CAKE FOR THE PRESIDENT

 Having seen many Iranian films over the years I was rather shocked to hear that The President's Cake is the first Iraqi film to be shown in the Perth Festival. In a Q&A with an Iraqi film maker who now lives in Perth, he seemed somewhat embarrased by aspects of the movie. He insisted that Iraqis weren't like the bad characters we were about to see; that it wasn't a "true" story; that life was too difficult in Iraq to make films just for entertainment. But it was more than entertainment and as is often the case with a good film, it's "truth" lies in its exploration of the human condition. 


Set during Sadam Hussein's regime, in the southern marshlands of Iraq, its the story of a young girl who lives with her grandmother in a reed house above the water. The landscape is amazing and a character in itself. In a time of American sanctions and bombing, she has to find the ingredients to make a cake so her school can celebrate Hussien's birthday. There have been many films where children go adventuring but this one is amongst the best I have seen. The girl, her pet rooster and a childhood friend are caught up with all the shysters in a crumbling culture - the thief, the uncaring cops, the pedophile, the rapist - but there is one kind taxi driver who helps them. The actors, particularly the children, are impressive, the story rich and dark, the ending challenging.

I've read a review by an Iraqi writer who criticises the film for not being accurate about the country in the 1990s but that goes back to the issue of "truth". Does it tell a story about a country stressed and stretched by totalitarinism and the outcome of war? Yes. Does it tell a story about the challenge of poverty? Yes. Does it tell a story about the resilience of children as well as their vulnerability? Yes.

Is it worth watching? Absolutely.

PS On the subject of cake, I finally caught up with the Iranian film My Favourite Cake which is availalbe to watch on SBS On Demand. Another warm, heartfelt story of a woman of my age searching for connection and even love. Check that one out too.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

VALE INDIGO

Image
Today, we sent our companion of nearly 17 years, Indigo, across the rainbox bridge. That's a phrase a friend uses when you have to say goodbye to a pet. With the help of a gentle vet, we put Indigo to sleep.  She's been an indoor cat all her life and apart from a couple of weeks, most of it has been spent within the confines of the Pink House. We knew that it was going to be a risk disrupting the life of a cat who in human terms was in her 80s. She's had more homes in the last couple of months than in her entire life. First there was Glenlyon Rd, then a 4 hour flight to Perth, a short stay in South Fremantle, a longer stay in Loch St and 10 days in the Furbaby Retreat while Susan and I were at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. We were open to the fact that she might not survive the transition and even said so to the vet when we went for her "Fit to Fly" certificate. But it's one thing to say it and another to face up to it. The lovely owner of the Furbaby Retreat ...
Read more

FARWELL TO THE PINK HOUSE

Image
Susan and I decided to say 'goodbye' to 14 Ward Grove, Pascoe Vale South by sharing the moment with friends. Although the house was full of packed boxes, we invited people over to say farewell...and take a momento. We both made bold decisions about art and craft that had been part of our lives for years. For example, I'd had a Gustav Klimt print hanging on various bedroom walls since the 1970s. A tea pot I'd bought from a ceramist in Canberra last century. A Boda vase that I'd been given. There were smaller pieces from ceramic pots to glassware, vases, both antique and modern, knick knacks from all over the world, and even hats. And in contemplating a new home, we needed to leave some space for new acquisitions. This was a clean out where we knew each piece was going to bring pleasure to someone else and so it was much easier to let it go. Debora, Glenda, Jesse, Murray & Loretta Kath, Susan & Julie Gemma, Pam, Dale & David
Read more

THE ROAD TO HELL

Image
The key reason for going to Melbourne this time was to see the musical  Hadestown .  It was created by the singer/songwriter Anais Mitchell in the 2000s but it feels very ‘of the moment’. The Australian production is the original Broadway show recreated by Opera Australia with Australian singers/performers/musicians who are, in my opinion, even more skilled than those I’ve listened to on the Broadway and West End soundtracks. The story is of Orpheus, the musician, and his love Eurydice. It’s a story of gods oppressing mortals. It’s a story of the power of art. It’s a Greek myth  that’s inspired operas and novels, poems and films. My favourite TV series of last year Kaos  also featured this story. Two of my favourite retellings are poems. There’s an exquisite moment of deep hurt in Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem  Orpheus, Eurydice, Hermes . Orpheus travels to the underworld to rescue Eurydice. After using music to soften the heart of the god Hades, he’s allowed to tak...
Read more