Le Bleu du Caftan (The Blue Caftan) is director Maryam Touzani’s (previous film Adam) beautifully poetic drama about the relationship between a closeted Moroccan tailor, Halim, (Saleh Bakri), his dying wife Mina (Lubna Azabal), and their gay male apprentice Youssef (Ayoub Missioui).
Premiering at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Touzani takes her time in introducing us to her characters and the slow pace of life they lead in the medina in Sale, Morocco. Halim is an expert tailor, taught by his father, and specializes in producing beautiful hand-made caftans. The production process is slow and intricate, but business is good, and Halim has more orders than he can cope with. His latest apprentice, Youssef, is keen to learn the craft, and the two men develop a close bond during their long working hours together. Mina notices this and does her best to sabotage the relationship. However, she is very unwell and doesn’t have the energy to maintain this. Halim is torn between his instincts and his deep love for Mina with whom he has been for 25 years. He often seeks solace and relief in Sale’s Hamman’s for steam baths, massages and sex with other men. We follow the three characters as their relationships evolve during the progression of Mina’s illness.
Beautifully shot and lit by cinematographer Virginie Surdej, with excellent, very tender, performances by the three main actors, Touzani’s intimate, authentic film is paced to reflect the slow-burn of the lives and relationships she is exploring. Her film is a great close-up study on the combinations of despondency, laughter, grief and joy life can entail. Highly recommended.
Homosexuality sadly remains illegal in Morocco, with punishments for same-sex activity of up to 5 years hard labor in prison and fines. This is despite the country’s attempt to portray a modern image. There is an organization, Kif Kif, which supports LGBTQ+ Moroccans. https://kifkif.info
P..S. The Blue Caftan will be screened at NEWFEST in NY, OUTSHINE in Fort Lauderdale and the BFI Film Festival in London
Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah
