Dir. by Maryam Touzani | 2022 | France, Morocco, Belgium, Denmark | 122 Mins | M
The first Australian reviews are in..
Glam Adelaide | 5 Star Review
Christos Tsiolkas | The Saturday Paper Review
WINNER – Fipresci Prize – Un Certain Regard. Cannes Film Festival 2022
WINNER – Grand Jury Prize, Golden Star – Marrakech International Film Festival 2022
WINNER – Grand Jury Prize- International Feature – NewFest LGBTQ+ Film Festival NYC
WINNER – Audience Award – Athens International Film Festival 2022
WINNER – Greek Film Critics Association Award – Athens International Film Festival 2022
WINNER – Best Director | Silver Hugo – Chicago International Film Festival 2022
WINNER – Best Actress – Vallladolid | Mexico | International Film Festival 2022
WINNER – Audience Award – Panorama | Vancouver International Film Festival 2022
WINNER – Best Narrative Feature – Arab Film Festival 2022
Co-funded by the
Creative Europe MEDIA Programme
of the European Union.
IN AUS CINEMAS MAY 18, 2023
IN NZ CINEMAS MAY 4, 2023
VIC
Cinema Nova, Carlton – Previews Friday May 12-14
Classic Cinema, Elsternwick
Lido Cinema, Hawthorn
Cameo Cinema, Belgrave
Pivotonian, Geelong – March 2023
Palace Como, South Yarra
Palace Kino, CBD
Palace, Balwyn
Palace, Brighton Bay
Palace, Westgarth
Palace, Pentridge
ACMI, Melbourne August 25-27
NSW
The Ritz, Randwick
Hayden Orpheum, Cremorne
Palace Verona, Paddington
Palace Central, Chippendale
Palace Norton, Leichardt
Dendy, Newtown
Starcourt Cinema
Cinemax Cinemas
Regent Murwillumbah
QLD
Palace, James St
Dendy, Southport
New Farm Cinemas
SA
Palace Nova, Eastend
Wallis, Mitcham
The Mercury, Adelaide April 18 & 28
ACT
Palace Electric
Dendy, Canberra
TAS
State Cinema, Hobart
Launceston Film Society @ Village Cinema
NT
Deckchair, Darwin
Katherine – Feb 11
Alice Springs – Feb 11
BCC Casuarina – Feb 11
WA
Orana, Albany – March 8
Orana, Geraldton – March 8
Orana, Kalgoorlie – March 8
Luna, Leederville -March 30
A forbidden love triangle in a small Moroccan town.
Mina (Lubna Azabal – Incendies, Paradise Now) and her husband Halim (Saleh Bakri – Costa Brava, Lebanon) run a small business making and selling bespoke caftans in one of Morocco’s oldest medinas. Halim is a master of his trade, and Mina a canny saleswoman, though their wares don’t come cheap and traditional dress is falling out of favour.
Woven with exquisite care, Maryam Touzani’s Cannes Un Certain Regard winning drama reveals a beautiful love triangle in a small Moroccan town (where gay relations are forbidden). Touzani explores a complex marriage with tenderness and grace in a sincere and superbly performed film that unfolds in unexpected and heartening ways.
Official Selection at
Screenwave International Film Festival April 28 & May 4
Mardi Gras Film Festival Feb 18 2023
Adelaide Film Festival Oct 22 & 29, 2022
Brisbane Film Festival Oct 28, 30, Nov 3, 5
Travelling Film Festival (QLD, NT) Nov 2022
Melbourne Queer Film Festival Nov 12, 15, 2022
MIFF August 2022
Sydney Film Festival 2022
Cannes Film Festival 2022
If you only see one film this year, then this is the one
Glam Adelaide
Maryam Touzani’s gorgeously subtle second film, The Blue Caftan, shows the skill and intelligence of a much more experienced director.
The Saturday Paper
This beautifully textured Moroccan drama is superbly acted and emotionally resonant
The Blue Caftan is an elegant, artisanal film
Screen Daily
A film of exquisite sensuality
A work of handcrafted beauty
A stirring love story
A film of overwhelming tenderness — in exchanged glances or tactile moments as fleeting as one hand lightly touching another
The Hollywood Reporter
Anchored by three remarkable performances and a beautiful script that never wastes a line, Maryam Touzani made a film that oozes love from almost every frame.
IndieWire
Sensual and tactile
A hugely touching love story
The Film Verdict
A drama as indulgent and intricately woven as the silky garments themselves.
A subtle love story that works both as a gay awakening piece and a testament to enduring marital love.
Filmuforia