My Favourite Cake: Romance In The Backdrop Of Fear and Oppression

My Favourite Cake is a cinematic rarity, an outstanding Iranian drama that lovers of world cinema should not miss.

The story is simplistic and offers an insight into the oppression that women experience in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Mahin is a 70-year-old woman who lives alone and sleeps until midday. Her husband died 30 years earlier in a car crash and she never remarried, as it was deemed inappropriate for her to engage in a new relationship with 2 young children.

She quietly desires the companionship of a man – perhaps more. It’s love at first sight when she meets Faramarz, a 70-year-old divorced taxi driver. It’s the first time she invites a man into her home.

They communicate like two innocent children, but can a relationship build from this random meeting between two lonely hearts in a country governed by so many unjust rules?

Audiences should feel for Mahin, a woman who wants change in her country. Gender equality is of paramount importance, and she finds solace in her garden which is her only joy. Her home is her sanctuary from a country filled with so many restrictions she doesn’t understand.

Faramarz lives a sad life where every day is the same and he’s afraid of dying alone, “I have nobody to talk to,” he states, “But things won’t be any better in the grave.”

There are moments of humour in this movie which resonates the cruel and unjust treatment and abuse of authority – power which westerners would deem as perplexing and wrongful.

In the course of the movie audiences will learn of the barbaric rules which the people must live by. Young women are taken away by the morality police for not wearing their hijabs properly and colouring their hair. Alcohol is illegal and social behaviour in homes is also of concern to these so called ‘law enforcers’.

“The more submissive you are to the morality police the more they will push you down,” Mahin tells the younger girls.

Engaging in a pensive moment Mahin utters under her breath, “This is freedom? When will they leave us alone?” These few lines of dialogue sum up the theme of the movie which is sugar-coated by the romance storyline between two elderly people.

What is surprising are the high standards both in front and behind the camera. The performances of these talented actors who are vastly unknown to Australian audiences, should keep audiences captivated until the very last scene.

Especially affective is the characterization of Mahin by actress Lili Farhadpour – it’s impossible not to warm to this strong willed and huge hearted woman.

The finale is unpredictably shocking and heart wrenching. A scene which highlights that oppression and fear may lead people to commit unspeakable acts.

My Favourite Cake

****

In Cinemas December 5.