About

A husband and wife run a small, traditional shop selling beautiful, handmade caftans in one of Morocco's oldest medinas. She turns a blind eye to his repressed homosexuality but complications arise when a strong, mutual attraction develops between him and the shop's new young apprentice.

The Blue Caftan is not a film about being gay in Morocco - although that is illegal and punishable with 3 year's imprisonment; it is a film about love and understanding. All three of the main protagonists are deeply sympathetic characters and although the husband and wife are sexually incompatible, there is an extremely deep and powerful bond between them. 

The result is a tender, compassionate and understated drama with outstanding performances, particularly from Lubna Azabal, who plays the wife, Mina. The husband, Halim, is played by Saleh Bakri, who starred in two earlier RFS screenings, The Band's Visit and Wajib, in Seasons 47 and 57 respectively.

The film was a big hit on the festival circuit, garnered numerous awards (including three at Cannes) and, as Morocco's entry, was shortlisted for the 2023 Best International Feature Film Oscar.

Non-member tickets are £5 (full-time students £3) and can be purchased in advance from The Exchange's Box Office online at http://exchangetwickenham.co.uk/events, by telephone 020 8240 2399 or in person.

For further information on RFS and the programme of films, please visit
http://www.richmondfilmsoc.org.uk