The Inquisitor

Maitre Jerome Martinaud, the respected notary of a small French coastal town, is unexpectedly summoned to the police station on New Year's Eve: experienced inspector Antoine Gallien is searching for the child murderer and rapist who has already claimed two girls as victims - and wants to question Martinaud as a witness, as he discovered one of the children's bodies and notified the police. But Martinaud's arrogant and cynical remarks soon arouse Gallien and his young colleague Belmont's suspicion - is Martinaud the perpetrator? Although Gallien and Belmont are quickly convinced of the notary's guilt, they lack the decisive evidence. A grueling interrogation begins that will last the entire New Year's Eve - a duel between the cool Gallien and the ironic Martinaud. In addition to the incessant psychological pressure from Gallien, the suspect is soon also exposed to physical threats from the impulsive Belmont. Over the course of the night, Martinaud, barely able to withstand the pressure, increasingly loses his composure-degraded from the respected "Maitre Martinaud" to the despicable "Martinaud." While he becomes increasingly entangled in contradictions, his wife Chantal arrives at the police station to speak to Gallien in person. But instead of fighting for her husband, she incriminates him heavily. She tells him that she has been keeping him away from her for years after observing him making advances toward her little niece.