No. 22 (2023) THE BLUE CAFTAN (LE BLEU DU CAFTAN; Morocco) March 23rd.

 

Film No. 22 (2023)  March 23rd.  7:30 PM SOMERVILLE Outdoor U.W.A.                       

"No one wants to learn the craft any more, Halim." (Mina rebuffs her husbands claim that their new employee Youssef is keen to master the craft of caftan making).

WINNER : FIPRESCI Prize (Maryam Toyzani); Cannes Film Festival 2022. WINNER : Best Director (Maryam Toyzani) Chicago International Film Festival.

THE BLUE CAFTAN has been deeply affecting for audiences, world wide. The reason? Well, breast cancer has affected people, families and friends who have been close to those who have fought the hard fight, in every corner of our globe. It is a raw theme for those who continue to find this subject matter unbearable. I've been lucky. While I have been exposed, via friendships, it is not as raw, personally. So be warned. THE BLUE CAFTAN is, however, a wonderful film. Some say the best film ever to come out of Morocco. 

Moroccan culture is not something I'm familiar with. My time with THE BLUE CAFTAN gave me some insight into a day to day existence in an Arab world via traditional embroidered caftan tailor Halim (Saleh Bakri),  his wife and business partner Mina (Lubna Azabal) and their newly inducted apprentice, Youseff (Ayoub Missioui). Here is a story weaving desire, love, heart-ache and care of the human kind. These same emotions are  generated  as we follow the meticulousness by which a caftan is crafted. The making of this blue caftan is the control by which director Maryam Touzani (ADAM) threads this rich story together. Her competence in craft (film) matches the stitch making art she depicts so beautifully.

Perhaps the greatest beauty to evolve is the love and care all three players show for one another. While the affection Halim and Youseff develop for one another is of a repressive nature, Mina understands. There is never a bitterness or anger directed towards either. They all work towards a cause; the business, the caftan and then finally the  journey they must embark on to help Mina in her ultimate battle. The cancer that has returned.  

Some films simply take us by the hand and immerse us into a drama that massages our care and empathy "nodes". Each with such a gentle power we stare at the rolling titles knowing we have been nourished. CLOSE and now CAFTAN have provided me with just such nourishment in recent weeks. Thank you Belgium, thank you Morocco.   11GUMS.