The Blue Caftan

Morocco: a master tailor and his business-minded wife attempt to keep their traditional shop running in the face of machine-based competition. At the same time, both face existential crises: her cancer diagnosis, his concealed sexuality. When he takes on a handsome apprentice to help with the workload, the stage is set for a series of crises which work themselves out in unexpected ways. Touzani’s film brilliantly captures both the repressive nature of life in the medina and the everyday joys to be found despite it. Her exploration of the central triangular relationship – aided by uniformly strong, naturalistic performances from all three principals – asserts the enduring power of love.

96% – Rotten Tomatoes

7.7/ 10 – IMDB

“Maryam Touzani’s second feature, which won the Fipresci award at Cannes last year, is an overwhelmingly tender, dignified drama. It offers a powerful vision of love and bravery, suggesting that the two are inseparable.”

“A critical mass of dramatic and psychological details is built up through an impressive marriage of script and performance. “