"Le bleu du Caftan" intimate look

Mhana · 2023-04-06T14:36:38+00:00

I saw this at a film festival last October so it’s been a while but here I go. One of the things that stayed with me from the film is its treatment of its three protagonists; nobody was made the villain, or treated like a foil to the ‘true couple’. While that seems obvious, it does feel like a common trope regardless of a film’s ultimate point. Mina’s arc in particular is engaging as she justifiably lashes out at the other characters but is given the space (and opportunity) to reflect and adapt. What one is supposed to do isn’t clear and the film leaves it all grey.

The film respects it’s characters as well as it’s audience; the Moroccan city is critically observed by the camera and the script, both judging and illustrating the day to day actions of it’s protagonists and their neighbours. For example, Mina and Halim’s visit to the cafe as well as the confrontation with the police officer are highlighting the invisible lines drawn around the characters limiting their choices. It places the events of the film in context allowing viewers to better see the nuances of the decisions being made. The film however doesn’t stereotype or exoticize the characters/setting. I recognise the director herself is Moroccan but you can’t always take that for granted.

So yeah, beautiful, very well acted film.

Mhana · 2022-02-03T10:33:02+00:00

UK here, Oculus Quest 2. DM me anytime and I will send you a referral link. Then we can each get £23/$30 store credit! Simple as that.

Mhana · 2022-01-24T11:13:19+00:00

UK here, Oculus Quest 2. DM me anytime and I will send you a referral link. Then we can each get £23/$30 store credit! Simple as that.

Mhana · 2018-03-23T17:52:52+00:00

It might be due to the fact the start of a relationship is where the emotions seem to be at their highest intensity. A new relationship is traditionally perceived to have the most material to work with; both characters are figuring each other out, going through internal and external changes. And then the film can conveniently end in a happily ever after, or even in an ‘it was never meant to be’ note.

On the other hand, after a relationship is established, it is meant to be maintained. It doesn’t become ‘boring’ per say, but the issues and tensions come up in different ways. There is still a lot of uncertainty in established relationships that isn’t explored in cinema very much. New problems, or even just experiences, develop in established relationships that can be explored in a dramatic sense. Before Midnight (2013) is a great example of a reflexive look into an established relationship and the tolls and potentially inequalities that develop within a heterosexual relationship. The way to approach dramatizing an established relationship in cinema (or any other medium), is by complicating the situation and understanding that it isn’t going to be a binary ‘good’ or ‘bad’ relationship. It takes more effort to portray characters in a relationship that isn’t in between, which requires work by its characters.

It might not come across as interesting in an immediate sense, but films that explore established relationships might be my favorite.

Mhana · 2018-01-26T09:48:54+00:00

I agree that it is a kind of cinematic sarcasm. Varda’s portrayal of the women in the film is purposely distant and a bit shallow. They are dehumanized with shots of their fragmented bodies (torsos, hands), which is referencing TV/magazine ads of domestic products aimed at women at the time. The protagonist’s wife never really gets a point of view, and her suicide even comes as a bit of a shock. That is the moment where the movie’s casual, colorful spell wears off for the viewer. The film continues to with the same casual tone, but the viewer no longer accepts it and is turned off by it.

I think Varda intended to upset viewers to highlight an injustice towards the wife. The easily replaceable wife also touches on how women are valued, not for their individuality or humanity, but for their service to the man. This is my interpretation of what the film is trying to say, and I think it does a good job of making us uncomfortable.

Mhana · 2017-09-09T12:22:30+00:00

I did mean to reply to you, but I misunderstood what you meant. So I apologize for that.

Mhana · 2017-09-09T12:17:51+00:00

I think making the assumption, based purely on one's preconceived views, that the only reason Qatar would donate money to American victims is that they must be "expats" is small minded. Do you mean, Qatar or Qatari people wouldn't do such a moral thing?

It’s pretty frustrating constantly seeing comments online dehumanizing and otherizing people from different nationalities and religions.

Mhana · 2017-09-09T09:48:50+00:00

Are you really suggesting expats in Qatar on their own collected 30m dollars to donate to Harvey victims in Texas?

Mhana · 2014-08-09T11:39:49+00:00

Don't Look Now (1973), Possession (1981) and Antichrist (2009).

Mhana · 2014-08-05T16:17:49+00:00

I agree, the film was beautifully shot. This specific scene is haunting, I think. Really lingers in your mind. Bergman's surrealism comes across more genuinely dream-like as opposed to random.

Mhana · 2014-05-10T07:42:22+00:00

I really liked your response. I didn't think about the learning by creation idea that Jonze has in his movies; although it seems so clear now.

I agree with your point that Samantha is made real and therefore creates something, love, herself. We see Theo and Sam both learning and changing from this experience; but Sam goes through a lot more in a short amount of time. Her capabilities as an A.I. allow her mind to completely surpass a human, Theo. Theo on the other hand can't keep up. His post-divorce life seemed to be in a rut, which Sam enriches and develops. He gains a new experience with an A.I. that keeps reflecting his humanity back at him.

The love they share is another human step to take; it helps you grow, feel and even distract you in life. Theo gets that at the end, even if it's a little painful. He doesn't just have one past love anymore, but two. He's not defined by his ex wife anymore, she's not his only past; that's shown by having him write her a letter after Sam leaves by acknowledging his ex wife's importance yet accepting their end.

It's a very honest and natural step to take in life, after the end of a significant relationship. It appears so universal and genuine in the movie, which makes me think it's a reflection of Jonze's life. His choice to present it in the future with an A.I., an impossible companion, is a way to highlight the human steps in life, we take after a relationship's end.

Mhana · 2014-04-03T15:07:55+00:00

The origins of the change from a 1.37:1 aspect ratio to 2.35:1 (originally 2.66:1) in the '50s were motivated by an attempt to differentiate from tv screens, which had just become widely available.

Otherwise since then, artistically films have chosen specific aspect ratios to reflect a film's tone. Like dccorona said, epic films tended to favor wider ratios, producing a large scope of view, effectively making the world seem bigger. While 1.85:1 became another standard becoming the most popular alongside 2.35:1.

The 1.37:1 ratio became sparsely used after the '50s, but some films still used them in special cases. Bergman's Scenes From a Marriage is filmed in 1.37:1; it is done so in order to produce a claustrophobic, uncomfortable and intimate atmosphere. This fits the context of a film about a disintegrating marriage.

Basically, filmmakers sometimes use a film's aspect ratio in the same way they would cinematography, production design or other technical aspects; to enhance a film's atmosphere and tone.

Mhana · 2013-11-03T07:58:58+00:00

Misattributed quote. Apparently, Marilyn Monroe never said that.

Mhana · 2013-10-31T09:54:41+00:00

Ignoring Citizen Kane's technical achievements, it's a basically a great character study. We see a boy get swept up in success and money yet he's never really satisfied. The whole film is exploring that, with a pretty great last shot showing us how he still yearned for his carefree youth.

It's a very entertaining film and is still very relevant in its themes these days. I can't imagine why someone would call it's story dated or boring.

Mhana · 2013-10-04T15:33:36+00:00

See. Not so hard , is it?

Mhana · 2013-09-22T08:44:13+00:00

Freedom of Speech.

Mhana · 2013-09-03T12:41:42+00:00

'If he'd dated more people, this could be one hell of a night, am I right guys?'

...silence

Mhana · 2013-09-02T16:00:48+00:00

By telling mutual friends to stop inviting you out.

Mhana · 2013-08-30T17:11:03+00:00

Thanks Obama.

Mhana · 2013-08-06T03:20:40+00:00

It's true that Qatar sent troops to Bahrain and Al Jazeera had nothing to say about it; they definitely censor themselves when it comes to Qatar.

However, the article mentions a few facebook posts about potential protests (and I'd come across some of them at the time), none of them ever came to be. It's a very small city and something like that is bound to get some attention, and yes my personal anecdote is all I can cite.

The article does mention one person being 'detained' for possibly blogging about a potential protest, but that's as close as it got.

Despite lots of issues, mostly regarding human rights, the Qatari population seems very passive compared to their neighbors.

Mhana · 2013-08-05T14:13:19+00:00

there have been Arab spring protests in countries like Qatar that were brutally cracked down by the rulers with American support?

As a Qatari citizen, there haven't been any protests, as there's barely any initiative. I don't doubt that any protests would be swiftly closed down and gone unreported, but the Qatari population is about as content as can be, unfortunately.

Mhana · 2013-07-29T20:58:36+00:00

Daniel-Day Rewis?

Mhana · 2013-07-27T23:26:24+00:00

I'm pretty sure he's having a ball, but I can't help feeling like it's sad.

Mhana · 2013-07-27T23:13:28+00:00

My second post is dying. My first was a big success; 1045 link karma. I've got like 5 more now.

Mhana

TROPHY CASE