“The Blue Caftan” Movie Review

 

“The Blue Caftan”

Movie Review

 

The Blue Caftan, a film written and directed by Maryam Touzani, is about two people who have lived together and are more familiar with one another’s secrets than most. They are more than just each other's confidantes for the couple at the core of the movie; they genuinely see one another and show them sympathy, support, and kindness. The subtle storyline of a couple's love story and history is expertly woven together in The Blue Caftan in a sophisticated, calming, and deep way.

 

Halim, played by Saleh Bakri, and Mina, played by Lubna Azabal, run a caftan shop together. Halim does the sewing, while Mina deals with the customers. The couple's shop has been struggling; Halim prefers to make the caftans by hand, but without proper help, he can only work on so many and customers become impatient, threatening to take their business elsewhere. Youssef, played by Ayoub Missioui, is hired as an apprentice by Halim and Mina, but his bond with Halim is strong, and Mina notices it.

 

Touzani crafts a meaningful story that delves into the depths of love between two people through thick and thin. The characters are treated with dignity and care by the director. The plot itself takes some interesting and unusual turns. The film excels at defying expectations by taking unexpected and refreshing turns that enhance the character dynamics and keeps the audience engaged. It focuses on a topic that is rarely discussed, but its treatment of the story is nuanced and rooted in warmhearted understanding.

The cinematographer Virginie Surdej enhances director Touzani's meticulous attention to detail with extended close-ups of Halim's hands as he embroiders a caftan with gold thread or of Mina as she consciously observes Halim and Youssef interacting. The Blue Caftan tells the tale of enduring love. Mina and Halim are depicted in the film as existing both inside and outside of Moroccan society, with only each other. They talk to clients and acquaintances, but they are each in their own world, looking after each other and relying on the other to save them if they fall.

The most exquisite moments can be found in their loving caregiving, craving for sneak glances, and pregnant silences. By the time it's done, it's evident they have never kept anything from one another since it alludes to their common past. The director painstakingly documents Halim and Mina's days, spotting the warmth, comfort, and stability in their relationship that opens the door for insights into why they are still together despite everything after all this time. It is this startling transparency that elevates the story.

 

Saleh Bakri and Lubna Azabal's performances make The Blue Caftan even more heartbreaking. Bakri has a long history of giving excellent performances, and his portrayal of Halim is no exception. He and Azabal give their characters a casual fondness that is immediately recognizable. Although Azabal's Mina appears harsh, her love is deep, and her wise eyes convey so much to the viewer. Halim in Bakri's portrayal is distressed and frequently repressed, his mannerisms conveying a wide range of intense emotions. When Halim relaxes his guard around Youssef, Bakri performs at his finest, while expressing a tremendous sense of need and remorse. Comparatively speaking, Ayoub Missioui's function is significantly smaller, yet it's still crucial. The actor is sympathetic and exudes emotional fortitude and tenderness as Youssef.

Although the movie takes its time getting going, the payoff and the emotion that comes with it make up for it. The director gradually peels back the layers of Halim and Mina's marriage to expose the emotional beauty it holds, much like Halim's meticulously crafted caftans, where the story finds its greatest significance. The Blue Caftan is moving because it portrays a different sort of love—one that values respect, sincere devotion, and compassion—while also addressing a not-so-secret issue between them without inciting unnecessary conflict. Touzani's direction is lovely and focused, full of emotion and a respect for companionship.

WATCH THE REVIEW VIDEO FOR MORE...