The President's Cake

It tells the story of a girl named Lamia, set in 1990s Iraq when UN sanctions made it difficult to obtain medicine, alleviate poverty, and access basic necessities. Despite this, the President's birthday was celebrated. Schools and government institutions were forced to celebrate the President's birthday by baking cakes, putting up posters, and chanting slogans. This was done to maintain his image and power. The film skillfully portrays the atmosphere of that time with a hard-hitting, gritty, unhinged, emotional, and harrowing depiction. The film is slow-paced, with no significant peaks or low moments. Lamia's struggle to bake the cake, her grandmother's helplessness, and the country's hopelessness, faith, fate, and friendship are the core themes of this film. This film depicts the harsh realities of a dictatorial regime, where pleasing the leader is mandatory. The film's painful ending, with the last clip of the birthday celebration, conveys a sense of injustice and an unsettling experience. The President's Cake portrays an emotional journey of fear and loyalty.