In 1988, after much cunning political maneuvering, Loïk Le Floch-Prigent and Alfred Sirven become the chief executives at Elf. They discover a company that runs on kickbacks: in exchange for the oil rights, Elf makes handsome but discreet payoffs to the leaders of African nations. With the tacit complicity of President Mitterrand, and with eventual political and personal interests in mind, the new management takes charge of the slush fund. Within months, Sirven, Le Floch-Prigent and his wife Fatima Belaïd fill their pockets with more than they could ever have imagined.
In 1993, Philippe Jaffré, recently appointed by Balladur to head Elf, files a court action against Le Floch-Prigent to disassociate himself from the abuses that took place under his predecessor's chairmanship. At the same time, judge Eva Joly is appointed to instruct a criminal investigation into Elf for misuse of corporate funds, breach of trust and complicity. It is the beginning of a long, arduous investigation, marked by intimidations and pressure in high places, which ten years later climaxes in the biggest politico-financial corruption scandal ever seen in France.

Aspects of French Production
France
Director : Lucas Belvaux
Script : Anne-Louise Trividic, Jacques Maillot
Camera : François Catonné
Sound : Olivier Schwob, Bernadette Thiboud, Laurent Dreyer
Sets : Frédérique Belvaux
Editing : Danielle Anezin, Ludo Troch
Music : Riccardo Del Fra
Cast : Nicole Garcia, Aladin Reibel, Claude Brasseur, Philippe Nahon, Nadia Kibout, Michel Voïta, Vincent Nemeth, Pascal Nzonzi

Production : Scarlett Production (Paris, France)
Co-Production : Fontana Film

with the participation of : Canal +, Planète, Ciné Cinéma, RTL TVI, BeTV

Sales : Carrere Group,
50, avenue du Président Wilson, Bâtiment 204,
93214 La Plaine Saint-Denis, France
Tel: +33 (0)1 4937 7800
Fax: +33 (0)1 4937 7775
E-mail: info@carrere.net

Format: Super 16. Colour
Running time: 2 x 1 h 50 mn
Year of production: 2007


FESTIVALS / SCREENINGS / TELEVISIONS
2008 | FIPA | BIARRITZ, France
* Aspects of French Production

Canal Plus
* Broadcast