Brolga Theatre, 5 Walker Street, Maryborough, 4650, View Map
All tickets at the doorMRAC Members: $10Non Members: $12
The film is a commentary on life under a dictatorship
Film release date: 2026. Film languages: Iraqi Arabic(English subtitles)
Directed and written by Hasan Hadi, this film premiered at Cannes in 2025 where it won the Audience Award and the Camera d'Or and was also the Iraqi entry in the 98th Academy Awards, making the short list in the Best International Film Division.
Set in 1990s rural Iraq under the regime of Saddam Hussein (after the invasion of Kuwait and imposition of economic sanctions), this film follows the fortunes of a 9- year-old orphan schoolgirl, Lamia, who is selected to bake a cake to celebrate the President's birthday. However, the necessary ingredients are hard to find in the countryside so Lamia, her grandmother, her friend Sayeed and a pet rooster set off for the city to locate flour, sugar and eggs. This quest is based on real-life experiences of the Director and his friends during this brutal period. Along the way the trio encounter many obstacles but ultimately Lamia and Sayeed return victorious and the cake gets baked and approved of.
The film is a commentary on life under a dictatorship and received widespread critical acclaim for the performances of the first time child actors, its direction and cinematography.
5 Walker Street , Maryborough 4650