‘The Blue Caftan’ Director Maryam Touzani to Make Spanish-Language Debut With ‘Calle Malaga’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Rising Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani, whose latest movie “The Blue Caftan” won a flurry of awards and was shortlisted in the Oscar’s international feature race, is set to make her Spanish-language debut with “Calle Malaga.”

Jean-Christophe Simon’s Films Boutique will handle International sales on the project. “Calle Malaga” reteams Touzani and Films Boutique for the third time, having previously collaborated on arthouse hits “Adam” and “The Blue Caftan.”

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A character-driven film written by Touzani, “Calle Malaga” revolves around Maria Angeles, a 74-year old woman who belongs to the Spanish community of Tangier and enjoys the quietness of her life in the colorful Moroccan costal town. When her daughter decides to sell her home, she is forced out against her will. She sets off to reclaim her home and furniture that have been sold to a vintage dealer. Through this encounter, she unexpectedly rediscovers the possibility of love and sensuality.

“Calle Malaga” is produced by Nabil Ayouch’s Les Films du Nouveau Monde in France, Mod Producciones in Spain, One Two Films in Germany and Velvet Film in Belgium.

“We are thrilled to be continuing our great common work with Maryam and the creative team of Les Films du Nouveau Monde,” said Simon.

“Maryam is a visionary filmmaker and she is a one of a kind in the way she depicts her characters and environment in their small details to make their stories universal,” said Simon, who noted that “Calle Malaga” will be a “step-up in Maryam’s carrier.”

“The film is one of the most moving script we read for a while, and it is also a film full of hope showing how it is never too late to challenge your life for freedom and happiness, no matter the age,” the executive continued.

Touzani, who served as a jury member at Cannes last year, made her feature debut with “Adam” and her sophomore outing with “The Blue Caftan.” Both films premiered at Cannes, in the Un Certain Regard section, and went on to represent Morocco in the Oscar race. “The Blue Caftan,” a daring and subtle movie revolving around the love between a closeted man and his wife. The movie broke box office records for a local film in Morocco and sold worldwide.

Touzani is also a co-writer on Ayouch’s latest directorial outing, “Everybody Loves Touda,” an uplifting female-led drama which world premiered at this year’s Cannes.

After producing Touzani’s first two movies that “touched so many hearts,” Ayouch said “Calle Malaga” will “aim to reach a wider international audience.” Ayouch, who forms a real-life power couple with Touzani, praised her for her “powerful approach to storytelling” and “brilliant mise en scene.”

“Calle Malaga” is currently at casting stage and is expected to be delivered in 2025.

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