Set in 1990s Iraq during a time of war and severe food shortages, the government orders every school to bake a cake for Saddam Hussein’s birthday. Nine-year-old Lamia tries to avoid being chosen for the task, but she is selected by her teacher. Armed with a shopping list and accompanied by her pet rooster, Lamia sets out across her town in search of the scarce ingredients she needs. As the day unfolds, the pressure grows, and failure could bring serious consequences. In his feature directorial debut, Hasan Hadi crafts a moving story about childhood, resilience, and life under authoritarian rule, set against the wider backdrop of international conflict and political power.

Winner of the Directors’ Fortnight Audience Award and the Camera d’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Reviews

‘There’s a terrific charm and sweetness in this debut from Iraqi film-maker Hasan Hadi.’
★★★★ Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

‘It’s a testament to Nayyef’s ingenuous performance and the mesmerising sense of place that the film is always compelling and sometimes bleakly funny’.
★★★★ Kevin Maher, The Times