Acquisition of the documentary  series Unsuspected, Autopsy of a two-faced killer

France tv distribution is happy to announce the acquisition of the documentary series (4x52') Unsuspected, Autopsy of a two-faced killer (original title: Insoupçonnable) directed by Elie Wajeman, with the collaboration of Patricia Tourancheau, and produced by Elodie Polo Ackermann, producer at Imagissime (Who Killed Little Gregory?, Netflix).

This true crime documentary series, which is distributed internationally by France tv distribution, was launched during the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris 2024.

Synopsis

A psychiatrist with expertise in serial killers gets fascinated by a famous French cold case that has recently been solved: “the Pockmarked Man” case.

Under the guise of an unremarkable man - a respected policeman, husband, and family man - the killer managed to evade the police for over 35 years while committing heinous crimes.

As he digs deeper into the case and the police officers of the time delve into their memories, his research reveals a dizzying case worthy of the dark tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Episode 1: Expertise of a ghost

In 1987, the Juvenile police is on the trail of a serial rapist in Paris. Annie Peaudeau, the investigating officer, quickly draws up the trail of a multi-recidivist. He is posing as a police officer to break into young girls’ homes. According to the victims’ accounts, he has uneven skin, hence his nickname: the Pockmarked Man. But nobody takes her seriously. Until one day, when the Criminal department takes an interest in her research: these cases could be linked to a murder...

Episode 2: The origins of evil

In 1987, Cécile Bloch, aged 11, is raped and killed in a building in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. Criminal investigators track down the murderer. But despite the existence of witnesses and the presence of DNA, the archaic nature of forensic science at the time prevents the investigation from making any headway. Reduced to dissecting the killer's modus operandi and using only his photofit picture, the investigation stalls.

Episode 3: Staging the horror

As time goes by, the chances of catching Cécile Bloch's killer diminish, while the cold case haunts the investigators. The case is not reopened until 1996: thanks to advances in forensic science and of DNA identification, the murder of Cécile Bloch is linked to the Pockmarked Man case, which takes on a sprawling dimension. DNA analysis reveals that the murderer and serial rapist is also responsible for a double homicide committed in 1996: a man and a young woman murdered in a macabre staging.

Episode 4: The retirement of a serial killer

Despite the number of cases, witnesses, clues, DNA analysis and even the use of profilers, the investigation is still stalling. When a new investigating judge takes over the case in 2021, she is convinced that the killer has been a member of the police force. She summons the 750 former gendarmes who worked in Paris in the 1980s and subjects them to a DNA test. Cornered, François Vérove writes a letter of confession to his wife. This is the final failure in the case: the Pockmarked Man died without being brought to trial.

Original Title: Insoupçonnable

Genre: True Crime 

Format: 4x52’ 

Written by Patricia Tourancheau, Elie Wajeman, Adrien Rode and Laure Chichmanov

Based on the book « Le grêlé, le tueur était un flic » by Patricia Tourancheau

Directed by Elie Wajeman and Patricia Tourancheau

Producer: Elodie Polo Ackermann, Imagissime (Mediawan) 

French Broadcaster: France 2

Photos credits: Imagissime  

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About France tv distribution

France tv distribution works with producers and licensors to maximise revenues from their programmes accross all media platforms encompassing video, VOD and music publishing, merchandising, magazine and book publishing, plus French and international distribution and fund-raising.

Since January 2017, France tv distribution has gone hand in hand with distribution films abroad. As a major player on the distribution of rights in France and in foreign markets, this new activity of trading feature films is added to its savoir-faire.