Un Honnete Commercant (2002)

Genres - Thriller, Crime  |   Run Time - 86 min.  |   Countries - Belgium, Luxembourg, United States  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Ryan Shriver

Investigating the murder of the entire family of a known drug lord, Brussels police round up and interrogate another wily suspected drug lord, who is the probable enemy of the deceased in first-time director Philippe Blasband's psychological thriller Step by Step. Hubert Verkamen (Benoit Verhaert) -- who has been arrested numerous times by narcotics investigators without any successful convictions -- is brought in yet again as the chief suspect in the aforementioned massacre. Leading the interrogation are officers Mercier (Serge Lariviere) and Denoote (Federic Bodson), as all three are watched via video hook-up by division chief Bex (Yolande Moreau). Control of the interview quickly changes hands, as the extremely self-assured Verkaman sets out to destroy the integrity and honor of Bex and her officers -- aided by the ghost of his old gangster mentor, Mr. Chevalier (Philippe Noiret). But as the officers find Verkaman's weakness -- his pride -- they begin to gain an insight into the businessman's past that may lead them to bringing him down. Step By Step was an official selection in the 2002 Montreal World Film Festival.