<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Moroccan director Maryam Touzani hopes her latest film, shortlisted for an Oscar, will provoke "a healthy, much-needed debate" around LGBTQ rights and challenge taboos in the conservative country.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>"The Blue Caftan" tells the story of Halim and his wife Mina, a couple who make and sell traditional robes in one of Morocco's oldest souks.</div><div><br></div><div>Their relationship is rocked by the arrival of a handsome young apprentice -- and Halim's attraction to him.</div><div><br></div><div>"I hope the film can contribute to nurturing a healthy, much-needed debate" about same-sex relationships, Touzani told AFP in a telephone interview.</div><div><br></div><div>"It pains me to see people living hidden away, in fear, with their love suppressed, denied and judged."</div><div><br></div><div>Touzani's second full-length work was among 15 shortlisted for the International Feature Film category ahead of the Academy Awards, with nominations set to be announced on January 24.</div><div><br></div><div>"It's a huge honour to represent Morocco and to carry the country's colours at this stage of the competition," said Touzani, 42.</div><div><br></div><div>She noted an official committee had chosen her film as the kingdom's Oscar entry -- an unexpected move in a country where consensual same-sex acts are punishable by up to three years' imprisonment.</div><div><br></div><div>Laws in other parts of the Middle East and North Africa can be even stricter.</div><div><br></div><div>"The fact that my film is representing Morocco is a step forward in itself," Touzani said.</div><div><br></div><div>"The symbolism is beautiful and strong -- it shows a desire for openness and dialogue."</div><div><br></div><div>- 'Without passing judgement' -</div><div><br></div><div>"The Blue Caftan" is set in Sale, a picturesque city next to the capital Rabat.</div><div><br></div><div>It features Palestinian Saleh Bakri as Halim, Belgian actor Lubna Azabal as Mina and Moroccan Ayoub Missioui in the role of Youssef, the apprentice.</div><div><br></div><div>Touzani expressed hope that mentalities in her country around LGBTQ issues would change.</div><div><br></div><div>"We often tend to put labels on love stories, but I really wanted to tell them without passing judgement," she said.</div><div><br></div><div>"It's by changing mentalities that laws can evolve. I believe love shouldn't be criminalised."</div><div><br></div><div>The film also delves into the generations-old art of tailoring the caftans traditionally worn by both men and women.</div><div><br></div><div>It "explores the love of a profession, that of the master tailor, which is disappearing", Touzani said.</div><div><br></div><div>"The Blue Caftan" was part of the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes this year, and shared the Jury Prize at November's Marrakech International Film Festival.</div><div><br></div><div>It is the second film representing Morocco to be shortlisted for the Oscars, after "Omar Killed Me" by French-Moroccan director Roschdy Zem.</div><div><br></div><div>The 95th Academy Awards will be held on March 12 in Hollywood. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>