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Drama

The Salt of Tears (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Salt of Tears (2021) movie poster

The Salt of Tears is a 2021 drama directed by Philippe Garrel, starring Logann Antuofermo as Luc, Oulaya Amamra and André Wilms. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $89,465 worldwide. Critics gave it 64% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
64%
worldwide gross
$89.5K
Echo Score
67
Metascore
62
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The Salt of Tears (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Philippe Garrel
Genre
Drama
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Salt of Tears About?

The premise of The Salt of Tears without spoilers.

Luc, a cabinetmaker in Paris, finds his life transformed by a chance meeting with Djemila. This encounter sets him on a journey of self-discovery, prompting him to confront past relationships and explore new possibilities. While pursuing his aspirations at École Boulle, he grapples with love, freedom, and the uncertainties of the future, ultimately leading to a poignant exploration of identity and the complexities of the human heart.

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Cast & crew

The Salt of Tears Cast & Characters

Logann Antuofermo leads the cast as Luc, with Oulaya Amamra as Djemila and André Wilms as Le père de Luc. Directed by Philippe Garrel; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Salt of Tears

· 4 more
From the director

More from Philippe Garrel

More films directed by Philippe Garrel, best-rated first: Lover for a Day, In the Shadow of Women, Regular Lovers and A Burning Hot Summer.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Salt of Tears Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Salt of Tears 64% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

67 /100

The Salt of Tears Echo Score Breakdown

The Salt of Tears presents a measured exploration of romantic entanglements with no-nonsense visual storytelling, yet its tempered pacing and occasionally thin character specificity yield uneven engagement. While several critics praised its deliberate framing and thematic depth, others found the narrative’s emotional stakes underdeveloped and at times inert. The film’s formal confidence contrasts with its modest narrative ambitions. The net impression is of an intellectually intriguing but imperfect work that resonates more on reflection than immediate emotion.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of visual composition and direction, the film demonstrates a disciplined approach with expansive framing and an understated palette that grounds everyday settings in formal elegance. The cinematography has been described as lending a subtle grandeur to otherwise ordinary moments, though some observers noted a lack of textural variety in production design. Overall, the visual presentation offers a consistent, if occasionally restrained, aesthetic coherence.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character depth, performances convey carefully calibrated restraint that illuminates unspoken tensions in romantic dynamics. The interactions feel authentic at moments, with an emphasis on moral undercurrents, yet several accounts pointed to limited behavioral specificity that blunts emotional immediacy. On balance, the character work supports thematic intent but sometimes falls short of fully realizing its potential for deeper resonance.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Plot-wise, the film unfolds with a deliberate slowness that challenges conventional pacing, offering thoughtful thematic meditations rather than dramatic impetus. The narrative structure evokes comparisons to classic character studies, eliciting appreciation for its moral inquiry while also drawing criticism for occasional narrative flatness and uneven engagement. Ultimately, the storytelling proves intriguing for its ideas but uneven in sustaining momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In sensory terms, the film relies on a subdued soundscape and a quietly expressive musical score that underscore its reflective tone. Sound design remains unobtrusive, allowing ambient textures to situate each locale, and the visual style maintains a consistent aesthetic unity. Although some viewers sought greater sonic dynamism, the overall sensory environment effectively complements the film’s contemplative mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Regarding rewatch value, the film’s subtle thematic layers and moral complexity may invite revisitation by viewers interested in nuanced relationship studies. However, the restrained pacing and episodic structure could limit repeat enjoyment for some, given the film’s emphasis on measured reflection over narrative excitement. In the end, the work offers moderate lasting appeal chiefly to those drawn to its understated analytical approach.

Box office

The Salt of Tears Box Office

The Salt of Tears grossed $89,465 worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$89.5K

International
$89.5K
Videos

The Salt of Tears Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

The Salt of Tears (dir by Philippe Garrel) US TRAILER
  • Featurette NYFF58 Intro
Details

The Salt of Tears Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “Соль слёз” and “Соль слез”.

Also known as
  • Соль слёз
  • Соль слез
  • O Sal das Lágrimas
  • 眼泪之盐
  • 눈물의 소금
  • Gözyaşlarının Tuzu
  • 淚水成鹽
  • דמעות של לב שבור
  • Das Salz der Tränen
  • Il sale delle lacrime

Seen The Salt of Tears?

FAQ

The Salt of Tears FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Salt of Tears, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Salt of Tears?

The Salt of Tears runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was The Salt of Tears released?

The Salt of Tears was released on January 20, 2021.

Who directed The Salt of Tears?

The Salt of Tears was directed by Philippe Garrel.

More films by Philippe Garrel

Who is in the cast of The Salt of Tears?

The Salt of Tears stars Logann Antuofermo as Luc, Oulaya Amamra as Djemila and André Wilms as Le père de Luc, among 8 credited actors.

How much did The Salt of Tears make at the box office?

The Salt of Tears grossed $89,465 worldwide.

How is The Salt of Tears rated?

The Salt of Tears has 64% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic, 55% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Salt of Tears have a post-credit scene?

No. The Salt of Tears has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Salt of Tears in?

The original language of The Salt of Tears is French.

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