"My Favorite Cake" Named Second Best Film of the Year by Guardian Critics

The film "My Favorite Cake" co-directed by Behtash Sanaeiha and Maryam Moghaddam has been named the second best film of 2024 in the UK by critics of The Guardian. This film portrays a romantic story set in old age and under the repression of the theocratic government ruling Iran. Starring Leili Farahani and Ismail Moharabi, it depicts a woman who, while standing against the "Guidance Patrol," recalls the freedoms of the pre-Islamic Republic era. Some scenes in the film, such as dancing, the absence of mandatory hijab, and resistance against the religious tyranny of the Iranian government, have angered government officials and led to security pressures on the creators of "My Favorite Cake" and their travel bans. Peter Bradshaw, a prominent critic at The Guardian, stated that this film is "powerful and important" as it reflects real tragedies in Iran, such as the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini and ongoing protests. Bradshaw praised the film's human essence and "silent power," noting that "My Favorite Cake" bravely critiques mediocrity and repression while portraying "resistance" and "humanity." Produced by Gholamreza Mousavi, the film has been screened at 53 international festivals and has won 16 international awards, including the International Critics' Federation (FIPRESCI) award from the Berlin Festival, the Silver Hugo from the Chicago Festival, Best Film at the Calgary Festival in Canada, and Best Film at the Cabourg Festival in France. According to Behtash Sanaeiha, the film has successfully been publicly screened in countries such as Germany, the UK, Sweden, Australia, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Denmark, New Zealand, Poland, Taiwan, and Turkey, and will soon be screened in countries like France, Spain, Italy, Norway, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, and others. Sanaeiha and Moghaddam's previous film, "The White Cow's Ode," received prestigious awards from film festivals including Berlinale and Zurich. However, the Islamic Republic accused this director of "propaganda against the regime and actions against national security." The two directors were ultimately acquitted of these charges, but the screening of "The White Cow's Ode" in Iran remains banned.