Promises

After two terms as mayor of the Bernardins residential district in the Paris suburbs, Clemence Collombet had decided to step down from the political stage. Shortly before the end of her term, however, one project remains unfinished: the thorough renovation of the neighborhood with the help of 63 million Euros in government subsidies. In fact, residents have been suffering for years from the living conditions in the high-rise towers, which are gradually falling into disrepair. They all own their apartments, but find it difficult to make ends meet; some earn extra income by illegally subletting tiny rooms to migrants. Due to her expiring mandate, Clemence lacks the time to obtain the hoped-for funding for the residential district and thus fulfill a long-standing campaign promise. With the help of her chief of staff Yazid, who himself grew up in the suburbs, Clemence risks everything to obtain state support at the last minute. When the residents of the neighborhood decide to stop paying their utility bills in protest after colossal water damage, Clemence's plans go up in smoke. Paris will not allocate aid money to a district that is in debt. Now Clemence and Yazid must hurry: in pursuing her goal with opaque strategies, Clemence forgets her promise to herself to give up power.