Jérôme Pierrat

Omar, better known as Omar the Strawberry, is an old-fashioned bandit. Forced to flee to Algeria, he makes a living out of petty crime, accompanied by his famous sidekick Roger. After decades of ruling the French criminal underworld, they must come to terms with their new life together, which until now has been one of debauchery and violence.

Déborah, in her thirties, is stuck in a hospital bed following a car accident. As she tries to warn her spouse, she feels a presence in the darkness of the room…

Featuring interviews with his accomplices and victims alike, this deep dive explores how a master con man scammed French elites out of millions of euros.

This investigation explores the rise of a new generation of criminals in sensitive neighborhoods, using increasingly radical methods to settle scores with guns. Executions now happen over small sums of money or drugs, with both perpetrators and victims growing younger, affecting both large cities and smaller towns. Traffickers, hitmen, experts, police, and judges share their insights.

Organized crime of the 1970s-80s has been replaced by a new wave of urban gangsters—heavily armed, highly organized, and resourceful. Inspired by Hollywood, they carry out bold heists, smuggle drugs with high-speed cars, and secure their profits for their families and retirement.

Marseille, a city with a dual identity, is seen both as the setting of Pagnol’s films and as a hub for powerful organized crime. Often labeled France’s crime capital, its contemporary history is marked by recurring violence and media portrayals that clash with political leaders’ responses. Jérôme Pierrat examines the roots of this violence, exploring two centuries of social and political challenges that have shaped the city.