The Last Baron

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This gripping narrative unfolds the 1970s kidnapping of Baron Edouard "Wado" Empain, intertwined with the legacy of his grandfather, the first Baron, who constructed the Paris Metro. Set against the contrasting backdrops of Belle Époque and 1970s high-fashion Paris, the story explores the creation and survival of a dynasty amidst societal upheaval. Beginning in 1896, the first Baron built an empire spanning France, Belgium, and Egypt, which Wado would inherit and expand during the turbulent 1960s and '70s. By 1978, as public sentiment shifted against wealth and industry, high-profile kidnappings became rampant, mirroring the infamous Patty Hearst case. Alan Callioll, a small-time gangster from a different background, seizes the opportunity to kidnap Wado, believing they can secure a ransom of 2 million francs. However, the unfolding events challenge the expectations of both the kidnappers and Wado. Will his company pay the ransom? What is the true value of a leader? Can the French police outsmart the criminals? Each question is rooted in the past, reflecting on the first Baron Empain's legacy, Wado's upbringing, and the shifting dynamics of a city that may no longer need the Empain family.