Tunisian director Houcem Slouli’s award-winning 15-minute short film Conditional Desire follows Ahmed and Salma (Slim Dhib and Imene Ghazouani) , two young gay adults who, despite residing in a society that values conformity, strive to remain honest with themselves.
Unfortunately, they find that they must grapple with a heart-wrenching psychological burden as they sacrifice their happiness to meet the expectations of others.
Having found one another, they married for convenience – seeking the freedom to pursue their passions while masquerading as a heterosexual couple.
With secret lovers representing their true identities, they navigate emotional challenges, questioning the sacrifices they’re forced to make to preserve their secret.
A stirring short drama, Conditional Desire explores identity, love and the effort it takes to stay true in a deeply restrictive world.
Watch the trailer for Conditional Desire below. The short film is now streaming on Dekkoo.
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