The always-terrific Grégory Gadebois re-teams with writer/director Éric Besnard (Delicious) for a poignant new adaptation of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Miserables, charting the origin story of Jean Valjean, the beloved tale’s iconic protagonist.
1815. Provence, France. In the peaceful village of Digne, there’s a rumour that a dangerous man has entered the area. The hulking Jean (Gadebois) has just been released from prison after nineteen years of hard labour. Forever branded a criminal and ostracised, Jean is not surprised to be repeatedly turned away as he seeks refuge for the night. Desperate, he unknowingly knocks at the door of the house of Monseigneur Bienvenu (Bernard Campan), who lives simply, with his sister (Isabelle Carré) and a lone servant (Alexandra Lamy). Against all odds, Bienvenu invites him in for supper and offers a bed for the night. Despite Jean’s embitterment and lingering mistrust, humanity seems to stir within him, beneath his suffering…
A gripping exploration of justice, grace and moral redemption, Besnard’s reflective and intimate drama - and Gadebois’ towering central performance - bring great depth to Hugo’s hero, a spurned man compelled by kindness and compassion to follow a new path.