Directed by Maryam Touzani
Starring Saleh Bakri, Lubna Azabal, and Ayoub Missioui

Most films that opt for a more restrained way to tell their story have that freedom of choice. The Blue Caftan, however, is restrained in all departments out of necessity. 

Bespoke caftan store owner Halim (played by Saleh Bakri) uses an outdated yet pure method of tailoring his craft. A craft that he inherited from his father who owned the store he manages with his wife and salesperson, Mina (played by Lubna Azabal). Located in a medina of Salé, Morocco, Halim and Mina are well-behind in their orders and under pressure from demanding clients, yet these external pressures are hardly a bother for Halim compared to the internal ones he’s dealing with. 

The daily presence of a younger and attractive apprentice, Youssef (played by Ayoub Missioui) is quietly and gradually drawing Halim’s inhibited desires and needs. This undeniable attraction is mutually felt by Youssef too. Meanwhile, Halim’s wife is well-aware that there is something in the air and is coming to terms with her own irrevocable fate.

 This gradually paced film does make central elements of the story it is weaving foreseeable from early by adopting a few clichés, yet they never resulted in a loss of interest in the film overall courtesy of where this story is situated (gay relations remain forbidden in Morocco to this day) and in anticipation of just how each of the three main characters lives will eventuate. 

As you would expect from a man who hides his real feelings both at home and from the outside world, Halim is very reserved, and Saleh Bakri plays him to perfection. In fact, each of the three central performances in the film are beautifully nuanced and they elevate too from the time one of them shares another withheld matter being kept close to the chest.

There are two points I must make that I believe would have given The Blue Caftan rainbow-coloured dimension. During one conversation in the film, Halim mentions his father’s sentiments of him. I feel as though there was greater opportunity to explore and elaborate upon the professional and personal impacts this has on Halim now. Furthermore, I wish we could have gained some insight into Halim and Mina’s life before Youssef started working for them and consequently witnessed that part of their evolution as a married couple.

Despite my thoughts there, The Blue Caftan finds and delivers beautiful meaning and is a victorious production given it was Morocco’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 2023 Academy Awards ®.

The Blue Caftan is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from May 18th.

Moviedoc thanks Potential Films for providing a screener link to watch and review this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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