Vidocq is a French fantasy mystery film released in 2001. It was directed by Pitof and stars Gérard Depardieu as Vidocq, a famous French detective during the early 19th century.
The movie opens with Vidocq fighting the Alchemist, a mysterious and skilled assassin who has been terrorizing Paris for months. During the fight, Vidocq is apparently killed and his body is found in the Seine river.
Vidocq's young biographer, Etienne Boisset, is devastated by the death of his mentor and decides to investigate the case himself. He discovers that the Alchemist is actually a scientist named Prolix who has created a serum that can bring the dead back to life. Prolix plans to use this serum to create an army of undead soldiers and take over France.
Etienne teams up with an actress named Preah and together they try to stop Prolix and his evil plan. Along the way, they encounter a variety of strange and dangerous characters, including a giant henchman, a seductive Gypsy, and a mad scientist.
The film is notable for its unique visual style, which combines live-action footage with intricate computer-generated imagery. The sets and costumes are extravagant and creative, giving the movie a surreal and dreamlike quality.
Vidocq received mixed reviews upon its release but has since become a cult classic among fans of French fantasy and sci-fi cinema.