February 27, 2026
FILM: THE PRESIDENT’S CAKE
DIRECTED BY: HASAN HADI
STARRING: BANEEN AHMAD NAYYEF, WAHEED THABET KHREIBAT, SAJAD MOHAMAD QASEM
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
It is April,1990. The setting is Iraq. For those of us that were around at the time, it’s hard not to forget the war with Iraq that began that year under our President George Bush Sr. While short-lived, it led to Americans bombing the country which was under the leadership of their president, Saddam Hussein. Like other dictators, the focus was all on him while the country was suffering under sanctions and a scarcity of resources, especially food. Yet, this didn’t stop Hussein from insisting that everyone in the country needed to celebrate his birthday. In the film, The President’s Cake, a nine-year-old girl, Lamia, is randomly chosen in her classroom to bake Hussein’s cake. Considered an honor by some who have pledged their allegiance to the dictator, Lamia is poor and living with her diabetic grandmother, “Bibi,” in a bamboo hut along a river. Will she be able to do it? This becomes Lamia’s quest along with her friend Saeed.
I’ve seen a lot of films from the region, mostly Iranian, which feature young children embarking on journeys that test their endurance and commitment. These include The White Balloon, Where is the Friend’s House? and Children of Heaven. I consider all these works classics which are very moving and surprisingly thrilling to watch. Given that The President’s Cake is yet another such story but from nearby Iraq, it has a different tone which is reflective of a culture at its own significant point in its history. As such, the film is a bit colder as are most of the characters. There is little nonsense here given the social and political circumstances.
Most noteworthy is the depiction of Lamia’s home life with Bibi. We don’t know what has happened to her parents but clearly, they are struggling. To get to school, Lamia must take a canoe down the river where she is scolded for arriving late. In the classroom, the strict teacher has students paying special allegiance to Hussein. The drawing to bake the cake comes with a warning not to fail or their lives will be ruined.
Lamia, with her pet rooster Hindi in a sack, and Saeed head off on their quest to get the necessary ingredients for the cake: sugar, flour, baking powder, and eggs. These items are scarce, but they will do anything to attain them. Both children are determined and resourceful. Saeed, in particular, has a knack for stealing items he wants to trade for the goods. Most of the townspeople are not very helpful or friendly though. The one man who offers the most help for Lamia has ulterior motives.
It's a sad situation all around. It is clear people are not happy, calling everything a “mess” or “disaster.” However, Hussein’s photos are on walls everywhere and the birthday celebration is to begin regardless. It’s an interesting portrait of a people so brainwashed by their government that even in dire times they still honor their leader. (Hmm… does some of this still have resonance today in other countries…?)
The film is very well-directed by Hasan Hadi who has a lot of physical ground to cover in the city and in the more rural settings. He does a great job of establishing the former’s tight surroundings filled with people struggling to survive by selling goods and services that few can really afford.
The President’s Cake ends with footage from Hussein’s actual birthday celebration that year with its giant cake while those like Lamia and Saeed are far away dodging threats that become more severe than ever. It’s a sobering and disturbing finish but one that doesn’t attempt to sugar coat the ruthless power and selfishness found under a dictatorship.
The film is now playing in limited theatrical release.
FILM: THE PRESIDENT’S CAKE
DIRECTED BY: HASAN HADI
STARRING: BANEEN AHMAD NAYYEF, WAHEED THABET KHREIBAT, SAJAD MOHAMAD QASEM
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
It is April,1990. The setting is Iraq. For those of us that were around at the time, it’s hard not to forget the war with Iraq that began that year under our President George Bush Sr. While short-lived, it led to Americans bombing the country which was under the leadership of their president, Saddam Hussein. Like other dictators, the focus was all on him while the country was suffering under sanctions and a scarcity of resources, especially food. Yet, this didn’t stop Hussein from insisting that everyone in the country needed to celebrate his birthday. In the film, The President’s Cake, a nine-year-old girl, Lamia, is randomly chosen in her classroom to bake Hussein’s cake. Considered an honor by some who have pledged their allegiance to the dictator, Lamia is poor and living with her diabetic grandmother, “Bibi,” in a bamboo hut along a river. Will she be able to do it? This becomes Lamia’s quest along with her friend Saeed.
I’ve seen a lot of films from the region, mostly Iranian, which feature young children embarking on journeys that test their endurance and commitment. These include The White Balloon, Where is the Friend’s House? and Children of Heaven. I consider all these works classics which are very moving and surprisingly thrilling to watch. Given that The President’s Cake is yet another such story but from nearby Iraq, it has a different tone which is reflective of a culture at its own significant point in its history. As such, the film is a bit colder as are most of the characters. There is little nonsense here given the social and political circumstances.
Most noteworthy is the depiction of Lamia’s home life with Bibi. We don’t know what has happened to her parents but clearly, they are struggling. To get to school, Lamia must take a canoe down the river where she is scolded for arriving late. In the classroom, the strict teacher has students paying special allegiance to Hussein. The drawing to bake the cake comes with a warning not to fail or their lives will be ruined.
Lamia, with her pet rooster Hindi in a sack, and Saeed head off on their quest to get the necessary ingredients for the cake: sugar, flour, baking powder, and eggs. These items are scarce, but they will do anything to attain them. Both children are determined and resourceful. Saeed, in particular, has a knack for stealing items he wants to trade for the goods. Most of the townspeople are not very helpful or friendly though. The one man who offers the most help for Lamia has ulterior motives.
It's a sad situation all around. It is clear people are not happy, calling everything a “mess” or “disaster.” However, Hussein’s photos are on walls everywhere and the birthday celebration is to begin regardless. It’s an interesting portrait of a people so brainwashed by their government that even in dire times they still honor their leader. (Hmm… does some of this still have resonance today in other countries…?)
The film is very well-directed by Hasan Hadi who has a lot of physical ground to cover in the city and in the more rural settings. He does a great job of establishing the former’s tight surroundings filled with people struggling to survive by selling goods and services that few can really afford.
The President’s Cake ends with footage from Hussein’s actual birthday celebration that year with its giant cake while those like Lamia and Saeed are far away dodging threats that become more severe than ever. It’s a sobering and disturbing finish but one that doesn’t attempt to sugar coat the ruthless power and selfishness found under a dictatorship.
The film is now playing in limited theatrical release.