On Japan’s lush island of Shikoku lies the heart of indigo blue culture, a century-old tradition on the brink of disappearing. Watanabe and Kato, two indigo dyers at the forefront of this art, embark on an inner journey; one discovering the meaning behind his own shade of blue, the other, gaining new perspectives from his colorblindness. Together, they delve into the art of indigo — harvesting, fermenting and dying leaves to the rhythm of Japan’s four distinct seasons. As their paths intertwine, we follow them on their journey as they uncover the emotional and physical transformations that shape the color of blue.

In her award-winning documentary film “The Shape of Blue”, director Sybilla Patrizia explores the meaning of color for human life through the lens of two Japanese craftsmen, blending documentary filmmaking with artistic expression.

This documentary short film was shown as a limited-time online screening in March 2024.