'' The Eighth Day '' ( ) is a 1996 Belgian comedy-drama film that tells the story of the friendship that develops between two men who meet by chance . Harry ( Daniel Auteuil ) , a divorced businessman who feels alienated from his children , meets Georges ( Pascal Duquenne ) , an institutionalised man with Down 's syndrome , after Georges has escaped from his mental institution and is nearly run over by Harry . The film was selected as the Belgian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 69th Academy Awards , but was not accepted as a nominee
69th Academy Awards
69th Academy Awards
The Eighth Day (1996 film)