down syndrome

The Eighth Day (1996)

Poster for The Eighth Day

What a difference a day makes…

Georges has Down syndrome, living at a mental-institution, Harry is a busy businessman, giving lectures for young aspiring salesmen. He is successful in his business life, but his social life is a disaster since his wife left him and took their two children with her. This weekend his children came by train to meet him, but Harry, working as always, forgot to pick them up. Neither his wife or his children want to see him again and he is driving around on the country roads, anguished and angry. He almost runs over Georges, on the run from the institution since everybody else went home with their parents except him, whose mother is dead. Harry tries to get rid of Georges but he won't leave his new friend. Eventually a special friendship forms between the two of them, a friendship which makes Harry a different person.

Cast & Crew

Director
Jaco Van Dormael
  • Profile picture of Daniel Auteuil
    Harry Daniel Auteuil
  • Profile picture of Pascal Duquenne
    Georges Pascal Duquenne
  • Profile picture of Miou-Miou
    Julie Miou-Miou
  • Profile picture of Henri Garcin
    Bank manager Henri Garcin
  • Profile picture of Isabelle Sadoyan
    Georges' Mother Isabelle Sadoyan
  • Profile picture of Fabienne Loriaux
    Fabienne, Georges's sister Fabienne Loriaux
  • Profile picture of Juliette Van Dormael
    Juliette Juliette Van Dormael
  • Profile picture of Sabrina Leurquin
    Snack waitress Sabrina Leurquin

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Keywords

  • down syndrome