Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights in North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and India for Cannes Caméra d’Or winner The President’s Cake by Iraqi director Hasan Hadi.
The film, which debuted in Directors’ Fortnight, also proved a crowdpleaser in the Cannes parallel section, winning its People’s Choice audience award.
Deadline critic Pete Hammond also fell for the film describing it as a “a true gem and a real discovery”. Check out his review here.
New York-based Hadi has tapped into his own childhood in southern Iraq in the 1990s, growing up under the regime of President Saddam Hussein and the socio-economic crisis provoked by international sanctions, for the film.
The drama follows nine-year-old Lamia who gets the short straw of having to provide a birthday cake for her classmates to celebrate the president’s birthday. Gathering the ingredients for the mandatory cake at a time of shortages is a monumental task but failure to deliver could lead to prison or death for her family.
The movie is produced by Leah Chen Baker with executive producers including award-winning screenwriter Eric Roth (Forrest Gump) and director Marielle Heller (Nightbitch, Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood).
The film is made in association with Missing Piece Films, Working Barn Productions, Maiden Voyage Pictures and Spark Features.
“Winning the Caméra d’Or in a year with so many formidable directorial debuts and winning the Audience Award in the Directors’ Fortnight, Hasan Hadi’s The President’s Cake is the surprise hit of this year’s festival. In the tradition of major Cannes discoveries, these ovations and critical acclaim mark the beginning of a fresh voice destined to thrill audiences everywhere,” said Sony Pictures Classics.
“Since childhood, Sony Pictures Classics has been the go-to name for quality cinema and original storytelling. It’s a dream come true—and a true honor—to now be part of that legacy. Their incredible history of championing international films and commitment to theatrical releases makes them the perfect home for The President’s Cake,” added Hadi.
The film was negotiated between UTA Independent Film Group, WME Independent and Sony Pictures Classics. Films Boutique represents international sales. Hadi is repped by UTA and Jonathan Gardner.
The Sundance Film Institute and Doha Film Institute are among the many supporters of the film.
