FABIEN HÉRAUD

JEAN VALJEAN (2026)

Starring Grégory Gadebois, Isabelle Carré, Alexandra Lamy, Bernard Campan and Loup Cousteil. Directed by Éric Besnard.

1815. Provence, France. In the peaceful village of Digne, there’s a rumour that a dangerous man has entered the area. The hulking Jean has just been released from prison after nineteen years of hard labour. Issued with identification that forever sees him 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, who lives simply with his sister and a lone servant. 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.

THE FINISHERS (2014)

Starring Jacques Gamblin, Alexandra Lamy and Fabien HÉraud. Directed by Nils Tavernier.

Julien is 17, has a great sense of humour, bags of charm, and is wheelchair-bound due to cerebral palsy.

Despite their love for him, his family is gradually falling apart under the strain of dealing with his disability. In a bid to bond with his father, Julien challenges him to participate with him in the Ironman race in Nice, a triathlon in which his father has previously competed.

This trial is already exceptional, but it becomes almost impossible if one has to help a disabled youth throughout the course. Beyond the sporting exploit, this is the story of one family’s exemplary combat, and a moving portrait of the love between a father and his son.