Mafia and Republic
Directed by Christophe Bouquet
This documentary series examines the nefarious links between Corsican mafiosi and politicians of all stripes over three generations. Using archive footage and explanations provided by historians, journalists, magistrates and witnesses (Barthélemy Guerini's daughter, Étienne Léandri's confidant, Loïk Le Floch-Prigent...), it unravels the obscure mechanisms - services rendered in exchange for impunity - that enabled a little-known yet all-powerful criminal organization to export itself to every continent and infiltrate the antechambers of power.
Episode 1 - Birth of an invisible power (1929-1945)
It all begins in Marseille in 1929. Sabiani, an ambitious politician, wants to win the mayoralty. Carbone and Spirito, two thugs, guarantee him victory in exchange for access to power. France's first political-mafia alliance was sealed. It continued through the Second World War. Carbone and Spirito plunged into collaboration. The new generation joined the Resistance. As the war drew to a close, Étienne Léandri, gigolo and gestapiste, fled to Italy to prepare for what's to come...
Episode 2 - Serving France (1945-1975)
In 1945, France had to restore law and order, fight the Communists and defend its colonies. The authorities extended the scurrilous pact made with the Corsican mafia. In exchange for their services in Marseille, Tangiers and Hanoi, the French Republic and the American CIA offered impunity to second-generation Corsican godfathers. They established themselves in the heroin trade, worked with Cosa Nostra, ran gambling rings and intimidated the special services. Until the United States declared war on the French Connection. One man escapes: Étienne Léandri, who stands on the edge of the two worlds and forges close ties with politician Charles Pasqua...
Episode 3 - The gangrenous Republic (1975-2015)
With decolonization, the Corsican mafia was down on one knee. The French Republic helped it to rise again, by integrating it into the corruption system of the oil company Elf. At the heart of this mechanism is the inescapable Étienne Leandri. As a tool of post-colonial domination, Elf relies on the submission of African heads of state and the children of the Corsican diaspora in Africa. After making their fortune in Africa, the Corso-Africans moved to France. They benefited from high-level protection at the very pinnacle of power, forged links with the godfather of Southern Corsica and the Brise de mer gang, and gambled on the compromise of certain nationalists to fulfill their dream of transforming Corsica into a mafia paradise. But betrayal, greed and political change make their plans falter.
Directed by: Christophe Bouquet
Writing: Christophe Nick, Pierre Péan and Vanessa Ratignier
Production: YAMI 2 - Christophe Nick
Broadcaster: ARTE
Year of release: 2017
Duration: 3 x 60 min
The series lasts more than three hours, but Christophe Bouquet, Vanessa Ratignier, Christophe Nick and Pierre Péan's investigation into the influence of the Corsican mafia in France and around the world proves fascinating. - Libération
French 
English