ABOUT THE PROJECT

LOGLINE
While people struggle to survive under sanctions in Saddam’s Iraq, nine-year-old Saeed must use his wits to bring the mandatory cake to celebrate President Saddam's birthday or face the consequences—prison or death.

SYNOPSIS
It’s April 26, 1991, which means that schools across Iraq will select students for the honor of bringing items to their mandatory local celebration of President Saddam’s birthday. Kind-hearted and resourceful Saeed lives with his grandmother Bibi in the historic Iraqi marshes.

Bibi teaches Saeed all kinds of tricks to avoid getting picked as he’s about to leave for school. Musa, the authoritative teacher, starts the draw for the birthday items: cleaning, refreshments, and decorations. Lamia, Saeed’s neighbor and crush, is tasked to bring fruits, which are scarce and expensive.

And then Musa calls Saeed’s name for the most difficult item—the birthday cake. Saeed has no choice but to accept the burden. He knows that failing to deliver risks prison or death. Back home, Saeed finds comfort in his confidant and rooster, Hindi. He debates lying to Bibi but soon admits the truth to his grandmother. Without options, Bibi and Saeed prepare an ingredient list and plan to trek to the bazaar.

The next morning, Saeed and Bibi pack their valuables—a radio, a clock, clothing, and Hindi. On their way, they befriend Jasim, a government mailman who offers them a ride. Shortly after they arrive at the bazaar, Saeed discovers that Bibi is planning to sell Hindi. Determined to save his pet, Saeed runs away with Hindi, abandoning Bibi.

Together, Saeed and Hindi embark on an adventure to get the ingredients. They soon encounter Saeed's classmate Lamia, who is in town with her disabled father to search for the fruits she was assigned at the draw.

The two schoolmates and Hindi escape for their lives when the police raid the premises and arrest Lamia’s father and other street sellers. Saeed, Lamia, and Hindi suddenly find themselves on a quest full of turbulence that will test and change them forever.

PROJECT TYPE Narrative Feature

DIRECTOR Hasan Hadi
SCREENWRITER Hasan Hadi
PRODUCER Leah Chen Baker
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Eric Roth, Marielle Heller