THE BLUE CAFTAN

Maryam Touzani

france morocco belgium denmark 2022 124 min

Halim has been married for many years to Mina, with whom he runs a traditional caftan shop in the medina of Salé, Morocco. The couple has always lived with Halim’s secret, his homosexuality, which he has learned to keep hidden. Mina’s illness and the arrival of a young apprentice, Youssef, upset their fragile balance. United by their love, Halim and Mina help each other confront their fears.

• About the film

  Original title Le Bleu du caftan

  Directed by Maryam Touzani

  Screenplay Maryam Touzani Nabil Ayouch

  Cast Lubna Azabal Saleh Bakri Ayoub Missioui

  Music Kristian Eidnes Andersen

  Cinematography Virginie Surdej

  Editing Nicolas Rumpl

  Production Companies Les Films du Nouveau Monde Ali n Productions Velvet Films Snowglobe

• Festivals & Awards

  Festival de Cannes
  2022 | Un Certain Regard
  FIPRESCI Prize — Un Certain Regard
  Nomination: Queer Palm

  Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
  2022 | Horizons

  Toronto International Film Festival
  2022 | Special Presentations

  Helsinki International Film Festival — Love & Anarchy
  2022 | African Express

  Zurich Film Festival
  2022 | Gala Premieres

  Filmfest Hamburg
  2022 | Kaleidoscope

  BFI London Film Festival
  2022 | Love

  Chicago International Film Festival
  2022 | Official Competition / Women in Cinema / Out-Look
  Silver Hugo — Best Director: Maryam Touzani
  Nomination: Gold Hugo — Best Feature

  Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival
  2022 | Panorama

  Seminci — Valladolid International Film Festival
  2022
  Best Actress — Lubna Azabal
  Nomination: Golden Spike — Best Film

  Tübingen | Stuttgart International French-language Film Festival
  2022 | Focus Afrique

  French Film Festival UK
  2022 | Femmes First

  Festival International du Film de Marrakech
  2022 | Official Competition
  Jury Prize — ex aequo

  NewFest — New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival
  2022
  Grand Jury Prize — International Feature

  Athens International Film Festival
  2022 | International Competition
  Audience Award
  Greek Film Critics Association Award

  Vancouver International Film Festival
  2022 | Panorama
  Audience Award — Panorama

  Arab Film Festival
  2022
  Best Narrative Feature

  Festival international du film de Göteborg
  2023 | International Competition
  Dragon Award — Best International Film

  International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)
  2023 | Limelight

  Festival international du film de Tromsø
  2023 | Competition
  Don Quixote Award

  FESPACO — Festival panafricain du cinéma et de la télévision de Ouagadougou
  2023 | Official Competition
  Best Screenplay

  Hong Kong International Film Festival
  2023 | World Cinema — Global Vision

  Movies That Matter Festival
  2023 | Grand Jury Fiction / Festival Favourites

  Festival international du film de Belgrade
  2023 | Fest Fokus

  Tournai Ramdam Festival
  2023
  Best Fiction Film

  Magritte du Cinéma
  2024
  Best Actress — Lubna Azabal

  Lumière Awards
  2024
  Nomination: Best International Co-Production

  GLAAD Media Awards
  2024
  Nomination: Outstanding Film — Limited Release