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The secret of the grain (La graine et le mulet) - Habib Boufares, Hafsia Herzi, Faridah Benkhetache, Abdellatif Kechiche

Threat advisory: Elevated - Significant risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

It takes will, courage and determination to realise a dream, but most of all, it takes family.

Set in the rustic port of Sète, The secret of the grain (La graine et le mulet) follows 61-year-old Slimane Beiji (Habib Boufares), an immigrant whose growing dissatisfaction with the shipyard job he's had for the last 35 years prompts him to open his own restaurant. His dream seems unbelievable but his contagious conviction and persistence work their way into the hearts of his loyal, but dispersed family; the four children from his first marriage, his ex-wife, current girlfriend and her bright, outspoken daughter, Rym (Hafsia Herzi).

A grand film about ordinary people, The secret of the grain (La graine et le mulet) delves into the lives of characters with everyday problems and conflicts who find themselves in a complex situation that represents what's taking place in the world today.

Theatrical propaganda posters

The secret of the grain (La graine et le mulet) theatrical one sheet

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

Film drama France French migrant Arab dream restaurant boat port family belly dance fish

Persons of interest

Mohamed Benabdeslem
Farida Benkhetache
Habib Boufares .... Slimane Beiji
Leila D'Issernio
Cyril Favre
Carole Franck
Hafsia Herzi
Alice Houri
Bruno Lochet
Olivier Loustau
Bouraouïa Marzouk
Gilles Matheron
Sabrina Ouazani
Sami Zitouni
Abdel Kechiche .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

The secret of the grain (La graine et le mulet) official movie site
The secret of the grain (La graine et le mulet) film production notes (.rtf)
The secret of the grain (La graine et le mulet) QuickTime movie trailers
Awards and film festivals:

Australian French Film Festival 2008: Screening

NB: French language dialogue with English language subtitles
Studios and distributors:

Pathé Film * Palace Films

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

The secret of the grain (La graine et le mulet) is a nice little movie about first and second generation immigrants in the new country. It's full of kitchen sink drama but is way too long for your average Australian audience. Because of this you can see the twists coming a kilometre off.

Also, I don't like fish.

The drama, France movie The secret of the grain (La graine et le mulet) is directed by Abdellatif Kechiche and stars Habib Boufares, Hafsia Herzi, Faridah Benkhetache.