Original subtitles

MAMMON

-Minister, sir! -Is it true that you signed an agreement with Toman and Spevacek?

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

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?

I refuse to write about this.

You are not going to write about it.

That's why I told Marie to.

What happened 25 years ago?

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

You won't tell me what to do.

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

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

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. -I'm sorry. My train is here.

No!

-I'm sorry... -Police!

-Get down! -Hands behind your back!

You made the right decision.

Michal emailed you this.

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

-Three of them are already dead. -I think there's somebody else in this.

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.

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.

They'll stop at nothing until they get it.

THE ROOTS

-Good evening. -Hello, Ms Vlckova. Lt Stach.

-What happened? -It was like this when I got here,

the whole place turned upside-down.

You didn't see anyone? Is anything missing?

Not that I've noticed.

Aren't you one of the men who interrogated Petr?

I'm investigating your brother-in-law's case, yes.

And have you made any progress?

If I had, I couldn't tell you, Ms Vlckova. You understand that of course.

-Do you think this could be related? -I'm sure of it.

Is something wrong, Ms Vlckova?

No, I'm just worried about my son.

Well, come show me around.

First Central Energy CEO Daniel Vlcek, then his successor Ales Toman

and now one of the most powerful businessmen in the chemical industry, Samuel Pleva.

All the three suicides are linked by the same name, Petr Vlcek.

Police confirm the investigative journalist, and brother of Daniel Vlcek, is in custody.

Did something happen?

I assure our readers that our paper has nothing to do with this whatsoever.

But we will be closely following the situation around Petr Vlcek.

We're sorry, but the number…

-Hi. -This really isn't a good time.

-What's wrong? -Someone broke into the house.

My god, are you alright?

-Could I come up? -OK, come on up.

-Why are you here, Karel? -May I come in?

I have some information about your brother-in-law.

What information?

He's been taken into custody.

He was present at three suicides. That is quite difficult to explain.

Is that all you came to tell me?

No.

What's that?

1.4 million crowns.

Money for the bail. As far as I know, it should be enough.

Why are you doing this?

Because I can't bail him out myself

and I don't suppose you have this kind of money at the moment.

No, I mean why are you doing this. What do you care about Petr?

Because I think he's doing good work, and he should keep at it.

That's all.

Bye.

-My name is… -I know who you are, Mr Kalensky.

I can't afford a lawyer like you.

All you have to do is sign this, stating that I represent you,

and you'll be out of here in no time.

Who sent you here?

-Does it matter? -It does.

Your sister-in-law.

We can call her if you want, but it's 2 a.m.

So, let’s get you out of this hole.

Mr Bacak?

Stela Nemeckova, hello.

We spoke over the phone.

I clearly told you not to bother me.

I don't want to make any trouble for you, I just need help.

Nobody knows I am here, and nobody ever has to.

Why should I believe you?

Because there are people dying and more might die if you don't help me.

Samuel Pleva killed himself and the last thing he said

was that the National Mining case was about to happen again.

You know what he meant by that, don't you?

-Thank you. Goodbye. -Goodbye.

-So how are you feeling? -The doctor said they're only contusions.

-I'm glad to hear it. -We can go.

Did you call Eva?

Petr is in custody.

What?

She couldn't come. She went to post his bail.

Almost a million and a half. Don't you wonder where she got it?

Please don't start again.

You want to blame her for finding the money?

She didn't find it. She got it.

-What does it matter? -Oh come on.

Yeah, what does it matter! Isn't the important thing that she helps him?

Do you think it helped Daniel?

-Stop it. -This is how it all started, Anna!

No one gives you a million crowns for nothing. He wants something in return.

We're still going round the same vicious circle Daniel fell into.

We never got out of it, and it's still following us.

Look at yourself!

You think this was a coincidence? You think it's just happening for no reason?

I'm sick of it!

And I refuse to just look on without doing anything, like I did with Daniel,

while the people I love suffer.

National Mining was a big case of fraud against the state, wasn't it?

But it was never investigated.

The method is the thing.

The way they did it.

This is everything you have?

It's a proper mess.

I spent almost two years on that case.

-And what happened? -What do you think?

They forced me to divide the investigation up into multiple cases.

When I refused, they took me off it.

Typical.

Why didn't you tell anyone?

-You could have gone to the press. -They made sure I would never tell anyone.

You get it now?

And... who forced you?

What kind of people are these?

Mr Vlcek. How are you feeling?

-Excuse me... -Is it true your sister-in-law paid bail?

What are the charges against you? -Mr Vlcek!

Ms Vlckova, where did you get the money for the bail?

You paid for a lawyer for me?

I didn't even know you had a lawyer.

Your dad called me.

Someone broke into the rectory, Anna surprised them.

-What? -Don't worry, she's OK.

She just was just in shock.

They went to my place too.

They're looking for something, I don't know what, but they clearly think I have it.

I'm worried about Michal.

-It's odd that he hasn't called yet. -He'll call.

Where did you get the money for the bail?

Eva?

From Spevacek.

Where shall I drop you off?

If Pleva told you that National Mining was going to happen again,

then someone wants to use the same model.

The same trick.

Toman and Spevacek?

They were part of the management at the beginning of the privatisation.

But there are other names behind it.

-Pleva? -Yeah.

Daniel Vlcek.

Probably.

We never found anything on him though.

-So... How did they do it? -Nothing complicated.

They siphoned money off the company and into foreign countries.

Then they used intermediaries to buy it back with the same money. That's it.

-That's it? -Yes, but it was a sophisticated job, believe me.

They had it perfectly thought through.

You'll see yourself.

The original file.

Before they took me off it I made copies of everything.

Who was supervising the case then?

Jana Skalova. She was the one who froze the case.

Could I borrow this?

As long as you don't tell anyone where you got it.

I swore I'd never touch this case again, and I plan to keep it that way.

You can count on it.

Thank you.

The case is already time lapsed but those guys are still around.

And I'll tell you one thing:

They won't be happy about someone digging around in it again.

If I were you...

I'd carefully consider whether it's worth it to you.

Goodbye.

What the fuck?

-Hi. -Well hello there.

What's going on, Max? I can't get in to the office.

Yep.

-Doubrava doesn't want you working here anymore. -What?

-And you agreed? -Dammit I have nothing to do with this.

-You know my hands are tied. -I don't have anywhere to go now though.

I need to get my things!

-Back entrance. -Right.

-What the hell? -Come on!

-Is Doubrava off his fucking nut? -Come downstairs.

Quick.

It's nothing much, but you'll have peace and quiet.

I don't have to tell you you're not supposed to be here.

And if they find you here we're both up shit creek.

What the fuck was Martin doing there?

-Could you not send some intern? -Marie sent him.

I'm trying to calm the ruckus around you as much as I can, but I’m the only one.

I'll get you on the internet and try to get all your disks.

You'll have peace of mind here to get it all together.

-Thanks. -I'm trying to clear you, but to be honest,

there isn't much evidence for your innocence.

And I don't want to make something out of nothing like they do.

So you think it's Spevacek?

He gave Eva 1.4 million to get me out of custody.

Quite a nice gesture considering we've only met twice, don't you think?

What is he expecting in return?

Does he think he can buy you?

That is the million-crown question. Or 1.4 million rather.

Well what do you want to do?

I'll just go see him and ask him straight out.

Could you try to do it without him dying?

I'll go for the computer.

Stela?

I just wanted to tell you that I greatly appreciate your decision on Petr Vlcek.

I imagine it wasn't easy for you.

Still trying to figure out Daniel Vlcek's bribes?

I'm trying to figure out what these three dead guys have in common.

And you think it's National Mining?

Nothing gets past you.

I was just wondering what you were so interested in in the archive.

It was a red herring anyway. It didn't lead anywhere.

Too bad.

It is.

Go on, do it! Say it!

Mum, do what they want.

-No... -Say it again! -Mum, do what they want.

I want to talk to you.

Hello.

This is not a good time, Mr Vlcek. Can't you see I have a meeting?

That's fine. I was about to leave anyway.

Hello there!

-How is your investigation going? -You know how it goes...

When you have friends, everything is easier.

Well... Goodbye then, I won't keep you any longer. And once again, my apologies.

Does making an appointment in advance mean anything to you, Mr Vlcek?

Last time you did so well.

What did Mr Sramek want?

He's still dealing with that contract, apologising to everyone.

I wouldn't be surprised if he went to Toman's tomb to ask forgiveness.

-Don't you have anything to say to me? -Like what?

Like why you paid a million and a half to get me out of custody?

So you've come to complain?

I'll tell you why I got you out.

Because the idea of you being at large is better than that of you

being in the clutches of policemen and their curious questions.

-Are you trying to buy me, Mr Spevacek? -Why are we even talking about this?

As they say: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

I know you were in the Abraham Pact.

I know you studied with Daniel in Budapest and I know you're the last one left alive.

And I presume you think you know more than enough.

Cyril Kopriva.

You all killed his daughter. I'm pretty sure of that now.

-And I know that… -You know fuck all!

And I recommend it stay that way.

Because I think you've noticed how much you can pay for all your boy-scouting.

-Are you threatening me? -Probably not enough if you have to ask.

Did you get the video?

-What do you want? -You know well what we want.

-No, I don't. -150 million.

It's somewhere in your house.

-So if I were you I'd start looking for it. -You can't be serious.

-Do you think this is a game, Mrs Vlckova? -Where would I find that much money?

It's absurd.

-I'm talking about euros, not crowns. -Have you gone mad?

Your son looks like he would like to see you again someday.

So make an effort.

And don't try contacting the police,

because if you do, we'll find out, Mrs Vlckova.

And then we won't be calling back.

Do we understand each other?

I don't have what you're looking for.

I don't have that much.

-Go on, do it! Say it! -Mom, do what they want.

-Go on! Say it again! -Mom, do what they want.

You have to go to the police.

And what if they have their people there? They'll kill him when they find out.

Stela.

-Hi. -Hi.

-I thought I'd hear from you sooner. -I couldn't any sooner.

-Why not? -Michal's been kidnapped.

-They want Eva to give them 150 million. -What?! -Euros.

They say she has it, but she doesn't know about anything.

She won't go to the police, they told her they have people there.

Well she's right.

And not just there. The state prosecutor's office too.

You mean Skalova?

Yeah, she was supervising the National Mining case.

And guess what they all have in common, aside from Budapest.

-National Mining. -Exactly.

They all made a fortune off it in the 90s, including your brother.

-Why are they all dying now? -I don't know.

-I need more time. -That's the one thing we don't have.

You go fuck yourself.

Why did you do this to me?

Mr Horvat, do you really believe that with your current reputation

you can see through the biggest privatisation project in the last 20 years?

Yes, I do. Because I’ve done nothing wrong.

And what does Jan Sramek, head of the Anti-Corruption Archive, think?

If Mr Horvat claims he never signed any contract with Mr Spevacek or Mr Toman

then I see no reason to doubt him.

I have already spoken to Mr Horvat in private and apologised to him personally,

as I feel partially responsible.

Responsible for what, exactly?

The contract in question, of course, which leaked from our archive.

So now you're indicating that the document never should have reached the public?

Not at all. We simply try to do our work thoroughly.

We can't release everything we get.

The contract came anonymously. We carefully verify such documents before releasing them.

-So is it possible the document is a fake? -Of course.

Which is why I'm aggravated by the crusade against Mr Horvat, as I've told him myself.

Everyone has the right to the presumption of innocence.

And what about presumption of guilt?

-Mr Doubrava… -In civilised countries,

the decent thing for a politician to do is to honour the presumption of guilt first.

In civilised countries, it is also decent to not hire people suspected of murder,

which the daily Kontext apparently has no problem with.

I should note for our viewers that the reference is to Petr Vlcek,

a reporter from the daily Kontext, and brother of Daniel Vlcek.

What do you propose, Mr Horvat?

Resignation for resignation?

If it makes you feel any better, Petr Vlcek no longer works at our paper.

And we are preparing a major piece on him for tomorrow. And about you as well.

Gentlemen, don't start a fight here, please.

Mr Sramek... briefly, since we're near the end...

Should the privatisation of Central Energy be stopped in your opinion?

We need to keep an eye on it, that’s for sure.

But stopping it?

We have to look at this rationally, without emotion.

And the truth is, the state needs the money.

WHO IS BEHIND THE DEATHS OF THE CZECH EXECUTIVES?

It cannot go out like this.

It’s just speculation.

I've already sent it to press.

Is it at least his idea? Or did you come up with it?

Well I guess you have your first big scoop in your pocket.

Enjoy it.

Max...

Knock first next time.

Yes?

Speaking. You can talk to me in Czech.

-Oh, excellent. -How can I help you?

I have a favour to ask. My nephew visited you recently...

-Michal Vlcek. -That's right.

-He was asking about his father. -That's the thing.

Michal sent me a picture. Daniel and a couple others were on it.

-Did he get it from you? -No. All I gave him was his father's thesis.

-He wanted to read it. -Aha.

Does your university keep a list of all its students?

Oh yes, I think we're required to by law.

I need a list of all the students from Czechoslovakia after 1990.

-You can request one at… -Unfortunately I don't have much time.

Do you think you could send it to me?

Who did you say you are?

-Petr Vlcek? -Yes.

You're Daniel's brother, isn't that right?

Yes, I am.

The list is really very important, it would help me a lot.

-Fine. -Thanks.

Please send it to vlcek at kontext CZ.

Kontext....

Hang on... CZ.

Strange...

You're the second person who's called me about Michal.

-Who was the other one? -Karel Spevacek.

Another of our graduates, I remember him vaguely.

Hello? Are you still there?

Yeah, yeah...

-Thank you, professor. -Goodbye. -Goodbye.

-Yeah? -They weren’t bribes.

-What? -The money your brother got from abroad. It wasn't for bribery.

-Well what was it then? -Not on the phone. -I'll pick you up. -I'm not at home.

Where are you then?

Doesn't matter. Where do you want me to go?

Listen carefully...

Alright.

-Hey. -Where's your car? -Far away, don't worry.

Ok, come on.

Well well!

-Hi. -Hey!

-You having something, Stela? -No, no. Not today

What is all this?

You're going to keep me in suspense.

Just wait.

Come on.

Why didn’t you tell me you have a secret place?

If I told you, then it wouldn't be a secret

-Now that's something. -Pay attention.

Toman and Spevacek sent the money from National Mining abroad.

The others acted as intermediaries for them.

Then they brought the money back to the Czech Republic

to an anonymous joint-stock company. Szia Finance.

Then that company took control of National Mining.

And they set up their own business for the tunnel.

They want to do it again, like Pleva said. But on a much larger scale.

-Central Energy. -Your brother played the same role Spevacek and Toman did.

Buying branches abroad, risky investments like he made in his last years...

He was just siphoning money out of a state business.

-Can we prove it? -We can.

It will take time, but it all makes sense.

You run money out of a company through dodgy transactions and weaken it.

So you can buy it back for a fraction of the price. Of course.

They tried it out on National Mining and now they want to do it again.

It wasn't bribe money Daniel received, it was his own capital.

It was money from those foreign branches that went back into his pocket.

Toman, Pleva, Spevacek, they were all doing the same thing.

They gather a huge amount of property in some anonymous company

and then use it to buy Central Energy.

-I don't know... -What don't you know?

Do you know what it would all mean?

That they're in league with everyone, even the branches Daniel bought.

-But maybe they own them directly. -They would also have to have

Puissance or Energy Star wrapped around their finger… That's just insane.

Central Energy is a European colossus, it's accountable to the state,

it has a supervisory committee, lots of checks and balances. I dunno…

We’re not in the 90s anymore. This just strikes me a bit like science fiction.

And I'm telling you it's reality.

-Yeah, I have a good sleeping bag here. -Will we both fit?

There was this one guy...

We got the most information out of him, though he kept a lot of things to himself.

-He was waiting for guarantees from us. -Cyril Kopriva.

-How did you know? -I came across him in the investigation.

He was a small fish, compared to the others.

They all made a fortune off of National Mining.

Everyone except him. So he went into the football business.

Funny thing is, it was football that led us right to him.

He was bribing referees and fixing matches.

He wanted to make a deal?

Exactly. But there wasn’t time for one.

-He disappeared. -I read about it.

His body was never found.

No, it wasn't.

Just the body of his little girl, who they let burn to death in his cottage.

And what does Daniel Vlcek have to do with it?

I'm certain it was him who killed Kopriva.

I never found any evidence against him. How could I, without a corpse?

But he killed him. I'm sure about that.

He had the most to lose at the time.

-What about Spevacek? -Spevacek?

He might have tickled him to death.

-Your husband made you the account co-owner. -And what are the keys for?

for a safety-deposit box in the back where I'll take you now.

I'll just need the password.

The password?

Try "Abraham".

Excellent.

Please come with me, Mrs Vlckova.

-Mr Vlcek, if you could wait next door, please. -Certainly.

So this is your #3.

Thank you.

It poses as a normal company.

So? Do they have any value? Or are they worthless?

They're apparently worth something to somebody.

I tried checking A-P Invest out, but I didn't find much.

Here's a printout of their public record, at least.

What? Do you see something?

Stela?

-A-P Invest is a company that your brother owned with several others. -What others?

Toman, Spevacek, Pleva, and others we don't know about yet.

A.P...

Abraham Pact.

-So these shares have some real value? -Several billion crowns.

-I gotta go. -Hang on, I got a mail from Budapest.

He sent the list of students.

Forward it to me, I’ll call when I find something.

I'll stay here. They're going to call about Michal.

OK then. Bye.

-I have what you want. -That's good.

That's very good, Mrs Vlckova.

Michal...

Talking about Michal at this point is premature.

Please don't hurt him.

Do what we tell you and tomorrow you'll be holding him in your arms.

Have you understood everything?

Yes.

I'll send you a text with the coordinates.

I want to hear--

-Yes. -Hi.

I'm going to check something. Can we meet in two hours at my place?

You've found something?

Maybe. I don't want to discuss it on the phone.

-Have they called? -Yeah.

-Handover tomorrow. -Where?

I don't know yet. They're sending coordinates.

OK. I have to go. We'll talk about it.

-Sure. -Bye.

Stela.

-Good evening. -Good evening, come in.

She knows about you.

What are you up to?

I'll call you later.

Are you trying to buy him? Like you bought Daniel?

-Can I can help you? -Do you think you can buy anything?

-Almost anything. Who are you? -Vlcek. The father of Daniel and Petr.

Nice to meet you, Mr Vlcek. I’ve heard a lot about you.

I want you to leave Eva alone. She's had enough.

-She doesn't need to be bothered by people like you. -People like us?

People like your son, you mean? The son you despised so much?

Stay away from my family.

-Or? -People like you...

have closets full of skeletons. Poke around long enough...

and something always falls out.

Do you know what I think, Mr Vlcek? I think you are afraid

that Daniel took after you more than you'd like to admit.

You certainly have a similar way of doing things.

Will you come back afterwards? I'll be up.

I don't want to be here alone tonight.

-OK. -Thanks.

See you.

No...

Halt!

In the name of the law!

Police! Halt!

Halt!

Halt!

Police, halt!

No...

-You motherfucker! -No!

Take him down!

Fuck!

Hey, let's get out of the water, you've got pruney fingers.

translation and subtitles Christian Falvey