"One of my friends actually got picked for the cake. It was the most difficult item because there was such a scarcity in flour and sugar and all of these food items. He couldn't gather the cake ingredients, got expelled from school and was forced to join Saddam's child soldiers."
"Everything is on the table if she fails, including your life, your livelihood, your parents, your own personal safety. The director says brutal regimes like Saddam's are intentionally ambiguous about exactly what the consequences might be for any particular perceived shortcoming. But one thing is clear: punishment will be swift and brutal."
"It's so intentional to keep all these things ambiguous in order to create such an impactful fear element inside you. Because then you just do it. You don't think about it, you just obey them. You don't try to question them."
Hasan Hadi grew up in 1990s Iraq where children were compelled to prepare gifts for Saddam Hussein's birthday. The most difficult task was baking a cake, which many families couldn't afford due to scarcity and sanctions. When Hadi's friend couldn't gather ingredients, he was expelled and forced into child soldiers. This experience inspired Hadi's debut feature film, The President's Cake, following 9-year-old Lamia as she attempts to bake a cake for the Iraqi leader. The film explores how brutal regimes maintain control through intentional ambiguity about consequences and swift punishment. Lamia embarks on a perilous journey to find eggs, flour, and sugar, accompanied by her rooster and best friend. The young, untrained actors deliver spontaneous and genuine performances.
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