The New Protocol (2008) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A grieving father uncovers a deadly pharmaceutical conspiracy and takes extreme measures to expose the truth.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Grief and Suspicion

Raoul Kraft mourns his son Franck and learns about clinical trials. He investigates the pharmacy burglary and meets Professor Pleynel, who denies any wrongdoing.

Key Events

• Son's Fatal Crash — Raoul learns his son died in a car accident plunging into a ravine. Characters: Raoul Kraft Location: Forest Road
• Diane's Revelation — Diane informs Raoul that Franck was in clinical trials for a new drug. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Diane Location: Pharmacy
• Pharmacy Burglary — Burglars search the pharmacy but leave empty-handed because Raoul has the pills. Characters: Raoul Kraft Location: Pharmacy
• Meeting Pleynel — Raoul meets Professor Pleynel, who denies any side effects from the trials. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Pleynel Location: Paris Lab
• Conference Expulsion — Diane is expelled after accusing Verneuil of unethical trials on African populations. Characters: Diane, Louise Verneuil Location: Conference Hall

Uncovering the Conspiracy

Raoul teams up with activist Diane to expose Hexcelor and Nextys. They steal documents, uncover corporate links, and face repeated attacks from hired thugs.

Key Events

• Conference Expulsion — Diane is expelled after accusing Verneuil of unethical trials on African populations. Characters: Diane, Louise Verneuil Location: Conference Hall
• Theft Discovery — Raoul discovers Diane is the thief who tried to steal his medication. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Diane Location: Diane's Home
• First Rescue — Raoul saves Diane from two individuals trying to catch her. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Diane Location: Diane's Home
• William's Analysis — Raoul gives the pills to William for scientific analysis. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Diane, William Location: William's Place
• Burial and Realization — Raoul buries his son and concludes the accident was not caused by driving errors. Characters: Raoul Kraft Location: Cemetery
• Corporate Link — Diane reveals the subcontracting agreement between Nextys and Hexcelor. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Diane Location: Street
• Placebo Revelation — William confirms the medication is a placebo, contradicting the company's claims. Characters: William Location: Phone Call

The Trap and Tragedy

William's analysis reveals a placebo, but it leads to a police chase. Diane is fatally shot during their escape, leaving Raoul alone and vengeful.

Key Events

• Corporate Link — Diane reveals the subcontracting agreement between Nextys and Hexcelor. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Diane Location: Street
• Second Attack — Diane is attacked by armed men, but Raoul saves her again. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Diane Location: Street
• Document Heist — They infiltrate the lab and steal Franck's medical file. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Diane Location: Nextys Lab
• Pleynel Interrogation — They intercept Pleynel, who claims police are chasing them and abandons them. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Diane, Pleynel Location: Forest
• Trap and Chase — William's call reveals a trap, leading to a police chase. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Diane, William Location: Paris Streets
• Diane's Death — Diane is shot by police and dies from her wounds during the escape. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Diane Location: Paris Streets

Infiltration and Revelation

Raoul infiltrates the Davos summit disguised as security. He confronts Louise Verneuil, who confesses to the unethical protocol and shifts blame to Pleynel.

Key Events

• Diane's Death — Diane is shot by police and dies from her wounds during the escape. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Diane Location: Paris Streets
• Summit Infiltration — Raoul assumes a security guard identity to infiltrate the pharmaceutical summit. Characters: Raoul Kraft Location: Davos Hotel
• Verneuil Confrontation — Raoul threatens Verneuil, who explains the trial protocol and blames Pleynel. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Louise Verneuil Location: Hotel Room
• Protocol Truth — Verneuil reveals the protocol intentionally allows deaths for greater medical progress. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Louise Verneuil Location: Hotel Room

The Final Protocol

Witnessing the executives' smugness on television pushes Raoul to his limit. He assassinates Verneuil on stage and surrenders to the authorities.

Key Events

• Protocol Truth — Verneuil reveals the protocol intentionally allows deaths for greater medical progress. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Louise Verneuil Location: Hotel Room
• TV Broadcast Fury — Raoul watches Pleynel and Verneuil smiling on TV, driving him to fury. Characters: Raoul Kraft Location: Hotel Room
• Summit Assassination — Raoul assassinates Verneuil mid-speech during the global summit. Characters: Raoul Kraft, Louise Verneuil Location: Conference Palace
• Final Surrender — Raoul surrenders to authorities after carrying out the assassination. Characters: Raoul Kraft Location: Conference Palace

Story Breakdown

• Grief and Investigation — Raoul processes his son's death and begins questioning the official narrative.
  • Son's Fatal Crash — The inciting incident that shatters Raoul's life.
  • Pharmacy Burglary — Corporate agents attempt to retrieve the drug sample.
  • Meeting the Professor — Raoul confronts Pleynel, who dismisses his concerns.
• Alliance and Discovery — Raoul partners with Diane to dig deeper into the trial data.
  • Diane's Accusations — Diane reveals unethical practices at the conference.
  • William's Analysis — The medication is tested and found to be a placebo.
  • Document Heist — Raoul and Diane steal Franck's confidential medical file.
• Corporate Conspiracy — The investigation exposes the hidden partnership between Nextys and Hexcelor.
  • Nextys-Hexcelor Link — Diane uncovers the subcontracting agreement.
  • Pleynel's Denial — The professor lies about anomalies and abandons them.
  • Police Interception — Authorities are revealed to be protecting the corporation.
• Tragedy and Escape — A setup by William leads to a deadly chase and Diane's death.
  • William's Trap — The analysis results are used to lure them into danger.
  • Street Chase — Raoul and Diane flee through Paris under heavy fire.
  • Diane's Death — Diane is fatally shot, leaving Raoul isolated and enraged.
• Infiltration and Truth — Raoul infiltrates the summit and forces Verneuil to confess.
  • Summit Disguise — Raoul poses as security to access the executive floor.
  • Verneuil's Confession — Verneuil admits to the trial's fatal flaws.
  • The Cold Protocol — The ethical justification for sacrificing trial subjects is revealed.
• Retribution and Surrender — Raoul executes his final act of vengeance and accepts the consequences.
  • TV Broadcast Fury — Seeing the executives smile publicly breaks Raoul's restraint.
  • Assassination — Raoul kills Verneuil during her keynote address.
  • Final Capitulation — Raoul surrenders to police, completing his tragic arc.

Directed by

Thomas Vincent

Key Cast

• Clovis Cornillac — Raoul Kraft
• Marie-Josée Croze — Diane
• Dominique Reymond — Louise Verneuil
• Stéphane Hillel — Pleynel
• Gilles Cohen — William