The Secret of the Grain, also known as La Graine et le Mulet, is a French drama film directed by Abdellatif Kechiche. It was released in 2007 and won numerous awards, including the César Award for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.
The film follows the story of Slimane, a Tunisian immigrant living in the French port town of Sète. He has spent most of his adult life working as a shipyard worker and looking after his ex-wife, Souad, and their two children, Rym and Majid. Despite his best efforts, he struggles to make ends meet and is constantly battling financial difficulties.
One day, Slimane gets the idea to open a restaurant on an old boat that he has been trying to convert into a floating café for years. He starts to share his dream with his family and close friends, including his new lover, Latifa, and his old friend, Abel. Despite initial skepticism and opposition, Slimane's ambition for the restaurant gradually gains traction and support from those around him.
The preparation for the restaurant opening becomes a major focus of the film, as the family and their friends all pitch in to help with various tasks. Slimane's daughter, Rym, takes on the role of the restaurant's cook and develops a menu that combines North African and French cuisine.
However, as the opening of the restaurant draws near, Slimane faces numerous setbacks and challenges. He struggles to secure funding for the boat, faces opposition from local authorities who see the restaurant as a threat to their own businesses, and deals with the personal drama and tensions within his own family and friends.
Despite these challenges, Slimane and his family persevere, and the restaurant opening becomes a critical moment in their lives. The film's final scenes show the restaurant opening night and the various characters coming together to celebrate their shared success and newfound sense of hope and purpose.
Overall, The Secret of the Grain presents a powerful and empathetic portrayal of a working-class immigrant family in modern-day France. Through its nuanced characters and realistic portrayal of their struggles and ambitions, the film offers a poignant message about the importance of perseverance, community, and personal fulfillment.
