He wanted to make a more linear film than '' Toto le héros '' , one which explored the world through the eyes of a man with Down syndrome . Van Dormael 's next film , '' Le huitieme jour '' ( '' The Eighth Day '' ) , accomplishes this with the chance meeting and friendship between Georges , played by Pascal Duquenne , and Harry , an unhappy divorced businessman portrayed by Daniel Auteuil . Van Dormael 's interest in people with mental and physical disabilities stems from an interest in their " talent for life , for loving life , that we often lack . " He sought to explore the concept of two worlds ( that of Georges and that of Harry ) existing simultaneously and yet separately . '' Le huitième jour '' premiered at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival , where it was nominated for the Palme d'Or . It did win the Best Actor award at the festival , which was given to both Pascal Duquenne and Daniel Auteuil . This was the first time in the festival 's history that two actors had shared the award . The film received four Joseph Plateau Awards and was nominated for a César Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film . '' Le huitième jour '' grossed $ 33 million worldwide on a budget of $ 5 million , making it Van Dormael 's highest-grossing film to that point
1996 Cannes Film Festival
1996 Cannes Film Festival
Jaco Van Dormael