28/08/2026
*The President’s Cake*
The Iraqi film The President’s Cake, written and directed by Hasan Hadi, was screened at Changampuzha Grandhasala as a joint initiative of MFS and Changampuzha Cultural Centre. Set in rural Iraq during the Gulf War, it follows nine-year-old Lamia, who is chosen to bake a cake for Saddam Hussein’s birthday. Through the innocent eyes of a child, the film offers a moving glimpse into the hardships, fear and uncertainties of life in a war-torn country. A truly thought-provoking cinematic experience.
Lamia’s story is not merely the adventure of a nine-year-old girl. It is a powerful metaphor for how deeply a dictatorial regime can pe*****te the everyday lives of ordinary people.Through humanistic perspective, the film can be seen as a powerful portrayal of alienation, authoritarianism, fear, and the struggle for human freedom.
At first glance, the task of making a cake for the President’s birthday appears to be nothing more than a simple school assignment. But the struggle of a poor family to find flour, eggs, and sugar exposes the enormous contrast between the regime’s political celebrations and the harsh reality of people’s lives. The ruler has a birthday to celebrate,the people have a life to struggle for.
Lamia’s journey is ultimately a search for freedom and human connection in a world dominated by fear. The final scene, where the children hide from the bombs while the President’s birthday celebration is shown on TV, creates a deeply disturbing irony.
Therefore, The President’s Cake is not merely a war film. It is the story of a child’s struggle to remain human in the midst of war. Through the seemingly small task of making a cake, the film asks a much larger question, She runs from a world of obedience towards a world of freedom. She is frightened, she cries, and she makes mistakes, yet she continues to question, explore, and search. Thus, Lamia is not merely a child. She becomes a symbol of human freedom and the natural human desire to live.
How long can love and freedom survive in a world ruled by power and fear? Lamia’s small journey ultimately becomes a powerful human declaration against oppression.The film reminds us that behind political power and ideological beliefs are ordinary human beings struggling simply to live, love and remain human.
Written by
Vijayan Manapallil
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