Film No. 84. MY FAVOURITE CAKE (2024). 19th Dec.

 

Film No. 84  (2024)  December 19th.  11:00 AM  PALACE Raine Sq, Cinema 7, Perth City.

"You all have wives and home cooked meals. I don't. That's why!" (Faramarz explains to occupants of a table nearby why he always buys his lunch. Mahin, sitting quietly nearby, looks on).

NOMINEE: Golden Bear (Maryam Moghadam/Bahtash Sanaeeha) Berlin Film Festival. (2024).

How could it be that a beautiful film depicting heartfelt themes of compassion and loneliness would land the writer/directors in an Iranian gaol? I have no comprehension of such a thing. But it is to happen!

This gentle drama gives us Mahin (Lili Farhadpour) a plump, fresh faced 70 year old widow who craves the company of a like minded male. We meet her on the day she must act on her need. A lonely taxi driver, resigned to his lot, is ripe for the picking. It sounds predatory; it is not. Each scene reveals a new beauty they discover in one another. A woman taking control of her life and encouraging others to do the same, is worthy subject matter. But not in the eyes of the Iranian Morality Police, it would seem.

Writer/Directors Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha knew their film would raise the ire of the Iranian government. How else could they ask the world to gain some understanding of the plight of women in Iran? Take a peek. Then try to figure how this gentle, compassionate film may likely land these intelligent artists in gaol? STAGGERING!!  10GUMS.