?

I wrote it in the report.

I found it when I was checking Toman's computer.

Toman's computer was here at the station.

I make disk copies.

Aha.

OK, thanks.

-And who's working on the case now? -Nobody, it’s closed.

-What? -Nothing could be done with it.

-Josef, a little girl burnt to death! -The video is utterly useless.

We can't see anyone's face, there's nothing to tie it to. Period.

Stela!

-I know you are still seeing Vlcek. -That's none of your business.

I think we've already clarified whether it's my business or not.

-You work with sensitive information. -I can separate my work and my private life.

Can you?

Nice shot.

Who took it? Can you give me their number?

Just end it. Is that clear?

Go to hell.

Doubrava wants Marie to keep covering it.

I think it's a fake though.

-It doesn't seem right to me either. -I told her the moment she came up with it.

Hard-headed cow.

-So this is all there is? -Exactly.

There’s nothing more to the case than a fucking Xerox.

-I was at Horvat's press conference. -And? -I think I believe him.

I could be wrong, but I don't think he knows anything about that contract.

Try having a go at it yourself.

-You just said Marie is working on it. -Yeah, but she's doing it badly.

It’s going to turn out to be a sham. I’ll sleep easier

if I know I have another version of the story covered.

It might be worth trying Sramek again.

OK.

Wait here, please.

Mr Sramek, you have a visitor.

I told you I don’t have time.

-It’s Petr Vlcek. -Have him come in.

If you please.

-Thanks. -You're welcome.

-Hello. -Hello.

Have a seat.

I heard you had an incident at the auction.

-No. -Did you call the police?

No. It was just some drunk.

You'd expect people at that kind of event to have some manners.

Did you know about the contract?

No.

Will you have a coffee?

Ours is excellent.

Come with me.

I didn’t know about the contract. If I had, we would've checked it out a long time ago.

I presume you don't know who sent it either?

We don't get many letters with a return address, Mr Vlcek.

Does the name Samuel Pleva ring any bells?

He's owns the Petrochemic Company. Why do you ask?

Because we spoke about it recently.

Do you know each other well? Do you find him trustworthy?

I've had no reason to think otherwise.

-Hello, Mr Sramek. -Hello...

We'll have two... frappés?

-Two frappés. -Sure, have a seat, I’ll bring them.

Thank you.

-After you. -Thanks.

And what do you make of that contract?

Do you think it is genuine?

Honestly?

No, probably not.

Have a seat.

Look, I regret what it's caused.

But it damages us as much as them.

As much as it does Horvat and Spevacek?

Institutions are not that different from politicians or businessmen.

In both cases, if you lose credibility, you're finished.

It took us two years before anyone took the Anti-Corruption Archive seriously.

We had to show them, step by step, that we were serious about it.

I regret what happened.

The document was to never leave the archive

and it certainly shouldn't have gotten into the hands of journalists.

In any case, we've sent it for an expert assessment.

So you don't believe them either.

I am not naive, Mr Vlcek.

I know how it goes.

I know the best politicians are often the best actors.

And I am not so confident in this position yet

that I can tell for sure who plays their role well and who doesn't.

Mr Sramek, it’s time. We have to go.

Well I guess we’ll leave the coffee for next time, Mr Vlcek.

-Nice to see you. -Goodbye.

Hi, what are you doing here?

They want something from me, Eva. I don't know what, but I don't have it.

It must be you. You have to give it to them.

What are you talking about, Ivona? Give what to whom?

-I think they kidnapped my son. -What?

He hasn't picked up the phone in days. You don't know these people, Eva.

-They'll stop at nothing until they get it. -But I don't know what.

Look, wait here for me. I have to go, I’ll be back soon.

-Just find it! -Ivona!

I hated him.

For what he did.

For what he got mom and me into.

I hated him so much it made me feel sick.

I couldn't think about anything else.

It's normal to be angry.

Yeah, but it's not normal to be angry for 20 years!

I couldn't stand it.

-Are you serious? -He knew I didn't want him going to that school.

I begged him not to go there.

He knew what I thought and he ignored me anyway.

-He was 20 years old! -He only did it to spite me!

That's what it was all about. Your father always knew exactly what he was doing.

And he knew back then too.

-What's going on? -I'm going back to Prague.

-But your mother said you should… -I talked to her.

-I have a train to catch, take care. -You haven’t talked to your mum!

-Get out of my way. -Michal!

You weren't able to break dad, so don’t think you’re going to break me.

Do you want to hit me?

-Well go ahead. -Stop this!

You're not going to tell me what to do.

Did it ever occur to you that you made dad what he was?

That all the things you hated about him might have been of your own doing?

You’ve got to be kidding… They called you?

-They're worried about you -Yeah right.

-Hang on, stop being an idiot. -I'm being an idiot?

This is seriously dangerous, godammit!

Should I stay holed up in a rectory the rest of my life? Is that the answer?

-I can’t stand that man, he's… -The man's your grandfather.

Were you a disappointment to him too, like dad was?

I had it easier. Dan was like the lightning rod.

He got the blame for everything.

All anyone ever does is spit on him.

He's dead half a year, and they're still throwing dirt at him.

Even his own father thinks he sold himself to the communists so he could go to college.

That somebody paid it for him.

Somebody has to stick up for him, since he can't stick up for himself.

I have to go. And you go home!

-Yes? -Take the metro to the Florence station.

-Make sure you're not followed. -OK, but I need…

Shit...

-Yes? -Smichov Station.

I’m sorry, but couldn’t we meet in some normal way?

Fuck.

-I’m here. -Platform #1.

Platform #1. Fine.

-Were you followed? -No.

Now will you finally tell me what you're so afraid of?

-You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into. -Yeah?

But I'm in it now, so it hardly matters.

What about that contract?

Who planted it? Was that you too?

Who is on that video?

There was a small child. A little girl. Do you know that?

His name was Kopriva.

He broke the pact and that was his punishment.

What pact?

-The Abraham Pact. -Of course.

The paintings…

Do you want to know why your brother and Toman had to die?

Because they made a mistake.

-They got ground up by their own system. -What system?

Kids' stuff that got out of hand.

A drunken idea that Daniel came up with in school.

So he thought all this up?

What was it about?

Money?

What do you call money?

A million? Two million?

We dreamed of castles in the sky and in the end, we built them.

We got further than we ever thought we could.

Because we had to. Because of the pact.

You had a choice.

If a member of the pact broke the agreement or wanted out...

Then it was either him or his child.

What happened 25 years ago?

We met.

Who all was involved in this?

Who did you tell about me?

Who all was involved in it? Dan, Toman, you, who else?

Who orchestrates it?

The saddest thing is that in the end he's going to win.

The National Mining Company.

They're trying to do it again. The same model but a lot more money.

This can end here and now if you tell me everything.

It will end here and now.

I'm sorry.

My train is here.

No!

Come on, get inside!

Half the police force is looking for you.

-I didn’t push him. You've got to help me. -You can't stay here.

-I know. -You have to turn yourself in. -No way.

The longer you put it off the worse it will be for you!

-Any progress with the video? -They shelved the case. Lack of evidence.

Fuck! Listen to this... Pleva talked about National Mining.

He said something about a repeat of it. Same model, more money.

Find out what it was about. I’ll be in touch.

I don't have time to discuss this now.

I saw the news.

-Hang on... -I can't get through to Michal. Have you talked to him?

Thank you.

I talked to him. I told him to go home.

-What? -Take it easy...

Police on the case are searching for journalist Petr Vlcek.

Don't worry, he's a big boy.

He's sure to be back soon.

Look, I've got to go.

Petr...

-Jachym? -Hey.

-Jachym, where are you?! -In school, where else?

-Dammit, can’t you at least get in touch? I've been mad with worry… -Sorry, mum...

What's wrong?

Mum?

It doesn't matter what Horvat says.

The more he talks the worse he makes it.

The contract worked like it was supposed to. People want to believe it.

No. I'll take care of Vlckova myself.

-Hi. It's Karel Spevacek. -Is there something wrong?

Sorry, to burst in on you, but...

Could we talk it over inside? I'm in front of the house.

Yeah, alright. Fine.

Could you open the garage for me? I don't want rumours spreading.

-You know what I mean. -Yeah.

You know the way.

Karel?

I'm sorry.

I brashly thought I'd have a look at his study.

I used to be here every other day.

Why did you come?

Daniel and I did business together, as you know.

-The thing is, he promised me something. -Promised you?

-What? -If you have to ask, then you probably don't know.

-No, indeed I don't. -Pity. The thing is…

You may have noticed the media is all over my back at the moment

because of that nonsense around EnergyStar.

I don't want to give them more pretexts for speculation.

Moreover, they'd probably start writing about Daniel again, and I am sure that…

Is there anything else you wanted?

Eva, I didn't mean to offend you. You know I liked him.

Understand that in my situation…

I don't have anything from Daniel for you or for anyone else.

That is all I can tell you.

Thanks.

-And I apologise if I in any way… -That's fine.

You know the way out, right?

Then go ahead.

Bye.

Hi.

-How do you know the police aren't here waiting for you? -Because I followed you.

-May I come in? Or shall I try my luck with the neighbours? -Come on then.

Pleva knew about the contract.

He knew it was a fake?

I don't know. But he knew about it.

I had a look at it again.

It is the kind of contract that is deposited in Swiss banks.

-Is there a way to check that? -Not really.

These secret contracts exist, but the banks can’t confirm or deny their existence

unless a court or whatever orders them to do so.

Which comes in pretty handy for whoever planted it.

Yep. I'm not buying it either.

Who would do it though?

Who would gain from it?

Maybe one of the three.

Although I guess we can rule out Toman.

Unless he timed his suicide badly.

Horvat has been preparing the privatisation for years now.

What would he gain from stopping it?

-So that leaves Spevacek. -That doesn't make sense either.

Because if anyone has an interest in that privatisation taking place, it's him.

EnergyStar must have promised a fat bonus if they won, since he was representing them.

And what about you?

What about me?

Are you really okay?

I will be, once all this is over.

I just wanted to tell you...

You can always count on my help.

Could I ask for your attention for a moment?

We have a couple of things to say.

As of tomorrow there will be a few changes in the editorial office.

Or rather, one major one.

Marie will be the head editor.

She'll be deciding the headlines and main articles.

I have, of course, discussed the change with Max, and he agreed…

Marie?!

I guess that’s everything.

...are searching for Petr Vlcek, who was at all three suicides...

You can go about your work.

Well let's try Slovak then.

That’ll work.

-Please, have a seat. -Thank you.

I didn’t expect you to arrive so soon.

-I hope it's not a problem. -Not at all.

I just hope it will be worth your trip here.

-Hopefully. -Your father was hard to overlook.

He had very original ideas.

I supervised his dissertation actually.

Yes, so you wrote me, and...

Do you have it here?

It caused a lot of discussion around here.

Like with anything your father was involved in.

He was a natural leader.

He won respect even in his first year.

Could I borrow it?

-Of course. -Thanks very much.

You've been a great help. Thanks for your time.

I have to be going. I want to try the archive.

Maybe find out a bit more about my dad there.

The archive has been closed for the last 20 minutes.

I'm afraid you'll have to leave it to the morning.

In any case, thanks very much. You’ve helped me a lot.

-Take care, goodbye. -Farewell.

Did you forget something?

I’d just like to ask...

How much did tuition cost back then?

You got me there…

It was quite a lot, but I can't remember exactly.

If you wanted to study here, you had to have connections.

And money.

But that wasn't your father's case.

-How do you mean? -He had a scholarship.

He didn't pay anything.

He was helped a lot by the recommendation of one of our assistants.

Aha.

-I see. Thanks a lot! -Farewell.

-Thank you, goodbye. -Goodbye.

-Hello. -Hello.

I need to have a look at the file on the company 'National Mining'.

Aha... I'm sorry.

The National Mining Company file is under special security.

I can't give it to you.

'Special security'?

Sorry.

-Well, goodbye then. -Goodbye.

-Ms Skalova! -Stella.

I need to get to a file under special security.

Nice to see you too.

Can you arrange that?

What file do you need?

I understand.

Do you remember I told you that one day you'd have to decide whose side you're on?

-Would you like a lift? -No thanks.

-Good evening. -Good evening.

-Good evening. -Good evening.

Come in.

-Good evening. -Minister Horvat. Good evening.

We could see each other in court.

I file a lawsuit, you defend yourself,

and we do exactly what society expects of us.

But...

I thought I would try a more personal approach.

That contract is a fake.

I don't know if you realise it.

I don't know whether...

you are intentionally playing someone else's game.

I would actually feel better if you were.

Because then at least I would know there was no way to prevent it.

For you it's just a few lines on paper, but it will destroy me.

Everything I have tried to do. Years of work.

One lie.

I don't know what you want to hear from me.

The truth.

-Hi. -Hi.

Where will we go? We can’t go to your place.

I’m sorry...

-Police! -Don’t move!

-Get down! -Hands behind your back!

Slowly now, let's go. Slowly...

Slowly...

You made the right decision.

The judge will remand him.

It's ready for you.

Thank you.

Somebody up there really likes you.

These kinds of requests usually take months.

-Is everything alright? -Yeah, thanks.

-Mr Bacak? -Yes?

Stela Nemeckova. Hello.

What do you want?

I was just in the archive, looking at the National Mining Company file...

A lot of it has been censored though, and since you were the main investigator,

I thought maybe we could meet and discuss it.

No.

-No? -Don't call me again.

But Mr Bacak… Hello?

Petr...

I had to do it.

I was in the archive. The National Mining file was under special security.

And did you find anything out?

Almost nothing.

The pages were more black than white.

They're trying to cover it up.

Pleva was in on it too. Just like my brother and Toman.

But I think there's somebody else in it too, somebody invisible

who controls the whole thing.

Michal emailed me this today.

Daniel’s classmates from Budapest. Pleva, Toman, Spevacek.

Three of them are already dead.

Only Spevacek is still alive.

-And this guy? -Kopriva.

Of course, the father of the murdered girl.

In the 90s he was a pretty big name in business.

He owned several football clubs.

Missing since ‘98.

-That sounds about right. -His body was never found.

Bye.

No, do it the way we said at the steering meeting.

What the...! No!

Anna!

Anna!

translation and subtitles Christian Falvey