As a cinephile who has traveled the globe, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing countless tales woven into the fabric of cinema. However, few have left me as deeply moved and emotionally satisfied as “My Favourite Cake.” This quiet masterpiece, hailing from the heart of Iran, serves up a delectable slice of life that resonates with the bittersweet taste of late middle-age romance.
In the peaceful yet subtly rebellious Iranian movie titled “My Favourite Cake“, Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha provide a delightful glimpse into everyday life, flavored with the bittersweet nuances of late middle-age romance.
70-year-old Mahin (Lily Farhadpour, excellent) resides in a solitary existence within Tehran. Her spouse is no more. Her daughter and granddaughters have moved overseas, leaving only occasional FaceTime conversations. The regular gatherings with friends that once occurred weekly have dwindled to yearly events, transforming from lively gossip sessions into serious discussions about health issues like bowel polyps.
One day, I found myself yearning for more than just existing, so I decided to truly live. I noticed the septuagenarian taxi driver, Faramaz (Esmaeel Mehrabi), and with all my courage, I embarked on an adventure. I charmed him and invited him over to my place for a night filled with music, dance, and an abundance of wine. A lot more wine than usual.
The Iranian government disapproved of the portrayal of wine consumption and numerous hijab-less scenes featuring Mahin, finding fault with these aspects. In response, they threatened to take legal action. Consequently, Moghadam and Sanaeeha’s passports were seized, preventing them from attending the film’s world premiere in Berlin. Instead, a cardboard cutout of the two directors was displayed at the press conference. Eventually, My Favourite Cake received the Fipresci prize from the international film critics’ association for the best film in the competition.
This movie, which counters authoritarian violence by embracing life, has been successful in over two dozen countries and has unexpectedly thrived in the U.K., earning Curzon over $250,000. In Germany and Austria, it has attracted over 100,000 viewers for Alamode, and in Sweden, Triart reported more than 40,000 admissions. However, it hasn’t found a distribution deal in the U.S., which needs to happen soon.
International sales for My Favourite Cake are being handled by Totem Films.
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2024-11-06 22:25