In 2019, the film Hors Normes (released internationally as The Specials) made millions of viewers laugh and cry. But four years earlier, in 2015, there was a first gesture — quieter, more personal: a 26-minute documentary, made by the same filmmakers, about a childhood friend who was on the verge of giving up. That friend is Stéphane Benhamou, founder of Le Silence des Justes.
A documentary born from a childhood friendship
In June 2015, Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache — already known for Intouchables — directed On devrait en faire un film ("We Should Make a Film About This"), a 26-minute documentary produced by Canal+. Its subject: Stéphane Benhamou, whom they describe as "the third member of their childhood trio," who founded Le Silence des Justes in the 1990s to help autistic children.
The full documentary, directed by Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache (2015) — click to play.
"Five years ago, at a time when our friend Stéphane was about to throw in the towel, we made a documentary to support his cause and alert the authorities."
— Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, interview for Influencia
An alliance between two associations
The documentary also tells the story of a decisive meeting: between Stéphane Benhamou, founder of Le Silence des Justes, and Daoud Tatou, founder of the association Le Relais Île-de-France. Daoud Tatou recruits part of his support staff from young people in underserved neighborhoods — a way, for both men, to respond together to the same urgent need: giving a future to autistic children that no one else wanted to take in.
From documentary to feature film
This documentary was only the beginning. Four years later, Toledano and Nakache turned this true story into fiction: Hors Normes (The Specials), presented at Cannes in 2019. Stéphane Benhamou becomes Bruno, played by Vincent Cassel; Daoud Tatou becomes Malik, played by Reda Kateb. Le Silence des Justes appears under the fictional name "La Voix des Justes."
The trailer for Hors Normes (The Specials), with Vincent Cassel and Reda Kateb (2019).
Public and critical success
Presented out of competition as the closing film of the 72nd Cannes Film Festival, Hors Normes was a huge success: more than 2.1 million admissions in France, one of the biggest French box-office hits of autumn 2019. It won the Audience Award at the San Sebastián Film Festival, then earned 9 nominations at the 2020 César Awards — including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor for both Vincent Cassel and Reda Kateb.
Without winning any of them that night, the film received the César des Lycéens a few months later — a prize voted on by a jury of 2,000 French high-school seniors. A different kind of recognition, but perhaps an even more fitting one for a film about how we look at difference.
An impact beyond the screen
Beyond its box-office success, this story had real consequences for the sector. In Le Silence des Justes' 2025 annual report, its leadership reflected on this moment:
"The film Hors Normes marked a turning point: it exposed the system's failures and forced public authorities to act, including a national funding package of 90 million euros."
— Le Silence des Justes, 2025 Annual Report
Today, the association runs 12 facilities and mobilizes 900 professionals — a journey that began long before the cameras arrived, but one the film undeniably helped bring to public attention.
Frequently asked questions
No, the association appears under the fictional name "La Voix des Justes." Stéphane Benhamou, its founder, becomes the character Bruno.
Vincent Cassel, as Bruno. Reda Kateb plays Daoud Tatou, as Malik.
It's available for free on YouTube — you can watch it directly above, earlier in this article.
Before it became a film that moved millions of viewers, it was, first and foremost, an act of friendship — from two filmmakers who refused to watch their friend give up.
This is our story too: a conviction that hasn't changed since 1996 — every child deserves a future, no matter where they start from.
Sources: Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, interview for Influencia; Le Silence des Justes 2025 Annual Report; AlloCiné; Wikipedia; CNC; Hop'Toys blog.
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