"Les Misérables", a novel by Victor Hugo published in 1862, is one of the best known works of French literature. The story takes place between 1815 and 1832 and focuses on the character of Jean Valjean. But it is a whole section of society that the author shows in these five volumes through the description of the characters who gravitate around Jean Valjean: a single mother forced to part with her child; a child exploited by an unscrupulous couple; a couple using all means to survive, even the most vile; a boy abandoned by his parents and living in the street; etc. These are Les Misérables, to whom Hugo wants to draw attention and for whom he wants to evoke compassion. This documentary looks at the genesis of the novel and the path taken by Victor Hugo: how did this young man, born into affluence and a royalist background, gradually turn towards the republic, social justice, progress and fraternity? This film is also available in French on filmfriend.