The Secret of the Grain

The best film in Competition - here in Venice - that I have seen so far comes from the south of France. Tunisian-French director Abdellatif Kechiche( Blame It On Voltaire and Games Of Love And Chance) tells the story of Slimane - a sixty-year-old who suddenly finds himself penniless - and his family.

Although his children are constantly fighting over envy, incomprehension, jealousy, they gather every Sunday to eat mama Saouda’s fish couscous.

Slimane, helped by Rym, a young girl he loves like a daughter, transform a scrap boat into a couscous restaurant. The whole family helps organize the long-awaited opening night, but the  future is unpredictable…

This wonderful film exudes a magical atmosphere of affection and human warmth.
Shot in a remarkably natural and fresh way, it is all the more powerful and realistic.

 Luckily enough, Kechiche does not ask for the audience’s sympathy just because his characters are of North-African origin but has a strong, sincere affection towards them.

As Slimane’s story unfolds, we feel right along with him and the others, hoping for their success, suffering at their disgraces.
 Because -  and this is made clear with every sequence - in this case simplicity is not simple at all. On the contrary, it is a matter of hard work, and Kechiche has worked very hard, using all his talent to give us his beautiful story.
The excellent story is also served by an wonderful script (by the director)
Rym’s strong will and Slimane’s daughters’ optimism and camaraderie drive the action and inspire the other characters.
In the end, Kechiche wants to convey an optimistic message, which is rare for a film set in the lower classes of society: as Nick Cave would put it, “Death is not the end”.
 Slimane might not see his dreams come true, but the chain of events is unstoppable, continued by love, affection and warmth.
No wonder that this film seems now to be the favourite contender for coveted the Golden Lion. 


 

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