The Regal Cinema's monthly World Cinema series presents Iraqi film The President's Cake.
From debut Iraqi director Hasan Hadi, The President’s Cake is a beautiful tale of love, friendship and resilience told from the perspective of a child growing up under Saddam Hussein’s oppressive regime.
While people across 1990s Iraq struggle to survive the war and food shortages, Saddam Hussein requires each school in the country to prepare a cake to celebrate his birthday. Despite her efforts to avoid getting picked, 9-year-old Lamia is chosen among her classmates. The young girl must now use her wits and imagination to gather ingredients for the mandatory cake or face the consequences.
The President's Cake was the first Iraqi film to feature at the Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered in the Directors' Fortnight and won both the section's Audience Award, as well as the festival's prestigious Camera d'Or.
"There’s a terrific charm and sweetness in this debut from Iraqi film-maker Hasan Hadi"
The Guardian ★★★★
"It’s a testament to Nayyef’s ingenuous performance and the mesmerising sense of place that the film is always compelling"
The Times ★★★★
Shown in Arabic with English subtitles.
