Shadows on the Wall | Arthouse Films

Shadows off the beaten path
Indies, foreign, docs and shorts...

On this page: THE PRESIDENT'S CAKE | THE SECRET AGENT

< < F O R E I G N

See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL | Last update 23.Nov.25

The President’s Cake
Review by Rich Cline | 4/5

MUST SEE

dir-scr Hasan Hadi
prd Leah Chen Baker
with Baneen Ahmed Nayyef, Sajad Mohamad Qasem, Waheeda Thabet, Rahim AlHaj, Aqeel Wadi, Fatima Abouharoon, Rokia Alwadi, Mohammed Rheimeh, Abdelkarim Jasim, Nadia Rashak, Ahmad Qasem Saywan, Thaer Salem
release UK Oct.25 lff,
US 12.Dec.25
25/Iraq 1h45

CANNES FILM FEST
TORONTO FILM FEST

Is it streaming?

A fascinating slice of life from rural Iraq, this warmly involving drama pulls us in with its vivid characters as they navigate a series of tricky situations. Writer-director Hasan Hadi films this beautifully with widescreen camerawork in picturesque locations. And much of the film is seen through the eyes of two smart children who have learned how to thrive in a world that feels unnervingly precarious to us.

In April 1990, despite food shortages caused by the UN sanctions, Saddam Hussein orders the population to celebrate his birthday. In her community on the waterways, 9-year-old Lamia (Nayyef) does her homework and helps her Bibi (Thabet). Then she's assigned to make the president's birthday cake for her classroom. Even more troubling, Bibi wants her to go live with Rahma (Abouharoon). So she runs off with her pet rooster Hindi, teaming up with her friend Saeed (Qasem) to find the scarce ingredients for the cake. Meanwhile, Bibi tries to get the police to find Lamia.

At school, students are required to pledge loyalty to their great leader, so Lamia can't help but wonder if he will eat all the cakes himself. She and Saeed meet a range of colourful people as they hunt for sugar, eggs, flour and baking soda, and they'll need to be creative because everyone is out of stock and they have no money. But giving up on this project is not an option, even as events take some very dark turns.

Little anecdotes reveal personalities and fill in playful stories about each of the characters, including small side roles like a bridegroom (Salem) who lost his sight due to a bombing before he could see his intended bride. Or the pregnant woman (Alwadi) who is preyed on by a shop clerk (Rheimeh). Performances are earthy and naturalistic, anchored by Nayyef's almost disarmingly honest reactions and connections. And Thabet gives Bibi a wonderful take-no-nonsense sassiness.

Assembled from a series of mini-adventures, the film is a refreshing mix of sparky comedy and darkly thoughtful drama. Because the narrative flows in natural rhythms, it's impossible to predict where it might go next. The realities of this time and place make it unlikely that Lamia will ever get to make her cake without miraculous, or at least kindly, intervention. Even more haunting is how these children can never forget that they are living in a war zone.

themes, language 18.Nov.25

The Secret Agent O Agente Secreto
Review by Rich Cline | 4/5

MUST SEE

dir-scr Kleber Mendonca Filho
prd Kleber Mendonca Filho, Emilie Lesclaux
with Wagner Moura, Tania Maria, Laura Lufesi, Roberio Diogenes, Hermila Guedes, Carlos Francisco, Buda Lira, Enzo Nunes, Gabriel Leone, Roney Villela, Luciano Chirolli, Udo Kier
release Br 6.Nov.25,
US 26.Nov.25
25/Brazil 2h38

CANNES FILM FEST
TORONTO FILM FEST

Is it streaming?

With a riveting plot that snakes through an epic running time, this expertly crafted Brazilian film combines comedy, drama and thrills in ways that continually catch us by surprise. It's a film that demands full attention, because the expansive story is thoroughly infused with 1970s political issues and quirky twists of fate. But writer-director Kleber Mendonca Filho pulls us in with wonderfully detailed characters and unexpected relationships.

Returning to his hometown Recife and going into hiding in a boarding house run by the indomitable Sebastiana (Maria), tech genius Marcelo (Moura) reconnects with his young son Fernando (Nunes), who is living with his late wife's father Alexandre (Francisco). Ostensibly working in the police identification unit, Marcelo is searching for information about his long-lost mother when he learns that two hitman (Villela and Leone) have traveled from Sao Paulo to take him out on the orders of a ruthless businessman (Chirolli). And because it's Carnival, the police chief (Diogenes) is a bit distracted.

Opening with a note about how 1977 was "a period of great mischief", everything about this film is gorgeously assembled, from the authenticity of the period to the smallest details in a huge number of colourful people who populate the screen. Even tiny one-scene players are able to bring their roles to life with offbeat humour, gurgling emotion or intimidating menace. And the settings skilfully capture the sunshiny weather and vibrant local culture, with added festive flourishes.

Holding everything together, Moura delivers a strikingly internalised performance as a thoughtful, open-hearted man trying to keep his young son safe as shadowy forces gather against him. His connections with various people feel bracingly truthful, creating ripples of emotion and tension at every point. Particularly lovely moments include Marcelo and Fernando being unable to stop smiling whenever they're together. And Marcelo's romance with Guedes' fellow refugee Claudia is superbly offhanded.

But then the entire film has a loose, unstructured vibe, which allows the plot to unfold organically, echoed in present-day cutaways as a researcher (Lufesi) listens to recordings to solve mysteries that have remained unanswered for nearly half a century. And there are some seriously intense moments, as events escalate into bursts of heart-stopping violence. Because the narrative grows out of real historical context, there are provocative ideas that reverberate strongly today, knowingly exploring how people survive in times when officials and leaders embrace corruption.

themes, language, violence, sexuality 22.Nov.25

< < F O R E I G N
See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL