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Tunisia has made relatively few submissions for the international feature Oscar, yet thanks to female helmer Kaouther Ben Hania, the country recently earned a nomination with “The Man Who Sold His Skin” (2020) and a place on the shortlist with “Four Daughters” (2023). This year’s submission, “Take My Breath,” comes from another female director, Nada Mezni Hafaiedh, but did not make the shortlist. The beautifully shot, attractively cast melodrama follows the plight of an intersex person living as a woman until her secret is betrayed. Unfortunately, the well-intentioned screenplay by Hafaiedh and Pascal Jousse piles on such a plethora of social issues that it overwhelms the central storyline.

Shams is a talented 23-year-old seamstress, who is well-liked in her small island community. She lives with and supports her bitter mother Fadilah (Fatma Saidene) and wheelchair-using sister. Her quiet competence and natural beauty grab the attention of hunky engineer-cum-fisherman Habib (former model...