NZIFF: The President’s Cake (1)

A young girl scrambles to prepare a high-stakes birthday cake for a dictator amidst the dangers and deprivations of the Gulf War in this irresistibly scrappy Caméra d'Or-winner from Iraq.

Nine-year-old Lamia (Banin Ahmad Nayef in a spectacular debut) lives with her grandmother Bibi and beloved rooster Hindi in the impoverished but tranquil Iraqi Marshes. Despite barely being able to feed themselves due to crippling food shortages caused by international sanctions, the family is randomly selected to prepare a cake as part of the forced national spectacle observing Saddam Hussein’s birthday.

From bucolic wetlands to bustling city streets, Lamia embarks on an ingredient-hunting odyssey that mixes equal parts sweet absurdity and bitter reality. Bartering with hawkers, dodging authorities, and begging the kindness of strangers, the young girl encounters the full gamut of humanity, from good to grotesque, as she approaches her ludicrous mission with innocent determination.

Director Hasan Hadi deftly evokes humour and open heartedness against a bleak background of oppression and war. Cinematographer Tudor Vladimir Panduru summons rich texture from the gorgeous locations, beautifully backed by a flowing soundtrack of traditional strings. Reflecting the harsh realities of life under Saddam, the film is an energetic balance of earnest hope and grim acceptance – a delicious cinematic instance of having your cake and eating it too. — Adrian Hatwell

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