The Clearstream affair. The nerve center of one of the greatest politico-financial sagas France has ever known, interweaving affairs of state and secrets of the Republic. Intertwining political power and industrial power, media power and financial power.
The four powers, inextricably entangled in a TV documentary. For this one, Christophe Nick brought together Vanessa Ratignier, Pierre Péan and Jean-Robert Viallet for three years of investigation, resulting in a 6 x 52-minute series for France 5.
From the Taiwan frigates to the war between Matra and Thomson, from the Karachi bombing to the famous Luxembourg clearing house listings… In her investigation, Vanessa Ratignier looks back over thirty years of French political history from the angle of the « battle of powers », highlighting the dangerous links between arms companies, secret services and politicians. These ingredients provide the material for a veritable politico-financial thriller.
Jean-Robert Viallet has chosen to use this meticulous investigation as the common thread running through the documentaries. Exchanges between the young journalist and affairs of state specialist Pierre Péan punctuate the 6 episodes.
But this story also deserved its place on the Internet. A new way of telling it, other elements to reveal.
Here, it’s the Internet user who leads the investigation. No more intermediaries, they are invited to dive straight into the case. Literally. And then to become progressively involved, to become an actor… a posteriori.
First, he meets the key players in the case, who will guide him as he gradually uncovers a vertiginous database. Depending on his inclination, knowledge and intuition, he may choose to interview Jean-Louis Gergorin, a strategist in the military-industrial complex obsessed by the death of his mentor, or Denis Robert, a journalist fascinated by the trail of dirty money. He may also decide to delve into the notebooks of General Rondot, a lone rider at the heart of the secret services, or those of Yves Bertrand, former head of the Renseignements Généraux.
As he progresses and makes choices, the database grows. He knows he’s never alone. He himself is involved in the case, and appears in the listings. At any moment, you can see who’s connected and how the investigations of other viewers are progressing. Internet users can register with their Facebook or Twitter account, so they too can be part of the case. The story is also told on social networks, where users’ progress can be followed live. All the tools of the Web are put to good use to build a global program, where the different channels respond to and complement each other. Thanks to them, new aspects of the story take shape, in a site that offers a metaphorical experience of the case. A site that exudes investigation, paranoia, a profusion of hypotheses and doubts. A site that emphasizes the game of power as much as the power of the game. A playful site. On the surface…