Rabat – Moroccan filmmaker Nabil Ayouch has represented Moroccan cinema at the 75th Cannes Film Festival with “Le Bleu du Caftan,” a recent movie he co-produced with the Moroccan actor Amine Benjelloun.
This is not the first time the renowned filmmaker represents Morocco in international festivals. Ayouch, who is married to fellow filmmaker Maryam Touzani, have both won several awards for their creative productions.
Touzani’s latest film “Le Bleu du Caftan” features among the line up of this year’s festival, and will be screened on Thursday, May 26, as part of the “Un Certain Regard” category.
The category features several films with unusual styles and non-traditional stories seeking international recognition.
The Moroccan film narrates the story of Halim and Mina, a couple who run a caftan shop in the old medina of Sale.
Halim, however, starts to develop affection toward his new employee, Youssef, but he is aware that he needs to keep his sexuality hidden and suppress his feelings.
Mina’s illness will also shift the balance of the couple’s life. United in their love, each party will help the other to face their fears.
The film features Saleh Bakri, Lubna Azabal, Ayoub Missioui, Mounia Lamkimel, Hamid Zoughi and many other Moroccan actors.
This is the third consecutive time for Ayouch to represent the Moroccan cinema industry at the renowned Cannes Film Festival.
Ayouch and Touzani are best known for the critically acclaimed film “Adam,” which was screened in the “Un Certain Regard” section at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival.
Ayouch’s “Casablanca Beats” became the first Moroccan film shortlisted for the 2022 Oscars, representing Morocco in the “best international film” category.
“Casablanca Beats” was also the first Moroccan feature film to enter the official selection of Cannes last year.
Throughout the film, Ayouch lifts cliches around hip-hop culture and popular misperceptions about music in a country torn between tradition and modernity.
Read Also: Moroccan Maryam Touzani’s Film Featured at Cannes 2022
