"The President's Cake": Hasan Hadi's Debut Film

Iraqi filmmaker Hasan Hadi's debut feature film, "The President's Cake," is set to be released. The film draws inspiration from Hadi's childhood experiences in Iraq during the United Nations Security Council sanctions following Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

Film Inspiration and Context

During the sanctions, Iraq faced severe scarcity of essential goods like food, medications, clothes, and school supplies. Corruption was widespread, and children were often compelled to bring gifts to school to honor Hussein, with failure risking brutal responses. Hadi himself recalls fetching flowers for Hussein's birthday.

These personal experiences of poverty and hardship form the core inspiration for the film.

Plot and Themes

"The President's Cake" follows two penniless schoolmates, Lamia and Saeed, who are assigned to bake a cake for Saddam Hussein. Lamia, an orphan living with her gran, slips away after her care is transferred and recruits her best friend, Saeed, to help gather the scarce ingredients. Their journey involves encounters with various adults, reflecting the impact of sanctions on human behavior and society.

Hadi states the film aims to illustrate how sanctions affect people and alter human nature, showing the lines individuals cross for survival.

Despite the harsh realities depicted, the film incorporates comic elements, which Hadi considers vital for survival in challenging environments.

Production and Reception

Baneen Ahmad Nayyef and Sajad Mohamad Qasem play Lamia and Saeed, respectively, in their screen debuts. The film was largely shot on location in Iraq, including the Mesopotamian marshes, despite challenges such as shooting a period piece on water with a tight budget and governmental scrutiny.

Hadi's goal was to immerse the audience in Iraq's atmosphere through visuals and sound. He also intended for the child's-eye view to convey the complexities of the aftermath of Hussein's overthrow.

The film has received critical acclaim, winning the Cannes Film Festival award for Best First Feature.

While scheduled for release in cinemas from April 2, its Iraqi release has been postponed due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Hadi hopes for the growth of the local film industry in Iraq, noting that cinema was a vital window to other cultures during his childhood.