Hasan Hadi’s ‘The President’s Cake’ has captivated audiences and critics alike, recently earning the coveted Best Narrative Feature award at the 33rd Hamptons International Film Festival. This poignant drama, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, offers a powerful, child’s-eye view into the realities of a dictatorship, cementing its place as an emerging classic in world cinema.
In the evolving landscape of awards season, one film is carving out a significant path for itself: Hasan Hadi’s ‘The President’s Cake.’ This compelling drama recently clinched the Best Narrative Feature award at the 33rd Hamptons International Film Festival, a win that underscores its growing critical acclaim and profound impact on viewers. Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, the film delivers a searing, intimate look at survival under an authoritarian regime, viewed through the innocent eyes of a child.
The Unforgettable Story: A Child’s Perspective on Dictatorship
Set in 1990s Iraq, ‘The President’s Cake’ introduces us to 9-year-old Lamia, played with raw tenderness by Baneen Ahmad Nayyef. The narrative unfolds as Saddam Hussein mandates that every school in the country prepare a celebratory cake for his birthday. Against her wishes, Lamia is chosen for this seemingly simple task. What begins as a whimsical premise quickly reveals itself as a powerful allegory for life under an iron fist.
The film brilliantly portrays the harsh realities of a nation crippled by UN-imposed sanctions following the Gulf War, where basic necessities like water and food are scarce. Lamia’s quest to gather ingredients for the opulent presidential cake highlights the absurd contradictions of a dictatorship demanding lavish celebrations amidst widespread poverty. Director Hasan Hadi, also a screenwriter alongside Eric Roth, brings a deeply personal and brutally honest lens to this story, making the film feel like a poignant reckoning with a painful history.
Hamptons Honors: ‘The President’s Cake’ Wins Best Narrative Feature
The Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF), a prestigious event in the film calendar, celebrated its 33rd edition by awarding ‘The President’s Cake’ its top narrative prize. This significant honor included a $2,500 cash prize and a substantial film production package valued at $92,500. The narrative competition jury lauded the film, stating, “Through the eyes of a young girl torn between tradition and survival, Hasan Hadi’s expansive drama shows us what’s really at stake in a dictatorship led with violence and fear,” as reported by Variety.
Other notable winners at HIFF included David Bim’s ‘To The West, In Zapata’ for Best Documentary Feature and Rein Maychaelson’s ‘Sammi, Who Can Detach His Body Parts’ for Best Narrative Short. The audience awards also recognized compelling narratives, with Joachim Trier’s ‘Sentimental Value’ taking home the prize for narrative features. The success of films like ‘The President’s Cake’ and ‘Sentimental Value’ at such festivals highlights their significant impact within the independent film circuit, with ‘Sentimental Value’ also receiving accolades at other events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival and Jakarta World Cinema, as noted by Variety.
A Journey Beyond Hamptons: Critical Acclaim and Global Recognition
Long before its Hamptons triumph, ‘The President’s Cake’ garnered significant attention, making waves at the Cannes Film Festival where it was featured in 2025 reviews. Critics praised Hadi’s directorial debut for serving “something far more complex than the sweet treat its title suggests.” The film was described as a “haunting, intimate story of a child forced to confront a world far too cruel and political,” ultimately earning a commendable score of 8/10.
The layers of the story, rich with meaning, sorrow, and defiance, build an allegory that resonates deeply. While the film’s pacing occasionally drew minor critique, its emotional impact, poetic vision, and brutal honesty consistently stood out. Its journey of recognition also extends to the Pingyao International Film Festival, where it also secured a top prize, affirming its international appeal and the universal relevance of its themes.
Behind the Scenes: The Talented Team Bringing Iraq’s Story to Life
The success of ‘The President’s Cake’ is a testament to its dedicated cast and crew. Hasan Hadi not only directed but also co-wrote the screenplay. The film’s executive producers include Marielle Heller and Eric Roth, with Leah Chen Baker as producer. The cast, led by the remarkable performance of Baneen Ahmad Nayyef as Lamia, also features Sajad Mohamad Qasem as Saeed and Waheed Thabet Khreibat as Lamia’s grandmother, whose aching sincerity provides the emotional spine of the film. Rahim Alhaj also stars.
Shot on film, the drama boasts a polished yet raw aesthetic, complemented by a score infused with traditional Iraqi oud strings, grounding the narrative in cultural authenticity. With a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes, or 105 minutes, this Arabic-language historical drama from TPC Film production company effectively immerses its audience in a pivotal moment of history.
Why ‘The President’s Cake’ Resonates with Film Enthusiasts
‘The President’s Cake’ is more than just a historical drama; it’s a powerful examination of the human spirit under duress. It explores profound themes such as the unbearable cost of loyalty, a generation robbed of childhoods, and the quiet, stubborn love that endures in spite of unimaginable hardship. Through Lamia’s journey, the film masterfully portrays how dictatorship forces even children to worship what they fear and celebrate what starves them. The nuanced performances, particularly from Baneen Ahmad Nayyef and Waheed Thabet Khreibat, feel almost documentary-like in their realism, drawing viewers into a world of quiet desperation and unconditional affection.
For fans of classic cinema, ‘The President’s Cake’ offers a compelling narrative rich with meaning and a timely commentary on global socio-political issues. Its ability to convey complex ideas through a simple, child-centered narrative positions it as a significant, thought-provoking work that will be discussed and appreciated for years to come.
