A trip to the Ka'aba (picture above) is mandatory, at least once in a lifetime for a muslim who has the means to do so. Much so in good luck if the musalman has an opportunity to perform this pilgrimage more than once.
Le Grand Voyage: Réda's father - a devout muslim - embarks on a journey by car from France travelling to Mecca to perform the 'once-in-a-life-time' Hajj. Young Réda is rather apathetic when it comes to religion; he reluctantly joins his father to perform Hajj. From two divergent spheres of the world, Réda is pretty much French, while his father appears very Arab. Inevitably, the two characters see themselves opposed on many matters, on a journey where secularism vs. traditionalism.
As the journey (and the reel) rolls on, the two characters unfold... Réda learns as to why his father chose to travel by car, with added depth as he begins to learn more about his inherent religion. An epiphanic moment for Réda, one that is fuelled further by discovering that his father - being the traditionalist - can speak in French but chooses to speak in Arabic to Réda. The cultural and language discord is emphasised throughout the film to create an accord between the two men.
Initially, it was a simple niyath for Hajj; the two souls, however, were left enlightened on their spiritual route to the great pilgrimage.
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