The Secret of the Grain (2007)

In the weather-worn port town of Sète, we find Mr. Slimani, a weary 60-year-old, doggedly clinging to the harsh realities of a shipyard job that grows increasingly arduous with each passing year. As a divorced father, he strains to maintain a connection to his family, a task made all the more complex by the easily ignited squabbles and financial strains that hover like storm clouds. Slimani finds himself in a fragile stage of life where everything around him echoes his own sense of inadequacy and failure. Yet, within Slimani's heart, a dream takes root. A dream to break free from his monotonous life and establish his own restaurant—a sanctuary where he could serve his love for food. But with his paltry, sporadic earnings, this dream seems more like a distant star, unreachable and implausible. Regardless, Slimani nurtures it, sharing his vision with his family, who slowly rally behind his aspiration that promises a bridge to a more prosperous life. With resourcefulness and relentless hard work, he navigates the choppy seas of his ambition. The dream that once seemed far-fetched gradually materializes on the horizon of reality, offering a tantalizing glimpse of a life reborn...or nearly so...

The Secret of the Grain is a drama movie featuring Habib Boufares and directed by Abdellatif Kechiche.

The Secret of the Grain is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, Plex and Plex Player.

It is also possible to buy The Secret of the Grain on Amazon Video.