Synopsis: Two criminal investigations. The same day. Two detectives are assigned two very peculiar cases... An action thriller set in against the breathtaking backdrop of the French Alps, "The Crimson Rivers" stars Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel in a gripping who-dunnit involving a series of... Two criminal investigations. The same day. Two detectives are assigned two very peculiar cases...

An action thriller set in against the breathtaking backdrop of the French Alps, "The Crimson Rivers" stars Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel in a gripping who-dunnit involving a series of grisly murders, a child's death twenty years earlier, and the secret history of a small town.

Veteran cop Pierre Niemans (Jean Reno) is sent to Guernon to investigate a bizarre murder near a legendary private school isolated in the Alps. And it's no ordinary murder; the killer has been very methodical, leaving twisted, inexplicable clues to his motive. Complicating matters are the university administrators who are uncooperative and somewhat defiant to Niemans' questioning. Meanwhile Max Kerkerian (Vincent Cassel), an impetuous young cop and former car thief, arrives at a desecrated graveyard 180 miles away. Someone has disturbed the grave of a child who died twenty years ago.

These two seemingly random events are about to collide as the separate investigations lead the detectives right to one another. The more experienced Niemans begrudgingly joins forces with the brash Max to track down the killer. Despite his constant ribbing and sarcastic banter, Max respects the older cop. The two crimes are most assuredly linked - but how? And what do they have to do with the genetic research department at this legendary university and its odd inhabitants? What could the prestigious school possibly have to hide?

As the two men begin to work together they realize that charisma isn't the only trait they share. With sharp instincts, professional cunning and a willingness to risk everything to solve the case, Niemans and Max are more alike than either would care to admit - a fact they come to rely on as the investigation continues. As the killer leaves increasingly gruesome clues and they near the terrible truth, the dangers multiply - along with the human cost. The men are led to a final showdown on the deadly mountain, trapped between icy heights and death's door.

Based on the novel by Jean Christophe Grange, "The Crimson Rivers" is directed by Matthieu Kassovitz and produced by Alain Goldman. The script is written by Grange and Kassovitz. Tristar will release the film in New York and Los Angeles on June 29th.

"The Crimson Rivers" is in French with English subtitles. -- © 2001 Columbia Pictures [More]