Films at the Goods Shed presented by Tetbury Film Society - The President's Cake
Tetbury Goods Shed Arts Centre, Tetbury, GL8 8EY
Wednesday 11th November 2026 7:00PM
The President's Cake (12A) - Running Time: 106 minutes
Original title: Mamlaket al-qasab
Arabic, Drama
Oscar nominated, this engrossing debut film is about a young girl in 1990s Iraq who is faced with the challenge of baking a cake for her school's celebration of Saddam Hossein's birthday. Although considered a great honour, nine year old Lamia's task feels impossible, as she and her grandmother struggle to get by.
It's "draw day" across Iraq, when schools select students for the honour of bringing items to their mandatory local celebrations of President Saddam Hussein's birthday. Nine-year-old Lamia lives in the historic marshes with her spirited grandmother, Bibi. Before school, Bibi teaches Lamia clever tricks to avoid being chosen for the president's cake. However, when Musa, the authoritative teacher, calls Lamia's name for the most challenging task--the birthday cake--she has no choice but to accept. Refusing could mean imprisonment or even death.
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Original title: Mamlaket al-qasab
Arabic, Drama
Oscar nominated, this engrossing debut film is about a young girl in 1990s Iraq who is faced with the challenge of baking a cake for her school's celebration of Saddam Hossein's birthday. Although considered a great honour, nine year old Lamia's task feels impossible, as she and her grandmother struggle to get by.
It's "draw day" across Iraq, when schools select students for the honour of bringing items to their mandatory local celebrations of President Saddam Hussein's birthday. Nine-year-old Lamia lives in the historic marshes with her spirited grandmother, Bibi. Before school, Bibi teaches Lamia clever tricks to avoid being chosen for the president's cake. However, when Musa, the authoritative teacher, calls Lamia's name for the most challenging task--the birthday cake--she has no choice but to accept. Refusing could mean imprisonment or even death.
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Event Details
Doors Open at 6:15PM
Starts at 7:00PM
