Original subtitles

EARLIER IN THE DAY

In a regional branch of Fides Bank

a hostage situation has been underway since 8 a.m.

This is your fault.

- Not many people know what's in that safe. - I thought it had been empty for years.

What do you think, Vos? Ibrahim wants to offer 75,000.

No, no. We're not giving them any money.

You need to see this. They are broadcasting everything.

You are not allowed to show the bank.

If you do, I will have your equipment seized. Is that clear enough?

- Karen, I need you. - Michael needs you now, not me.

The slower we work, the more time it will buy us.

Come on, pal, turn it off.

- I want to disconnect them. - Disconnect them?

Three, two, one.

Fucking hell.

Can you hear that? That's my gun against the girl's head.

I'll kill her, pal. I mean it. You've got 60 seconds to turn the water back on.

- Vos says she thinks those guys... - I know. But she's not with it today.

You were obliged to report that your father is very ill in hospital.

I'm taking you off the case. Go and see your father.

I think I know why we have to do all that work here. Those men aren't here at all.

- We need to talk. - Yes, I think we do.

- Thibault to Ivo. - I'm listening.

We're through the wall. We can provide images from inside the bank. Over.

OK, that's fine. Now at least we can see something.

Sierra 3, can you keep the image stable?

Marc, can you put someone here permanently?

If anything happens, even a light going on, I want to know.

OK. Fred, you heard that.

Now what? Drill somewhere else? Top floor?

I want to know what's there before we risk that. Andrea hasn't been there for years

but she says the plan is no longer correct.

There must be someone else who can tell us.

Yes, that Inge. But we still don't know where she is.

Roeland, you're taking my place.

- What about you? - I've been taken off the case.

Vos...

That wasn't my intention.

Come on, answer.

- Hello? - OK, Bram, listen.

When the helicopter lands later, I want to count the money first.

I'll let the people go after that.

Except for the manager. If I see that we're being followed

or something is wrong with the money or the helicopter, I'll shoot him.

- D'you hear me? - OK, sir. I heard your question.

But the problem is that...

we can hardly give you that money and let you leave...

Honestly, pal. Are you going to carry on being difficult or what?

Look, I still want to find a solution and I think you do too but...

the thing is...

HELICOPTER CANNOT LAND

- Permission to land hasn't been confirmed. - That's it, pal! No more excuses.

I expect a helicopter here with a million euros in it. OK? Full stop.

- OK, sir. But if you could release Noor... - Hey, are your ears working?

The money and a helicopter first. Then I will let people go.

And don't bother offering me 75,000 euros or whatever.

I want a million. And not a cent less.

We're going to have to handle it better next time.

Yes.

THE DAY

SIS

- Hi. - Hi, Ellen, am I disturbing you?

No, no, hold on. I'll just go outside. He's asleep.

OK.

- Right, go ahead. - Yeah, sorry.

Everything has changed again. I'm on my way to the hospital.

I think I can come and take over from you after all.

Oh, good.

Oh, I'm so pleased. I haven't followed the news. Did it end OK?

No... It's not over yet. I'll explain when I see you.

How's Dad?

Ellen?

Not good.

In what way?

He's going downhill fast, faster than expected.

- Are you still there? - Yeah, yeah. Can I see him?

I've stopped for a moment.

- OK. I'll skype you. - OK.

Hi, Ellen.

- Hi. Can you see me? - Hold on, not yet.

- I can now. - Try not to be alarmed.

He looks worse than yesterday.

Hold on, I'll just go outside for a moment.

Did the doctor say anything more?

That he's not going to improve. But we already knew that.

They think it's only a matter of a couple of days.

Are you OK?

OK. OK, guys. The situation now.

How is the hostage taker doing? Roeland?

Some already know but there has been a slight change in the negotiating team.

Roeland is replacing Vos. Roeland?

The hostage taker is extremely nervous. Quick to get angry.

The chance of him losing his patience is quite high.

In any case, the only good result is a negotiated surrender, without violence.

But, in case things threaten to get out of hand,

we have to prepare to storm the place.

- As a final option. - And? Is there any news?

We're constantly promised we'll be kept informed but we aren't,

so I thought I'd come and ask.

- Excuse me, Mr. Van Landschoot. - Or do I need to buy tomorrow's paper?

Sir, madam, you really shouldn't just...

- Tell us something, please. - Then I wouldn't have to.

- I'll tell you what I can. - Yeah...

Can't we put people with the relatives?

We have but they need to go to the toilet or they go outside for a smoke...

That's as may be but they can't come here.

They can go home, if they'll feel better there. As long as we can reach them.

- I'll go and tell them. - OK, to continue.

Sometimes it's in everyone's interests not to tell you things. I understand...

- No, you don't. You can't. - Is your daughter in there?

I repeat, do those men in there know there is a ransom ready for them, yes or no?

- Our people know. - I didn't ask that.

I asked if the men in there know.

- I can't tell you anything about that. - You can't tell me anything about that.

At least tell me if it's true they've asked for a helicopter.

- Who told you that? - Is it true or not?

I'd like to know who told you that.

I can't tell you anything about that.

FILL UP AND WIN 10,000, 25,000, 75,000 EUROS...

Mr. Van Landschoot, a quick reaction, please.

I'll quickly tell you what I think of the police.

We realize they can't tell us all the details

- but we are not being told anything, - No, we know nothing.

Are you angry about communication between the police and relatives?

There isn't any. There's no communication, let alone us having any input.

We are prepared to pay a ransom to ensure our daughter and the others are released.

But they refuse to even listen to us. Sorry, but I think that's disgraceful.

- There's no other word for it. - Absolutely.

Thank you, thank you.

Those guys are quick.

As you heard,

dissatisfaction at the police handling of the situation is considerable.

They weren't the only ones who wanted to tell their story We heard the same thing

from various other relatives of the hostages in the bank.

OK. Thank you, Kristien. The reaction was...

- That's not good publicity for the police. - The least of my worries.

What will those men in the bank think if they see that?

We try to drag it out by saying we can't get the money,

then someone says he wants to pay it and we won't let him.

I'll ask for it to be removed from the site.

But if we don't tell them anything they'll continue to poke around.

On the news sites they refer to terrorists and on Twitter they're Chechens.

I think we need to hold a media briefing.

That's a good idea. I get asked lots of questions too.

It's not a good idea. The media say what they like anyway, it's best we keep quiet.

They do. I'm inclined to be stricter too.

That guy knew those men had asked for a helicopter.

I don't know which idiot leaked that...

Excuse me, but we need to distinguish between what we tell the media

and what we tell the relatives. Don't we?

Come on, get a move on.

Yeah, yeah.

Come on, Ivo, answer.

Ivo De Rouck.

Ivo, when you hear this, call me back.

Get Ibrahim and Roeland out of the bus. I think we've got a mole.

- You don't mind, do you? - No.

I'm so used to sitting here so if it's all the same to you...

- Yeah, it's fine. - OK...

What are we going to do from now on?

I don't know.

Tell me what you think.

Maybe we should adopt a firmer approach.

Yes, that's not a bad idea.

But make sure you control the conversation and he doesn't take over.

Yes, OK.

Ivo to Roeland. Can you come here a moment?

Yes, Ivo. Fine, I'm on my way. Yeah, yeah.

- Let me know if he calls or anything. - Sure, fine.

Six teams of two men.

Lima 1,2 and 3, ground floor. Lima 4, 5 and 6, first floor.

You can open any locked ordinary inside doors with the pass key. Is that clear?

OK, you can go.

- Ivo. - Roeland, oh yeah.

We wanted to know what you thought. We're going to burn off the back door.

- Burn it off? - Yes.

Why? Why would you do that?

So we can enter unnoticed if necessary rather than blow open a door or window.

We don't have that option now.

- It's very risky. - We know.

What if they hear or smell something inside?

No movement has been seen in the hallway. So I don't think they'll notice.

- What if they do? - Think of something.

Arrange something with Ibrahim.

OK.

Sierra 1 to perimeter. We're there. Can the screens be opened?

Copy, Sierra 1.

Thibault to Ivo, the metal the door's made of is very thick. This may take a while.

OK, Thibault. Do your best.

- Just to be sure, shouldn't we... - Ivo, can I speak to you a moment?

- Vos, what are you doing here? - It's urgent, it really is.

Sorry.

- Didn't you hear my message? - I sent you home, Vos.

That... That amount, the 75,000. He heard that amount from Ibrahim.

Calm down a moment. What are you saying?

Just now, just before I left, I followed a conversation with the hostage taker.

He told Ibrahim he wanted a million

and we shouldn't offer 75,000 euros.

- Yes, and? - We never...

We never said anything to him on the phone about 75,000 euros.

That was the amount Ibrahim suggested giving those men to release Noor.

Half of the 150,000 the bank wanted to give.

So I don't know where he got that amount from.

It can't be a coincidence, he just said any amount?

Then you'd say a round number, eh? Don't offer me 50,000 or 100,000.

75,000 is so specific.

And you're sure that amount wasn't mentioned on the phone?

Ivo, only three people discussed that amount.

Roeland, Ibrahim and me.

Where were you?

Having a smoke.

- Didn't call yet? - No. What did Ivo say?

- They're going to burn off the back door. - What?

- In case they have to storm the place. - They're not planning to do that?

Only if it's necessary.

Burning it off will take a while

so next time he calls we have to make sure we delay things.

We also have to think about what we're going to say if he...

- Bram speaking. - Why did you lie to me?

- What do you mean? - You tell me you can't get the money

and I hear Freya's father on TV saying you won't let him give it to us.

- I said the time frame is difficult but... - I don't care if it's difficult.

That money will be here at the agreed time

And if you even think of storming the bank,

if one more cop gets near that garage,

I'll blow the whole place up. Do you understand?

OK, but...

- Roeland, can you come with me? - What's the matter?

- Are you carrying a gun? - No.

- Phone? - Yes, but...

Give it to me.

Come on.

- What's going on? - I'll explain inside.

And this is the end.

You've watched everything from the past 72 hours? Written everything down?

- Everyone who goes in and out. - All written down.

- Didn't see anything unusual? - No.

- They didn't case the place. - At least not in the past 72 hours.

Unless we missed something.

OK, I'll go through it again.

You're sure that's the only one? You've checked?

It is according to the Privacy Commission's database.

There's only one camera on the whole square.

People feel too safe in this town, apparently.

Don't think that'll be a problem after today.

The money and a helicopter first. Then I will let people go.

And don't bother offering me 75,000 euros or whatever.

I want a million. And not a cent less.

He talks about 75,000 euros.

Vos says that amount was never mentioned on the phone, just among you three.

OK. Can't the amount have leaked out via the bank or via the media?

No amounts have appeared in the media.

And the bank suggested 150,000. The 75,000 came from Ibrahim.

You don't think Ibrahim is linked to those men?

It has to be one of the three of us, Roeland.

Vos says you tried rather insistently this morning

to be allowed to negotiate again.

Ivo, look me in the eye and tell me you believe what you are insinuating.

Answer it. It may be those men.

Seeing as we are busy accusing each other.

There is a hostage situation going on

and it's my first time at the microphone. Do I have to do it on my own?

Ibrahim, can you come with us?

Roeland will take over.

- Hold on a moment. - What's the matter?

I think we'll delay answering it again.

Let him call.

I think we need to discuss things again, all together.

Who's going to stay by the phone?

HOSTAGE TAKERS CAN HEAR US

They heard everything.

- Marnix, have you got Skype on your phone? - Yes.

Skype me.

That's different from when those men call.

- Yes, it moves. The background moves. - When they call, the circle doesn't move.

- Seriously? - OK, and then?

Fuck, those guys simply cloned the whole user interface.

So that's why I couldn't get into it.

We've been thinking they're calling us via Skype

but they just made a program that looks like it in order to listen in.

Hold on. That phone has been turned inside out twice

and we've only just found a bug in it?

There isn't a bug in it, it's the program.

If we hang up, we think the call has ended but our microphone remains open.

- True? Or not? - Yeah, technically perfectly possible.

So they heard everything you said?

Hold on, hold on. If those guys heard everything

why didn't they know we were going to turn off the electricity and water?

No, I think we discussed that outside the van when Marnix was looking at the phone.

But... if the microphone is open then the camera may be on too?

Over there.

Yeah.

OK, here.

This here. Stop, stop.

MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL

Arne to Marc.

Can you trace the owner of the Municipal Swimming Pool for me?

- Who sits where? - You sit where you first sat.

You two go in first. I'll come in with the news.

He said he didn't want any cops near the place but I wonder if it's a good idea

- to withdraw everyone. - Yeah...

Right. I'll tell them.

And?

It has been decided to call off the plan to storm the bank. They're not going to.

Are they keeping intervention teams nearby?

No, everyone away from the bank, like they asked for.

D'you know if the Benelux crisis situation exercise has been moved or cancelled?

Moved, I think.

The Dutch had some European summit or other in The Hague

and the special teams had to be on standby there.

So what's it like, an exercise like that?

Last time it was more of a congress than an exercise.

All very theoretical. Although it was very useful.

- Hello? - I've just looked outside.

I think we've got a problem.

Why?

The deadline has passed and that helicopter still isn't here.

Sir, I explained just now that it isn't...

Hello?

- Hello, sir... - Hello, can you hear me?

- Yes, I can hear you. Can you hear me, sir? - I can hardly hear you.

Can you check if the signal is good on that phone?

- Hello? Yes, we've got a signal. - I can hear you. That's better.

- Did you hear my question? - Yes, we heard your question.

Excuse me.

Take everything with you and put it in the back of the van.

Marc. Did you get hold of the owner of the swimming pool?

Yes, he was already here. He's in the crowd.

- His name is Stefaan Op de Beeck. - Where? Which one?

- The man they're interviewing. - OK, thanks.

Excuse me.

Mr. Op de Beeck? My colleague said I could speak to you?

- Yes. - Excuse me, we're talking to this man.

I think my job is a bit more important.

That may be the case, Arne, but you can ask nicely, eh?

May I borrow this gentleman? Thank you. Can you come with me? This way.

How do you know his name?

Kristien.

How do you know that cop's name?

Sir, I just explained why it's so difficult, OK?

They are busy conferring here but arranging a helicopter

for you to escape in isn't something they'll readily agree to.

You need more time. Or what's the problem?

Yes, more time would help. But it's also...

OK. Listen, I'll give you more time. But you will have to deliver, pal.

It's not just a matter of time.

It's also because you're planning to take hostages with you. They can't accept that.

Hey, I'm the one who determines what happens, OK?

If I let my hostages go, you'll do whatever you want.

WHY IS HE PROLONGING IT?

I'm keeping one. The rest are for you. I'm already giving you that.

Sit down.

- You're the owner of the swimming pool? - Manager.

- Manager. - The council owns it. I manage it.

Is the camera on the facade yours or the council's?

- There isn't a camera. - Cut the crap. It's hidden in the alarm.

It's not on the database, so there's no permit for it.

What is all this? Have you really got nothing better to do?

- We'd like to see the images... - My previous camera

had its permit withdrawn because it was supposedly aimed too much at the street.

Invasion of privacy is not in proportion to need. Can you believe it?

Guys smashing my window and stealing the till. Twice in three years.

My yard full of graffiti. None of that matters.

- But if you film their face... - I'm not interested in any of that, sir.

I just want to know if your camera was on this morning and can I see the images?

Can you guarantee I won't get into trouble?

No. But I can guarantee you will if you don't cooperate.

Thibault to Ivo, we've finished the door.

OK, Thibault, try it and see if it's loose.

Copy.

OK, we can. Put it back.

They must have heard that?

Ivo. That Inge is here.

- User name? - Stefaan Op de Beeck. In one word.

Stefaan... F, double A. Beeck with C K.

- Password? - Password.

- You do know your password? - Yes, password.

- From what time? - Everything before 9 a.m., please.

So that wall is correct? But the rooms behind it are empty?

- Yes. Are they upstairs or... - We don't know.

And this door, is it open or locked?

Inge?

Open. I think.

OK. Then I know enough for now.

Hold on, I have to ask you where you've been the past few hours.

- At the coast. - Yes, so you said,

but is there anyone who saw you there who can confirm that?

No.

No?

Did you have anything to eat or drink there?

No.

No.

OK. Thank you.

- You can scan that. - OK, fine.

- And? - She was at the coast.

Her phone was turned off. They're checking it.

You're joking!

More people are being held hostage.

The relatives of those definitely known to have been taken hostage

can meanwhile only wait in fear.

For those who have just joined us, I'll quickly summarize what...

- How the hell did they find out? - Facebook, Instagram, I don't know.

You need to see this.

Hi, Ellen. Sorry, but I was a bit too hasty.

I won't be able to leave yet. Things have got complicated.

I know.

- Vos, we have to go to Ivo. It's urgent. - Ellen, I have to go, urgently,

but I'll call you back later, OK? OK, speak to you later. Bye.

What was it? Op de Beeck? Stefaan Op de Beeck.

What's the matter?

- Where are the images from? - A camera on the swimming pool.

Look. Just after seven... See this van here?

Someone gets out and covers that camera. Goes to the bank.

And here he hangs up the phone for us to find.

- Any better images of the number plate? - No. Too blurry.

Then he gets back in. He parks.

Then someone arrives at 10 to 8.

- That's Walter. - Yes.

Nothing happens. Walter opens the garage door.

Walter goes inside. Now watch.

There. They drive in.

Jesus Christ.

- But it's not there anymore? - No, it's not.

Yes, but hold on.

Then nothing happens for a while.

Then two more arrive. That's... That's Serge and Michael.

That's Inge, by the way. She drives off again. And then, Marnix?

Freya arrives a bit later. Shortly afterwards the two children.

There. Now watch carefully.

- There. - It drives back out again?

Yes.

So at least one of the hostage takers left.

Or all of them.

What?

Yeah, I... I can't imagine that only one drives away

and the rest voluntarily let themselves be surrounded.

The whole thing has been prepared down to the last detail.

They hung up a phone ready. They anticipated that too.

They knew the police would be there in no time at all and...

they know we wouldn't let them go.

A hostage situation with no hostage takers isn't a hostage situation.

If they aren't there, why ask for a ransom? A helicopter?

To make us believe...

They are there, yeah. Those voices for the pizza delivery...

I'd like my people to be able to say what they think too.

We are all working together on this.

Why didn't they release Basil themselves?

The child had to free himself and then went to the door by himself.

I think Vos is right.

In most hostage situations the hostage taker gets more and more nervous

because he realizes he won't get away. In this case it's the reverse.

It's as if he constantly pushes back the deadline himself.

I'm not certain but I wouldn't be surprised if they were no longer there.

In theory we can go in there.

Then we'll know for sure.

OK. Attention Ivo to all teams. Stand by to go in.

Lima, go in quietly. Try to apprehend them without using violence.

Only shoot if you are shot at or if the hostages are in immediate dangers.

Lima 1 and 2, let me know when you are in position.

- Lima to Ivo. In position. Over. - OK, go ahead when you are ready.

Go.

- Lima in position. Stand by for action. - OK, Lima.

Delta, what is the status of the jammer?

Delta to Ivo. Jammer is on. We're trying to block all frequencies.

OK, Delta. Thanks. Ivo to all teams. Lima is about to enter the bank.

Radio silence until update. Lima, go.

- Lima 1 to Ivo. - Yes, Lima 1?

Offices on ground floor cleared. We're waiting for a go for the counter.

OK, Lima 1. Go to the counter but wait with the basement and the first floor.

Lima 2 and 3, stay in position.

Go, go.

That button there.

- Go, go. - OK. Right.

Lima 1 to Ivo. One victim safe. We're taking him outside.

- OK, Lima. Who is it? - Michael.

Over there, over there.

Michael, sit down a moment. Let the people help with that thing around your neck.

I want to know everything Michael knows, quickly.

Lima 2, clear the basement.

Michael, I'm going to ask you a few questions. Where are the hostage takers?

- Are they downstairs, upstairs? - I don't know. They may be...

- They may be upstairs but we're not sure. - Who's we? Freya and someone else?

- Stay with me. Who else is in the bank? - Lie down, relax. Relax.

Just Freya. Freya is downstairs in the archives. I don't know where the rest are.

- Is one of the hostage takers with Freya? - No, she's alone but they can see us.

What, they can... Guys, stop.

A phone with a camera and a loudspeaker.

Phone, camera and loudspeaker. They can hear and see everything.

Goddammit. Ivo to Lima 1, 2 and 3.

Stay where you are. Don't move. We need to confer here.

Now what? What do we do now?

Ivo to Lima 1, 2 and 3, we're going for blackout.

OK, Lima. Blackout on 3, 2, 1...

- Hello? - What are you up to?

- Are you fucking with us? - Hey, hold on. What do you mean?

You know damn well what I mean.

What's up with him all of a sudden?

Why is he so angry?

I've no idea.

- Oh, no. Shit. - What?