Moroccan movie “The Blue Caftan” wins International Critics’ Prize in Cannes

The International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci) on Saturday awarded the feature film ‘The Blue Caftan’ by Maryam Touzani the prize for the best film in “Un Certain Regard” selection, a few hours before this year’s Cannes Palme d’Or prize announcement.

This is the first time that Morocco wins this international award in Cannes.

Projected last Thursday in a world premiere in Cannes in the official selection of “Un Certain Regard” alongside 18 other films from around the world, “the Blue Caftan” received a standing ovation after the screening of the movie.

Produced by Nabil Ayouch and Amine Benjelloun, “The Blue Caftan” is a movie about traditions and love.

The film relates the story of Halim and Mina, a couple who run a Caftan store in the Medina of Salé, joined by Youssef, a young apprentice who shares with his Maalem (master teacher) Halim the same sincere passion for sewing.

The film features Lubna Azabal, Saleh Bakri, Ayoub Missioui, Mounia Lamkimel, Hamid Zoughi and many other Moroccan actors.

The first FIPRESCI award ceremony took place in 1946 during the first Cannes Film Festival.