An intense and moving masterpiece
Mina and Halim have been married for many years. Together, they run a caftan shop in an old Medina in Morocco. Halim works in the traditional way, hand-embroidering dresses with detailed, exquisite patterns. As he starts to slow up in his work, they decide to take on an apprentice, Youssef, who has the skills, and is keen to learn the trade. Gradually the relationship between the two men develops into something more. Meanwhile a customer clamours for the blue caftan she ordered weeks ago, and Mina becomes weaker with the cancer which has wracked her for some time.
Director and writer Maryam Touzani has crafted in The Blue Caftan, a film of intense intimacy, which evolves into a work of universality.
Belgian actor Lubna Azabal, Israel’s Saleh Bakri, and new face Ayoub Missioui, star as Mina, Halim, and Youssef respectively. Touzani has pulled together an almost perfect trio to embody her characters. This chamber-piece is all about the leads, with the only minor parts being shop customers, and Mina’s doctor. Watching these three work together is a masterclass in underplayed, powerful, acting. There is palpable magic on the screen.
The screenplay by Touzani and Nabil Ayouch gives the actors just enough words, and plenty of space. Mostly set in the little shop in the Medina, and in Mina and Halim’s apartment, The Blue Caftan could have felt like a play. It very much establishes itself as film in the use of extreme close-ups, both of characters, and of the eponymous caftan as it is embroidered by Halim and Youssef. There is also lush art direction which focuses on the vital minutiae of the shop, and the characters’ everyday lives.
This is a love story. A narrative which explores the authentic depths of love in many different guises. Halim knows that a truly beautiful caftan takes time and patience, and sometimes a little unpicking. So too does true love. And as with a bespoke garment, love is not one-size-fits-all.
There is no question why The Blue Caftan was Morocco’s official submission for the International Feature Film category of the 2023 Academy Awards.
If you only see one film this year, then this is the one.
The Blue Caftan opens in Australia on May 18th.
More News
