Iraqi film The President's Cake wins Audience Award at Cannes Directors' Fortnight
Set in the mid-1990s during Saddam Hussein's rule and the era of sanctions, the film tells the poignant story of Lamia, a nine-year-old girl living in poverty with her grandmother in the southern Iraqi Marshes. She is compelled by her school to provide a cake for the dictator's birthday celebrations, highlighting the immense social and economic pressures faced by ordinary Iraqis.
Filmed in the historic Marshes, 'The President's Cake' draws on Hadi's childhood memories. At Cannes, the director emphasized the resilience of the Marshes, stating The Marshes remained while Saddam is gone.
The Iraqi-Qatari-US co-production has been celebrated for its powerful narrative, offering a window into one of Iraq's most challenging periods. This award signals a vibrant return for Iraqi cinema to the international stage.
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