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The Secret of the Grain

Play trailer Poster for The Secret of the Grain 2008 2h 31m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 52 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
As the shipyard where a Tunisian immigrant works is winding down, Slimane plans to use his redundancy to open a couscous restaurant, with the main dish cooked by his ex-wife Souad, who is renowned among family and friends for the quality of her food. His daughter Rym supports him, and she uses her wiles to help him, but he must also win over the local businessmen and bureaucrats to raise funds and gain planning permission.
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The Secret of the Grain

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Critics Consensus

A complex portrait of an immigrant family, The Secret of the Grain is a sprawling, intimate film with many fine performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express Apr 30, 2019
[Abdel] Kechiche knows his subject and the film reflects the warmth and understanding with which he views it, though it is inordinately long at 2 hrs and 30 minutes. Go to Full Review Elisabeth Lequeret Film Comment Magazine Nov 14, 2013
Kechiche may subscribe to Renoir's "Everyone has his reasons," but here he shoots the action with a nervous tension that's more evocative of Pialat. Go to Full Review Lisa Kennedy Denver Post Jul 10, 2009
3.5/4
Never sagging, it unfolds over 2 1/2 hours. Nothing is overexplained. Indeed, it takes us time to suss out Slimane's various familial relationships. Go to Full Review Kaleem Aftab The List Nov 4, 2018
4/5
This depiction of Arab family life with all its attendant problems shares with comparable drama La Haine an empathy for immigrants. Go to Full Review Annie Wagner The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Aug 21, 2017
Almost certainly the best movie in SIFF 2008, Abdellatif Kechiche's follow-up to Games of Love & Chance burrows into a tight-knit Tunisian immigrant community in a small port town in the south of France. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Apr 27, 2011
A-
A beautifully painted portrait of everyday Arab immigrant life in France among a large dysfunctional family. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Claudio C @Claudio666 Feb 4, 2026 La graine et le mulet / The Secret of the Grain (2007) Despite the Excessive Running Time (151 Min.), the Movie Does Not Have Ending (12,253 – 03 Feb 2026 – Claudio Carvalho) "La graine et le mulet", a.k,a. "The Secret of the Grain" (2007), is a peculiar film by Abdellatif Kechiche. Despite the excessive running time (151 min.), the movie does not have ending. The story is interesting and very realistic, giving the sensation to the viewer that he is participating of the problems of a Arab/French family. The performances are in general magnificent. However, the lack of conclusion is absolutely disappointing. If the viewer wants to see a movie with great acting and a different culture, this film is highly recommended aware that does not have conclusion.My vote is seven. Title (Brazil): "O Segredo do Grão" ("The Secret of the Grain") My Blog: https://maniacosporfilme.wordpress.com/ See more Siriporn P @Malee Jul 25, 2025 Too much rambling. Too prolongated. A bit boring. If this was made shorter, i.e. 1:30hrs instead of 2:30, it should be more interesting. See more Jun 22, 2015 This was certainly a powerful story of life's purpose, meaning, and the result that random coincidences can have on it. Unfortunately, it was way too long but the conclusion was well executed. See more Emilio T @MilloTPue Jul 26, 2014 I like the characters and feel sympathy and comprehension for them, but that is not enough to make a movie. See more Jan 3, 2014 God, the first half is really boring and it has this over-complicated knot. Thank God the second half is more interesting and mind-provoking. But I think it's overuse the short-range shots and the cinematography & style aren't fresh and interesting. The cinematography just REALLY plain. And it's not really complex, and the actors ability are good. Hafsia Herzi is really excellent while Habib Boufares makes me yawning. See more Jan 27, 2013 Neo-realist. Beautiful. Profound. And with the most life like performances I've ever seem captured on film. Modern classic. Essential viewing. One of the best films of the 21st century. See more Read all reviews
The Secret of the Grain

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Cast & Crew

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Abdel Kechiche

Director

Habib Boufares

Slimane Beiji

Hafsia Herzi

Rym

Farida Benkhetache

Karima

Abdelhamid Aktouche

Hamid

Bouraouïa Marzouk

Souad

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The Secret of the Grain

The Secret of the Grain (2007) The Secret of the Grain (2007) The Secret of the Grain (2007) A scene from the film "The Secret of the Grain." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis As the shipyard where a Tunisian immigrant works is winding down, Slimane plans to use his redundancy to open a couscous restaurant, with the main dish cooked by his ex-wife Souad, who is renowned among family and friends for the quality of her food. His daughter Rym supports him, and she uses her wiles to help him, but he must also win over the local businessmen and bureaucrats to raise funds and gain planning permission.
Director
Abdel Kechiche
Producer
Claude Berri
Screenwriter
Abdel Kechiche
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Hirsch Productions, Pathé Renn Productions, France 2 Cinéma
Genre
Drama
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 24, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 23, 2017
Runtime
2h 31m
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