Humanité 2000

In the picturesque northern French town of Bailleul, tragedy strikes when an 11-year-old girl is brutally assaulted and murdered on her way back to her isolated farm from school. This senseless act of violence prompts Lieutenant Pharaon de Winter (character) to re-enter the world of policing, his own personal demons momentarily set aside as he grapples with the horrors of the crime scene. Having recently lost his partner and child in a devastating accident, Pharaon now resides quietly with his widowed mother, still coping with the emotional aftermath.

Weekends bring him some respite, however, as he joins neighbor Domino (character) and her lover Joseph (character), a bus driver, for a seaside outing and dinner at a local restaurant. But Pharaon’s reserved nature is put to the test as he struggles to connect with Joseph’s coarse demeanor, which only serves to further highlight his own emotional isolation.

As the police investigation plods along, Pharaon becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the murder. He ponders potential suspects, including a bus driver and a psychiatric patient, and even travels to London to interview passengers on the Eurostar trains that pass through the area. Despite these efforts, however, the case remains stuck in neutral, prompting the Lille police to take over the investigation.

The factory where Domino works erupts into chaos as workers go on strike, leading Pharaon to lead a team of officers in quelling the demonstration. Though outwardly stern, Pharaon’s quiet determination earns the respect and admiration of Domino, who later makes a provocative move towards him. However, he rebuffs her advances, citing “not like that,” and his mother warns her off.

The Lille police eventually make an arrest, taking Joseph into custody. When Pharaon arrives at the station to question him, he finds his neighbor beaten and crying. Initially perplexed by Joseph’s confession, Pharaon is soon moved by his tears and comfortingly caresses him with his nose before kissing him on the mouth. Returning home to find his mother out and Domino weeping in the kitchen, Pharaon takes the opportunity to comfort her as well.

The film concludes with Pharaon sitting pensively in his office at the police station, his wrists shackled by handcuffs as he gazes out the window, lost in thought.