‘The President’s Cake’ Review: Hasan Hadi’s Warm and Heart-Tugging Tale Sends Dutiful Kids on an Odyssey in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq

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After spending some time at a film festival, you’ll eventually pick up on common themes among the movies. However, the unexpected parallel between Hasan Hadi’s empathetic directorial debut “The President’s Cake” and Fatih Akin’s subdued masterpiece “Amrum” comes as quite a surprise. Both films feature their young heroes embarking on significant journeys to acquire essential items such as flour, sugar, eggs, etc., during times of devastating scarcity under oppressive regimes.

Interestingly enough, given the similarity in plots, it’s not too unexpected that this storyline arises, especially considering the tumultuous and war-ravaged world we live in today where children are often the most affected. In an effort to portray our contemporary realities, filmmakers tend to delve into their personal histories and experiences. This is exactly what Hadi has accomplished with “The President’s Cake,” as he has crafted the character of Lamia (played by Baneen Ahmed Nayyef in a profoundly moving performance), drawing heavily from his own past.

In Hadi’s recollection, the story unfolds in 1990s Iraq, specifically amidst the Mesopotamian marshes of his youth. Here, children navigated marshy waters in canoes to reach their schools, a time when ordinary Iraqis nationwide were struggling with hunger due to U.S. sanctions. Yet, Saddam Hussein, much like Marie Antoinette, persisted in issuing threats if the Iraqis failed to celebrate his April 28 birthday extravagantly, as if such resources were easily available. Each school assembled a group of students for cleaning duties, arranging fruit platters, decorations, and ultimately, baking an elaborately decorated cake.

In a humble town and a simple school where loyalty to Saddam is frequently displayed through group chants, it’s the brave Lamia who carries out the final, sacred (and costly) duty. She resides with her selfless grandmother Bibi (Waheed Thabet Khreibat), never venturing far without her cherished rooster Hindi. Although carrying around a proud rooster might resemble a scene from a fairy tale, nothing about Lamia’s life is as idyllic as a storybook. Her living circumstances aren’t conducive to learning, despite her best efforts to stay on top of her schoolwork. Regrettably, due to her declining health, Bibi can no longer look after Lamia and intends to pass her care onto a well-off local couple.

As I find myself, much like Lamia, inexorably drawn towards my own destiny while concurrently seeking ingredients to bake a unique cake for Saddam, my boisterous teacher had requested an exceptionally rich cream filling. Accompanying me on this journey is my dearest friend and neighbor, Saeed (Sajad Mohamad Qasem), who bears the responsibility of acquiring fresh fruits for the upcoming national festivities. Together, we embark on a two-day adventure to a nearby city with abundant resources.

Our fortunes take an unexpected turn when we find ourselves in the truck of a seemingly benevolent postman (Rahim AlHaj), a character who reappears later. The humor lies in the moment when Lamia, upon realizing his extensive reach in delivering mail across the country, asks him, “Are you Allah?”

Later, we manage to obtain eggs and narrowly avoid trouble at a bakery as I attempt to pilfer flour. Unfortunately, our innocence is exploited by a series of unkind adults who capitalize on our naivety. In one of the most poignant scenes, Lamia parting with her family’s cherished heirloom watch in exchange for counterfeit currency, is truly heartrending.

In essence, “The President’s Cake” has a delightful, whimsical feel, blending humor and tension skillfully. However, Hadi doesn’t shy away from critiquing societal issues, particularly those related to patriarchy. For instance, a scene portrays a heartless grocer trying to exploit a hungry, heavily pregnant woman by offering her expensive food items while attempting to lure her to the backroom. When the woman protests, he callously dismisses her concerns, suggesting that her pregnancy makes it risk-free for him. In another sequence, Lamia manages to evade the clutches of a similarly morally bankrupt individual who posed a threat, using her intelligence and instincts as her weapons.

As a movie reviewer, I found myself deeply moved by Hadi’s captivating film, “The President’s Cake.” Produced by industry veterans like Chris Columbus and Marielle Heller, this cinematic gem seems destined to be a commercial arthouse sensation. The film is richly textured, with its production design skillfully recreating the lived-in atmosphere of its setting – the disorganized bustle of the roads, the grit in the air, and the ubiquitous Saddam-related signage that permeate the landscape.

The narrative unfolds beautifully through the developing friendship between Lamia and Saeed, two characters whose camaraderie is established brilliantly via sharp dialogue exchanges and friendly banter. However, it’s when they momentarily clash, as expected, that the story takes a heart-wrenching turn.

In these emotionally charged scenes, Hadi and his talented cinematographer, Tudor Vladimir Panduru, expertly employ expressive lighting to emphasize the children’s resilience. Close-ups of our young leads – Saeed’s hardened expression that belies his age, and Lamia’s expressive eyes, teetering on the brink of tears – add depth to their performances and draw us even closer into their world.

Overall, “The President’s Cake” is a film that will resonate with audiences, thanks to its authentic portrayal of childhood, its powerful storytelling, and the exceptional work by its cast and crew.

In “The President’s Cake”, it’s the subdued finale that really stands out. The children may find happiness and security in the end, but for Lamia and Saeed, there’s no sugarcoating their uncertain future.

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2025-05-19 08:16