A groundbreaking documentary series titled "Vendetta" aired on France 3 on March 19, 2025, revealing the rise and fall of the notorious Corsican gang known as La Brise de mer. From its inception in the late 1970s in a bar in Bastia to its expansion across the island and beyond, this organization transformed from a local gang of thugs into a significant player in organized crime, influencing political and economic spheres in Corsica.
Renowned journalists Philippe Lagnier and Violette Lazard directed the three-part series, each episode lasting 50 minutes. The documentary digs deep into the gang's history, significant events, and testimonials that paint a vivid picture of its operations. The Brise de mer controlled the northern parts of Corsica and forged connections in international criminal networks. Its story is framed as a tragic narrative of brotherhood, betrayal, and power, culminating in a series of violent confrontations in the late 2000s.
Born from a group of young Corsican men, La Brise de mer was not initially driven by nationalist aspirations, unlike some organizations like the FLNC. Instead, its founding members aimed to dominate local markets, from slot machines to nightclubs, in a quest for profit and power. The gang's influence peaked around 2008 and 2009 when a violent internal conflict led to significant casualties and a fractured organization.
According to the documentary, the driving force behind the gang's notorious reputation can be traced back to its early days. Legend has it that La Brise de mer earned its name from a bar that served as a meeting place for the gang's founders. Here, in a bar filled with youthful ambition and reckless valor, these young men set the stage for a future steeped in crime. It was in August 1982 that the gang was implicated in up to 100 attacks in a single night, marking the viciousness with which they operated.
"It's a story that captures the essence of French organized crime," Lagnier stated, emphasizing that the series is not merely a recounting of the gang's exploits but also a reflection of the broader socio-political context. The documentary not only revisits notorious heists, particularly the infamous UBS bank robbery in 1990 that netted 35 million euros, but also highlights the entrenched corruption within Corsican institutions that enabled the gang's operations.
Throughout its 25-year reign, La Brise de mer allegedly corrupted local officials, weaving a complex web of alliances with politicians and law enforcement. A former police officer recounts surprising discoveries made during raids, revealing lists of electoral promises arranged by family connections—a tactic that underscores the gang’s manipulative depth.
The documentary also reveals the extent to which state authorities ignored the gang’s activities, often focusing solely on nationalist violence while neglecting the criminal enterprise thriving under their noses. It wasn't until 2012, when then-Interior Minister Manuel Valls addressed the mafia directly, that the veil of ignorance began to lift. He remarked, "Everyone in the services, at the Interior Ministry, knew the activities of figures like Michel Tomi."
The series also touches on the human cost of the gang’s empire. It chronicles the brutal assassinations of individuals such as Richard Casanova, an influential member who remained at large for 16 years before being murdered in 2008. Through interviews with witnesses and law enforcement officials, the series outlines the endless cycle of revenge that characterized Corsican organized crime.
Christophe Guazzelli, the alleged assassin of rival criminals Jean-Luc Codaccioni and Antoine Quilichini, demonstrated the lingering influence of the Brise de mer. His motivations rooted in familial allegiance—to avenge his father, Francis Guazzelli, one of the gang's founding members—reflect the enduring legacy of this crime syndicate in contemporary Corsican life.
Although La Brise de mer's dominance has waned, its legacy lives on, marked by a high-rate of violence that persists in Corsica. The rampant criminal activity renders the region the most dangerous area in Europe, showcasing how a once-dominant gang’s influence has shaped both criminal culture and law enforcement responses over decades.
This immersive documentary invites viewers to explore the profound impact of La Brise de mer on Corsican society, shedding light not only on the individuals involved but also on the systemic issues that allowed such an organization to thrive for so many years. Airing on primetime television, "Vendetta" serves not only as entertainment but as an important historical documentation of a significant chapter in France's criminal history.
