My Favourite Cake

This is my one and only review on IMDB.

I went into the cinema reluctantly for this one. Asked by friends to see it just to support our local cinema. I had no expectation and lots of prejudice. I thought this was going to be a Swedish-influenced movie about immigrants.

Instead I got suckerpunched by the sheer depression, the sheer loneliness and the sheer difference in culture this film exudes.

The acting is immensely good. I suspect the actors are more themselves than actually acting. They themselves can relate to the script in very real ways.

The story is the void itself with a glimmer of hope somewhere in the darkness but in the end nothing lasts.

As an Iranian in exile, I watched this film with mixed emotions-laughing throughout but also with a lump in my throat. The film is beautifully crafted, filled with beautiful details that bring the story to life. It offers a powerful portrayal of life in a society where love, joy, and even laughter are suppressed. What makes this film stand out, even more, is its unique focus: for once, the protagonist and the central love story are between two older individuals, a refreshing narrative in cinema.

Even if you're not Iranian, you'll appreciate the universal themes of love, resilience, and the human spirit. It allows viewers to reflect on the quiet but enduring resistance people face in the face of repression, making it a story that resonates beyond cultural boundaries. It evokes both joy and sorrow at the same time.

The adage "it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" is well-known, but what about people who have the courage to fall in love again? For a 70-year-old Iranian widow, it's a desperate attempt to feel alive again, but it's a bold move for anyone. That is the idea behind a sweet Iranian love comedy that is infused with surprising radicalism.

Mahin (played by the charming Lili Farhadpour) spends her days doing the same things: sleeping in till midday, rushing to answer FaceTime calls from her daughter who lives abroad, taking care of her garden, and visiting the less-than-local market from her home on the outskirts of Tehran. Each scene is portrayed as a nicely framed vignette by co-directors Maryam Moqadam and Behtash Sanaeeha, despite the setting's banality.

Keep an eye on it-words cannot help it. In a society where everyone is scrutinised and evaluated, genuine love endures forever, and it's simple to find if you look for it! This charming story serves as a reminder.

The movie had such an innocent vibe, but what it was trying to say really hit hard. Normally, I don't get emotional about old people, but just the fact that the main character was old was enough to make me feel sad. Maybe it's because of the actress's performance too; there was this pure loneliness in her eyes. I found myself really touched by the film.

The cinematography was beautiful too. I really liked the warm tones, the way the house was decorated, and how the garden was lit. Everything just fit so well. The moments between the two main characters, like when they danced and took selfies, were really sweet and tender. The ending hit harder this way, but a part of me still wishes movies like this would be a bit more clear with their message at the end.

It's a fantastic movie! Showcasing a lot of Persian culture, being a very amusing and charming movie, but also hinting to a lot of political topics.

That we are able to watch that movie is a political act by itself which needs its appreciation. But for a movie being made in Iran under this circumstances is incredible. I have never seen that many scenes on the streets of Iran within a movie. Also all of them beautifully shot. Impressive to see what Iranian directors are pulling of. The storyline itself is brilliant as well as the acting. The cinema we were at was full of Iranians laughing and feeling the movie. The atmosphere was magical. If you are in for a wholesome movie with a dramatic twist, go for it. It's an absolut must watch.