US Edition
Acclaimed Iraqi Film Explores Saddam Hussein's Absurd Birthday Rituals
Director Hasan Hadi draws on his own memories to depict Iraqis forced to bake cakes for Saddam Hussein’s birthday amid 1990s sanctions, highlighting dictatorship’s impact on daily life.
- Launching internationally after festival success, Hasan Hadi's debut film 'The President's Cake' follows Lamia gathering scarce supplies in 1990s Iraq, inspired by his childhood.
- Under crippling UN sanctions, Saddam Hussein's April 28 birthday was marked by parties and decorated Baghdad squares, despite shortages. Hadi said, 'I remember...'.
- Drawing on his childhood, Hasan Hadi, director, used smuggled VHS tapes and recalled a classmate expelled and conscripted, noting, "The randomness and the silliness of something as stupid as failing to bake a cake could change your destiny and fate forever," Hadi said.
- Critics at Hollywood Reporter and Variety praised the film as a "tragicomic gem" and "a compassionate and winsome debut," while American producer Chris Columbus signed on as executive producer, boosting hopes amid Iraqi cinemas' struggle with only around 40 remaining.
- Hadi says the film aims to remind his country about Saddam's rule "that hasn't been explored enough" and hopes "people will be more receptive to Iraqi films in coming years," highlighting dictatorship's human cost.
53 Articles
53 Articles
A film from Iraq enchanted the audience in Cannes and the critics around the world. The tragicomedy »A cake for the president« is about a girl, his grandmother and magical places in difficult times.
Saddam’s ‘absurd’ birthday rituals explored in film
For Iraqis who lived through the 1990s, dictator Saddam Hussein’s birthday on April 28 was a disorientating day of celebration and propaganda.Parties were staged across the sanctions-hit country to mark the occasion, while many public squares and bridges around Baghdad were decorated with coloured lights.In schools, children would be tasked with baking cakes for ‘Mr...
Iraqi director Hasan Hadi signs an adventure story set in the 1990s that is a milestone for his country. The film won the premium opera award at the Cannes Festival
Award-winning film on Saddam Hussein gains worldwide release
For Iraqis who lived through the 1990s, dictator Saddam Hussein's birthday on April 28 was a disorientating day of celebration and propaganda. Parties were staged across the sanctions-hit country to mark the occasion, while many public squares and bridges around Baghdad were decorated with coloured lights. State radio played endless songs to the glory of the ruthless national leader and callers were asked to recount improvised poems in his honou…
With »A cake for the president« director Hasan Hadi processes his childhood in the southern Iraq of the 90s. Life under the economic embargo is never the subject of cinema – the whole country is now happy about it.
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