I opened my eyes wide.
I saw what was in front of me.
And I knew that night was going to be the most important night of my life.
Michael Jackson.
Everyone remembers when he died.
Whatever you might say about him or his music, people remember that day.
Some people were home watching TV...
SAPPER KLARSFELD SERGEANT DUCOURT
...others were out, some were at school or work.
There were stories about driving tests, weddings.
People who lost loved ones that day, births, everything.
There's even a woman who wrote about how that day was the only time
that she had simultaneous *** with her boyfriend.
So, in answer to your question,
I ask people to write in the notebook
about their experience of Michael Jackson's death.
- Hey. - Hi.
How old were you then when he passed away?
Don't know.
- What date was it again? - 25th of June, 2009.
Right, so I was, I'd just turned 13.
Honestly, I really don't remember what I was doing.
Really? You really don't?
No, I don't.
Yes, I was at my parents' house, bored stupid.
- And you? What were you doing? - Me? I was with my daughter.
She cried all night. She was 11, not much younger than you were.
Yeah. And since then, on good days,
and on bad days, that notebook is with me.
Between you and me, Michael Jackson I don't care about.
It's how his death froze a moment of people's lives.
Insignificant things, you know what I mean?
Like, "I was baking." "I was in my bed." They remember it.
But I'm telling you,
it's not about remembering his death.
They're remembering their life at that moment in time.
Some might say this was all collective,
but no.
It's a personal thing. How many falafels?
- Just two, please. - Two it is.
You look tired.
Yeah, I'm not getting enough sleep.
Right. Join the club.
Your wife?
Yeah, I'm sleeping at the hospital.
I'm very sorry.
What they say to you?
What do they say?
They say don't get my hopes up.
2 MONTHS BEFORE THE NIGHT OF NOTRE-DAME
FIRE DEPARTMENT
A gas explosion blew up the street.
Alice?
It's okay to be scared, okay?
Hey. There's always a first time,
when you have to do it for real.
And that time is now.
Alice, look at me.
You, me, and Denis, okay?
Okay.
- You all right? - Yes.
You sure?
Sure?
Okay.
Alice, keep up with us.
Ben!
Ben, the BA isn't working!
Ben!
I didn't check my pressure pump properly.
Here you are.
Take this one.
It's all right, it's okay.
Ben?
Ben!
I'm here.
I'm scared.
Don't worry.
I'm here.
- Where are you? - Just right here.
Ben... Ben?
Don't leave me. Stay with me, stay with me.
Stay with me.
Ben!
Last time we spoke, you said you couldn't get over the deaths
of Sergeant Ducourt and Sapper Klarsfeld.
That's right.
I had the least experience.
It would've been fairer if it was me that didn't make it.
I hear you're requesting to go back in the field.
Yes, that's right.
Alice, it was two months ago.
- And it was your first fire after all... - Yes. I know.
I'm ready, Colonel.
I wanna go back.
Can you face another fire?
What I'm asking
is are you ready and able to deal with any situation
without putting yourself or the team in danger?
Yes, I am ready.
- Sergeant Taupin doesn't agree. - Taupin has never believed in me.
And he is wrong.
I'm ready, Colonel.
So, you like anything else?
I think I'm all right. It was really nice.
Hi, Max.
- Sorry, gentlemen, don't have time. - Don't worry. Won't take long.
Five minutes, and we're done.
I'll give you two.
My brother needs his dough.
I know what your brother wants.
I explained that we've only just reopened. I'll pay him when I can.
Right. And when's that gonna be?
In a month.
Hey... Give it a rest, yeah?
A month? My brother will say that's too late.
Yeah?
Of course. I'll be there soon, yeah.
I'm sorry, gentlemen, but I have to leave now.
I'm not going anywhere till the money's in my pocket.
When I say now, I mean now.
Tell your brother to stop busting my *.
I decide when I pay, got that? So go on, get out of here.
Go on, the pair of you. Get out of here.
One day, maybe more, but not long.
I'm very sorry.
There you are.
Here I am.
What's the time?
6:25.
Everything okay?
Yeah. Yeah, everything's all right.
I don't feel ready.
But she's ready.
We've chatted a lot...
and I know she's ready.
You need to talk to your daughter.
She tells me about her.
Victoire, it's me, Dad.
I've left about 163 messages.
I imagine you don't listen to them, or you've changed your phone
and that these messages are all in vain.
I don't know where you are, what to do...
Your mother's dying, Victoire.
She misses you. She needs you.
I'm begging.
I beg you, call me back.
I love you, sweetheart.
"Six days before the Passover,
Jesus came to Bethany, home of Lazarus,
whom He had raised from the dead."
"Here, a dinner was given in His honour."
This has to be the third time.
This way, need to evacuate.
- Another false alarm? - Yeah.
Your blood pressure's good. You okay?
No need to worry, okay?
Your mom fainted because of the gas. It's fine.
She's feeling better now. Are you all right?
Sure?
Look.
This is for you.
They're for brave boys and girls, like you.
You like chocolate?
Yeah?
Red or black?
Haven't you worn the black one enough recently?
When we first got together, 29 years ago...
I wore a tie. Yeah, I know.
For once, could we celebrate without wearing this thing?
No.
Zacharie, we need to...
We need to start going out more
and see people again.
I'm handing in my resignation.
Tomorrow morning.
This is not just because of Ben.
He's not the only one who's gone.
And I just can't look at the unit anymore, Catherine...
without wondering when it'll happen again.
And why didn't you tell me this before?
Because it's my decision.
What are you worried about?
The brigade was our son's whole life.
It's your whole life.
I'm just worried you're making a mistake.
Ducourt speaking.
Is Varèse on site?
I'm coming.
Notre-Dame is burning.
- First time giving a medal? - Yeah.
I've done 40 in five years.
Let me know when you hit ten kilos of chocolate, like me.
Alice, come, there's a fire.
It's ours, let's go!
- Where? - Notre-Dame.
Notre-Dame, the cathedral?
Yes, the cathedral.
You know what I think about your return.
You're not ready. I know it.
Whatever happens, stay close.
Ben?
Don't leave me.
Stay with me!
Ben, please, stay with me!
- I love you. - Please!
I love you.
Ben! Ben!
Ben!
Stay with me! Please!
Is this your first fire?
Yeah. And you?
Second time.
What's the general like with newbies?
Great.
General, we'll be there in 12 minutes, but it's crazy out here, so no guarantees.
Yep, I understand.
I brought the uniform that was in your office.
- That's fine. - Changing in the car's not easy, is it?
No, could be worse.
And, I've got the Notre-Dame safety plans.
Perfect.
CITY HALL
Yes, Madam Mayor?
I'm heading there now.
I guess so.
No, not yet.
So it's blowing over the towers and could spread fast.
To reach the frame, walk along the ledges
to the entry points here and here.
- Shall we take a hose? - I wouldn't trust that.
Let's deploy a team to the south transept.
Twenty-one.
And we need men up there with hoses.
That's where we can view the roof clearly.
If the fire started in the frame, it'll be hell before long.
- We need to attack all sides. - BAs, guys.
Yes, Chief.
Taupin?
Colonel.
Keep Adamski around you.
You know my opinion.
I'm aware.
After what she's been through, this is important for her.
I trust her.
Understood.
FIRE SERVICE COMMAND POST PC3
Casemari, how long do you think till you're operational?
- About 15, Colonel. - Perfect.
Stop!
Everyone's gonna be there.
The prefect,
the Minister of the Interior, Prime Minister, the President.
It'll be mayhem. Never mind the media.
POLICE COMMISSIONER OF PARIS PARIS POLICE HEADQUARTERS
There's someone here!
Adamski?
Can you hear me?
All right, let her breathe.
General, he's here.
Ben?
Come back.
Come back, my boy.
Come on. Ben?
Come back!
No!
My son.
Notre-Dame, that's...
- I mean, can't believe it. - Yes.
Unbelievable.
But I prefer that to a block of flats with families inside.
Apparently, it started near the spire at the top.
- There was an alarm, but we thought... - Anyone still inside?
There shouldn't be anyone.
Adamski!
I get that you want to prove that you're okay to be up there.
But no unnecessary risks.
Understood?
Yes, Colonel.
Right.
Those the stairs to the south side structure?
- Yes, it's that way. That door. - Got it.
We'll take care of it, sir. You evacuate.
...a few moments ago...
FIRE IN PROGRESS AT NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL
We'll update you as soon as we have more details.
What's happening?
A fire.
Notre-Dame is on fire, it's burning.
The cathedral?
That's so awful.
It's terrible.
Remember when we arrived in Paris with my mother,
the first place we went was Notre-Dame.
Yes, I know.
Really? I've told you that?
We've told each other everything, Max.
We know each other by heart.
No.
I'm sure there's more to tell.
Well, it's now or never.
Ask me anything at all.
I had a dream.
I dreamt about Victoire.
We were together, the three of us
in the countryside.
All happy.
Yes.
We were happy, yes.
That's what I want, Max.
The three of us together.
Max.
Pam?
Hello? Pam!
Pam?
How far to go?
We should reach the upper corridor soon, I reckon.
Are you supposed to be up here, sir?
I was caught by surprise.
I'm working on the roof.
- Anyone else still there? - No, I'm the last.
- Okay. You need to evacuate. - Okay.
- Off you go. - Thanks.
This is Taupin at the north side. South side, do you read me?
- It's Mercier. I read you. - Okay, do you see the source of the fire?
Negative. The whole roof's hot here.
But we can see flames at the base of the spire.
- Can you get to them? - Negative. We're too far away.
We can try to cool off the roof right now.
Yeah, I'm fine.
- Tek? - Yeah?
We're on. Tell the colonel we're operational.
- Okay. I'll go right away. - Thanks.
Colonel, command is operational.
- One more thing. - Perfect.
The strange thing, see, the 12 statues of the apostles
from around the spire are meant to protect Notre-Dame.
They were removed four days ago for renovation.
Father, are you telling me that they've never been removed?
Never, never.
Unbelievable.
- I'll walk the rest of the way. - Sorry, General.
We need the portable ladders from the third battalion right now. Yes.
And we need the fireboats in place within the hour. Yeah.
Give him some room! Let him through!
Yeah, move it up a bit.
Sergeant Taupin, come in for Colonel Varèse.
- Yes, Colonel. - I read you.
We're on position, but it's hard to see where the fire's coming from
and how big it is.
Come on, we need to get deeper or higher.
We need to reach the source, so find a better way up there.
Does this come from the general?
Because it would be really risky to move higher up.
We absolutely need to understand what's happening in the rafters.
I don't think the general wants us...
Until the general's on site, I make the decisions.
If we have any chance of getting ahead of the fire, it's now.
Do you copy?
Risk accepted and agreed to, Colonel.
Alice?
As everyone seems to want to know what you can do, you come with me.
Reconnaissance mission of the frame. You stay right behind me.
- You with me? - Got it.
Will you save it? Will you save it?
Good luck, good luck!
Too much water on the roof, and we'll weaken the area here and here.
We need to be able to get through without getting stuck.
Let's clear this path in order to reach the south
and position in a cell as they arrive.
We need to cool down the cathedral at the north and south,
protect the nave and the belfry.
And then, above all, protect the spire from collapse.
We have no way to control its fall.
The debris, if it does come down,
it could land on the crowd, on the hospital,
on a building, on us, anywhere.
A team has gone to the frame on a reconnaissance mission
to find a route to the source of the fire.
What do you mean a team? Explain.
Two officers, via the south transept.
Who exactly?
Sergeant Taupin and this new recruit, Adamski.
- You know her. She... - I know Adamski, sure I do.
It's a massive risk, though.
They agreed to take it.
And, General, to keep that spire from falling,
we need to attack the source.
Colonel, any building can be rebuilt.
Not a person.
Yeah. I do appreciate that.
But if we have a chance to save Notre-Dame,
we might have to accept the possibility of high risks.
Hello, Carmen.
- Is it really you? - Yeah.
So, after all these years, what is it?
Just coming around to say hello,
or is it pure self-interest?
Self-interest.
So, what's her name?
Victoire.
HELLO I AM LOOKING FOR A GIRL NAMED VICTOIRE
- Why do you want to find her? - My daughter.
Right. Chip off the old block.
Well, except when I was hanging around the neighbourhood, I was a boxer, not a...
- *.
Right you are. Always a new word for the world's oldest profession.
- You're gonna lecture me on semantics? - I'm not, but there isn't any shame in it.
You had nothing against women like me back then, did you?
Carmen, I'm not here to discuss you or my daughter's choice of career.
I just want to...
I just need to get in touch with her. Will you help me do that or not?
- She's an escort, then? - Yes.
And how long for?
At least two years.
We should be able to find her.
And what's her stage name?
Stage name? She's not an actress or a dancer.
She's an escort.
But she goes by Victoire or a nickname?
Her name's Victoire. Bloody stage name, it's Victoire!
Sure. Let's see.
Right.
So...
You found something?
Wait, this might be something.
I have something to tell my coach, okay? The man's a prick, and know what else?
You don't wanna pick me? No problem.
- That's her. - Play, don't play, I still get paid.
- She's pretty. - And this is where we have a good time.
Like, seriously...
See? It was fast.
There are loads of other links. Look.
This is his whole team, and Mina's coming with us.
Come with us, Mina.
My gosh.
I'm with the ladies.
Quarter of a million shares since last night.
- This is where... - There.
Hello, Raina?
Okay, I get it.
Yeah, sorry, sorry. Just busy.
But, um, how are you fixed tonight?
I've got a cool guy I'm gonna meet in Paris, so...
Paris Center, if it's, well, not too much?
Yeah? Amazing.
Yeah, 'cause I'm catching a flight tomorrow. You know about that?
It's kind of cool, you know? But things are tight.
Cool.
I'll write that down, but lovely talking. See you later. Bye.
Pass!
Hit it.
Pass it, yes!
Got it!
- Ridiculous. - Not that ridiculous.
It is! It's takin' a piss.
Be quiet, I can't hear!
- ...Notre-Dame? - Notre-Dame is on fire!
Do you know whether the fire was started as an act of terror or crime?
- No, not this time. - General Ducourt, please,
General, could you describe the strategy you've put in place?
If you understand the fire, you understand what you're fighting.
So what we wanna do is try to find the source of the main fire.
Try to reach it.
At the moment, we're still waiting for additional back-up.
But at the same time,
we have crew up there on the ledges and even higher up
who are going to try to reach the flames.
Does that mean lives are in danger?
You know, our job involves danger.
But after the events two months back...
We lost two, do you remember?
...I will personally make sure that doesn't happen.
- General, do you have... - Thank you.
- So, then? - I know the guy. He's a customer. James.
I've seen the girl here a few times. But don't know her, though.
- You don't? - No.
- And is James a good customer? - Yeah, he often comes in with his group.
Do you know where he is?
With all the crap he said about his club, he's not on the pitch, is he?
No, I reckon he's hiding at home.
- Have any clue... - Everyone knows where he lives. Everyone.
- Come, I'll show you. - Thank you.
Hi, Max.
We need a visual of the source.
Stay close.
BASED ON THE BOOK "LA NUIT DE NOTRE-DAME"
WRITTEN BY THE PARIS FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ROMAIN GUBERT