In “The President’s Cake,” something as simple as baking is a monumental task, especially for Lamia, a 9-year-old girl living in Iraq during the 1990s. During this time, baking a cake isn’t as straightforward as buying ingredients from a grocery store. 

In the movie, Saddam Hussein is the leader of the corrupt Iraqi government. His choices in power led to many types of problems that ranged from scarcity of resources, mass executions, and immense brutality to the citizens of the country. All the while, he basks in the power he holds over the people he controls. With that power, he even has the entire country be forced into celebrating his birthday with a grand party and cake. 

The movie hurls us into the story a few days before his birthday. We see a massive crowd of people lining up to an oil tanker filled with water. A man screams to the crowd about a free jug of water, a gift from their “great” leader. Lamia and her grandmother are lined up along with the crowd, quickly grabbing their water before stopping at a small local market. She attempts to buy a few small, damaged tomatoes from a vendor, but is shut down by the vendor’s colossal price compared to standard prices. 

This scene, although short, shows the country’s state with few words. During this time, clean water was something worth its weight in gold. It also shows the prices for the lowest class are much higher due to the scarcity of resources, where even damaged items are beyond the common person’s budget. 

Most of the first act follows the main character, Lamia, going about her daily life — completing homework, rowing to and from places near her home, and finally arriving at school late. Her teacher, who also seems to be a soldier, scolds her and rifles through her bag, taking the apple she was gifted earlier that day. 

He takes it for himself, showing the power he believes he holds, if only over small school children. In the background are the children, all lining up to chant about Hussein being their great leader in an almost militaristic fashion that sends chills. 

Then it cuts to the classroom, where the same teacher is yelling at each student to write their names five times to see who would be drawing the mandatory tasks of that week, with this one being particularly special. 

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The following week was Hussein’s birthday, and the children were to celebrate it. The teacher drew names, selecting Lamia would be in charge of baking the cake, and her friend Saeed would be in charge of getting fresh fruit for the entire class. 

I assumed this wasn’t going to be as hard a task as they made it out to be. But the drawing of Lamia and Saeed’s names had practically marked their names for death.

This film shows Iraq in the 1990s in a new light, an almost childlike and innocent way. It’s unique, allowing viewers with oblivious minds to learn about the chaos at the time.  

This was one of the most memorable movies I’ve ever watched with its captivating scenes, beautiful story, where each snippet means something, and sublime set design. Its themes resonated deeply with me, and instilled lessons in me I think I’ll take with me throughout my life. 

“The President’s Cake” does an excellent job of portraying its ideas in an artisanal way, unlike anything I’ve seen before. Effortlessly, something small like a staring contest was turned into an emotional and breathtaking moment. 

Throughout the film, the audience is a witness to serious scenes, taking a step back from Lamia and showing the world through a broader point of view. Posters and statues commemorate Hussein, death and despair litter hospitals, and places where women must give their bodies to men just to survive till the end of the week. “The President’s Cake” brings together a range of elements, elevated by its impactful imagery and themes, shedding light on the state Iraq was in at the time. 

“The President’s Cake” is an amazing movie I personally believe should be seen by many. I hadn’t thought it would be this impactful a film, but I’m delighted to have been wrong.