THE BLUE CAFTAN

  a medina of a northwestern Moroccan city, Halim and Mina own a small shop that specializes in traditional caftans. Sadly, the art of creating these frequently ceremonial garments is dying, and Halim's shop receives complaints from customers about the time-consuming process of crafting them entirely by hand. When Halim hires a young apprentice named Youssef, he shows a special appreciation for the caftan's components, including braided gold thread. Halim informs Youssef that there are no masters left in this field, and Mina supports her husband's determination to continue crafting caftans in the traditional way.

However, the tension grows between Mina and Youssef as she doubts his genuine interest in learning the craft. She believes he will leave, just like every other apprentice before him. Halim and Youssef share a unique connection, and it becomes clear that their interest in each other goes beyond a professional mentor-mentee relationship. Meanwhile, Mina's health deteriorates, and she's on the verge of collapsing. Halim remains a loyal husband, as Mina erased all of the trauma from his past.

In a society that values self-restraint and conformity, the characters in the movie express their feelings through their actions, such as Halim taking over the cooking when Mina is too sick to work, or Youssef returning to the shop after a brief estrangement. Meanwhile, Halim works tirelessly on a blue caftan commissioned by a fussy customer who doesn’t appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship involved. Each stitch he makes is an act of patience and dedication, resulting in a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Maryam Touzani's film depicts the characters' unruly passions in a society that doesn't encourage self-expression. The tension is palpable, yet the movie doesn't surrender to it. Instead, it focuses on the day-to-day actions that reveal the characters' feelings. For instance, Halim takes over the household cooking when Mina can no longer work, and Youssef reattaches himself to Halim and the shop after a brief estrangement.

Halim's patience is transcendent as he works on a blue caftan commissioned by a fussbudget customer who fails to appreciate the value of handmade garments. Each stitch yields a unique and beautiful item of apparel. In the movie's finale, Halim bestows the title caftan to the only person deserving of such a gift.

This scrupulous, compassionate, and quietly captivating movie is currently playing in theaters.