Levantine Cultural Center Presents

New Voices in Middle Eastern Cinema Series

THE SECRET OF THE GRAIN
A film by Abdellatif Kachiche

What: The Secret of the Grain (2008)
French, Arabic, and Russian with English subtitles. 151 minutes

When: January 21, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Film to be followed by a Q & A discussion and refreshments.

Where: Levantine Cultural Center @
The Goethe-Institut Cinema
5750 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100
Los Angeles CA 90036
(free parking after 6 pm)

Details: Tickets $12 general public/$10 LCC members

MOVIE SYNOPSIS: In this complex and moving portrait of a North African immigrant family in the south of France, aging protagonist Slimane Beiji is a divorced father down on his luck who seeks to change his fortunes by opening his own restaurant, serving his ex-wife's famous fish couscous. The family rallies around him, despite the financial hurdles they must overcome and the racial and class discrimination from local officials.

"The Secret of the Grain" is an extraordinary film from Tunisian-born writer/director Abdellatif Kachiche whose cinematic eye successfully enters into the most intimate parts of his characters in a style akin to Italian Neo-Realist films of the 1940s and 50s. Little wonder the film picked up a César for Best Film and appeared on numerous critics' top ten lists for 2008, including the New York Times' A.O. Scott.

Tickets available at www.levantinecenter.org, by phone at 310.657.5511, or at the door (subject to availablity)

Upcoming Dates for the New Voices in Middle Eastern Cinema Series: Feb. 18th 7:00 p.m. "Captain Abu Raed" from writer/director Amin Matalqa (Jordan, 2008) and continuing the third Thursday of each month throughout 2010

Contact: Sarah Holswade, tel. 310.657.5511 [213.220.2023] Email: sarah-at-levantinecenter.org