- Release year: 2025
- Director: Dominik Moll.
- Producers: Caroline Benjo, Barbara Letellier, and Carole Scotta.
- Screenplay by: Gilles Marchand and Dominik Moll.
- Cinematography by: Patrick Ghiringhelli.
- Music by: Olivier Marguerit.
Synopsis: an internal affairs officer investigates the injuries of a protester in Paris, which seem to have been caused by abusive policemen.
Shotgun Commentary: enraging in all the right ways.
Review
Case 137 is a crime film that follows the investigation of an altercation during the Paris 2018 Yellow vest protests. “Altercation” meaning “getting assaulted by the police for no reason whatsoever”, in this case. This work will make your blood boil and your jaw cramp from how hard you’re clenching it. One of those pieces that need to be made and repeated for as long as this injustice continues to happen.
Context
Based on a real-life story, the feature follows Stéphanie Bertrand (Léa Drucker). She is an internal-affairs officer who is put in charge of investigating the “dossier 137”. When a worried woman comes into her office to register a complaint, Stéphanie doesn’t think much about the issue itself. Just another day in the internal affairs department.
However, her diligent work uncovers a great injustice. One that not only speaks volumes of the beasts that are armed and sent out to deal with protesters aggressively, but also of the systemic corruption found in police forces all over the world. Not to mention how this deplorable situation affects the very same citizens that they are supposed to be protecting.
Police vs people?
The young protester who gets attacked by the policemen in the film is but another example that joined the countless voices of victims whose lives get destroyed by a flawed system on a daily basis. From prejudiced judges, to hateful hooligans in police uniform.
All around the world, there has been a cry for justice and real protection. Regrettably, that plea is far from coming true. The world saw it during these protests in 2018, in all the events that led to 2020s BLM movement, and it is seeing it again now in the form of ICE in the US.
Whether it is race, socio-economic class, or merely the result of a bad day, millions of citizens have stories of abuse of power. Sadly, a big percentage of those, at the hands of the police. Songs such as “Nique La Police” or “Polizzia”, or the well-known ACAB, represent the discontent and lack of faith that regular citizens have in the force that is supposed to ensure their protection.
Consequences
Case 137 delves into this issue straight on. Not only exposing the type of people that commit these atrocities while hiding behind their badges, but also the other side of the force: the officers that truly believe in the importance and responsibility of their job.
One of the main discussions that takes place in the film is the influence of the Internal Affairs Department in the force’s reputation. While most cops argue that Stéphanie’s work is dragging their name through the mud, it is precisely that attitude that makes the force lose credibility.
Reality check
Nobody believes in an infallible force any more, and there have been enough cases to support this scepticism. As such, having a department that holds infractors accountable is paramount to restore the credibility of the force… If such department was allowed to act independently, of course.
Interests collide and values are put into question in this feature that highlights the consequences of negligence and corruption on top of presenting it. While the focus is on the work that Stéphanie and her team do to get to the truth, there is a significant emphasis on the victim himself and his family. A constant reminder that this is not just a thriller, but an actual case that happened to real people. People who have to leave with the consequences of this horrific act.
All in all, Case 137 is a wonderfully executed film. One that denounces injustice while keeping the victims in mind at all times. Rather than exploit the gore and drama of the situation, it maintains its focus solely on facts. The cast does a wonderful job sharing this narrative with the audience, controlling even the slightest micro-expressions to speak volumes on every conversation. An account that is truly well worth the trip to the cinema.
Case 137 was part of the EIFF 2025 programme. Find all the info here!
Case 137 is now screening at Leiden International Film Festival in the Netherlands! Screenings on October the 12th, 16th, 17th and 18th. Find all the info here!
Advice to take from this movie:
- Supermarkets should play epic music more often, it really does improve the experience of shopping.
- Sometimes you can do all you can to help and still be the bad guy of the movie.
- Bureaucracy is fun when seen on a fast-paced sequence in a movie. In real life… not so much.
What’s your take? Have you watched Case 137? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀