Halim has been married to Mina for a long time, with whom he runs a traditional caftan store in the medina (old town) of Salé, Morocco. The couple has always lived with Halim's secret – his homosexuality – about which he has learned to keep quiet. However, Mina's illness and the arrival of a young apprentice upsets this balance. United in their love, each will help the other face his fears.
El caftán azul, Plavi kaftan, O Caftan Azul, Túnica Turquesa, Das Blau des Kaftans, Το μπλε καφτάνι, 藍袍下的溫柔, ブルーカフタン, Turkusowa suknia, Turkusowy kaftan, O Azul do Cafetã, Голубой кафтан, Den blå kaftanen, 雙手的溫柔, أزرق القفطان, Синій каптан, 더 블루 카프탄, Le bleu du caftan, Modrý kaftan, Το Μπλε Καφτάνι, 蓝色长袍, O Cafetã Azul, הכפתן הכחול, 青いカフタンの仕立て屋, Il caftano blu, El caftà blau, Modri kaftan, Žydrasis kaftanas, A kék kaftán, คาฟตานสีน้ำเงิน
Cannes Film Festival 
Australia Melbourne International Film Festival 
Canada Toronto International Film Festival 
UK BFI London Film Festival Australia Melbourne Queer Film Festival 
Taiwan Golden Horse Fantastic Film Festival 
Ukraine Sunny Bunny LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 
Netherlands14 
USA UK 
Belgium12 Netherlands14 
Morocco 
Spain 
Czechia15+ 
12 
SwedenBtl 
Greece 
LithuaniaN-16 AustraliaM 
Japan 
Denmark15 
Italy 
Israel UK 12 Australia Belgium Canada Czechia Denmark Greece Israel Italy Japan Lithuania Morocco Netherlands Spain Sweden Taiwan UK USA Ukraine
So often in films centred around gay men, especially gay men in a heterosexual marriage, the women are pushed to the side.
In many of these films they are a shown as a hindrance to the “true” love story however The Blue Caftan does away with this notion and instead places Mina at the centre of the narrative.
Halim’s love for her is just as important as his homosexuality and is where much of the film’s emotions lie. Their love, to me, demonstrates how love transcends all notions of logic and boundaries, moulding it into its purest form.
***vague but significant spoilers***
The most beautiful burial robe ever made. The Blue Caftan seems initially to be a study of repressed desire, but it gives way to broader themes about death and life. It is a film about dying, and how that makes every second of living valuable. The film begins with implied pain, as a man loves another yet cannot show it, but the beauty of The Blue Caftan is that it doesn't make this the sole source of the film's sadness. The queer moments, whilst quiet and hidden, are presented with acceptance and love. The characters do not suffer from cruelty. Death is the focus of the second half, but its inevitability allows characters to reconsider their…
it started out with a stitch how did it end up like this
my head is so full of thoughts I can't put down but god once again, maryam touzani is truly The master of intimacy. this film is like the dough scene she did in adam, but in short powerful sparks burning throughout. every touch makes you stop breathing.
A very beautiful, tender, gorgeously shot 40 minute film. Unfortunately it’s two hours long.
I too would fall for that moustache.
This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.
this shit so good it made me write a manifesto. it takes a special kind of movie to make a guy willingly write 6 paragraphs to an audience of like 10…. there’s so much to say but this was truly devastating and i can’t wait for u guys to see it. some long incoherent thoughts below
at a certain point in this movie (when halim tells yusuf about how Mina helped erase his guilt for existing) it went from a good movie to great movie. also mina might be one of my favorite characters. when halim is away from Mina he seems tortured but when he’s caring for her, hes at his happiest
during the scene when the three of…
hands are merely a vessel for transmitting love. beautiful, sad, empathetic
a beautiful and touching movie that offers a rare glimpse into a hidden aspect of Moroccan life and celebrates love in all forms, even when it's not easy or conventional.
feel lightheaded with how many emotions it made me feel at the end.
A story about love in many ways. It tells a story you can feel the beats of coming a mile away with the premise but the depth involved sets it’s above other more lust focused endevors. The focus here is on creativity, enjoying your work and the intimacy within teaching or watching someone do what you love. The love here grows without direct sexual relations but time spent together and a gradual increase in comfort over time.
It’s a beautifully told and crafted story and probably one of the most moving queer stories I’ve seen in awhile. I think it’ll linger with me for a while and I really hope it does.
There are so few wasted sounds (the sounds of the seagulls) and shots, especially as the film unwinds, revealing unsuspecting layers to these characters. Mina, for instance, moves from severe taskmaster to a vibrant, playful lover, who finds her greatest buoyancy at her sickest. Youssef also evolves from muse and pupil, someone Hamil can give his creative ion to, into a fully formed person. Each actor discovers several corners of heartbreak, but it’s Touzani’s exacting craftsmanship, and her interest in her actors’ expressive eyes that tunnels toward a wellspring of spontaneous emotion.
[full review via RogerEbert]
“Don’t be afraid to love.”
There’s a strong feeling of comfort that arises when fear is met with tenderness. To prepare for conflict or even apathy and instead receive a caring gesture can change your entire disposition. The characters in The Blue Caftan are in a difficult position, moving toward a tragic end, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still room for kindness. Even as the circumstance grows more dire, our characters work hard to stay vulnerable and emotionally honest with one another; why make life any harder than it needs to be? It’s a beautiful thing to see someone put their pride aside to do what they truly feel is right for those they love.
Like the hand-sewn caftans…
