Greetings again from the darkness. We don’t see a lot of films from Iran, but if this one from writer-director Hasan Hadi is any indication, the industry there is in fine form with storytelling. While not preachy or heavily politicized, the movie does offer some insight into authoritarianism in the 1990’s under dictator Saddam Hussein. Some would argue that the situation from thirty years ago acts as a modern-day cautionary tale.
Lamia (terrific first-timer Baneen Ahmad Nayyef) is a clever nine-year old who lives in the marshes with her elderly “Bibi” (Waheed Thabet Khreibat). Times are tough in the country due to UN sanctions and the pressure the Saddam Hussein regime pushes down to the citizenry. One of these pressures is the requirement of a national celebration of Saddam’s birthday. “Draw day” comes two days prior as Lamia’s teacher assigns responsibilities for the celebration. Lamia is to bake a birthday cake. This seemingly mundane task is gut-wrenching for Lamia, as she and Bibi barely have enough food to eat themselves. An ingredient list is compiled and Lamia, who feels the intense burden of this assignment, sets out to gather the items.
Lamia has two friends. Classmate Saeed (debuting Sajad Mohammad Qasem) and Lamia’s beloved pet rooster, Hindi, are her only connections outside of Bibi. Lamia and Saeed sometimes play a staring game (first to blink loses), and this serves as both a personal connection and a momentary timeout from the stressful world. It also gives us viewers a short reprieve from this environment as we find joy watching kids be kids, even if it’s a literal blink of an eye. Lamia’s pursuit of the ingredients proves there are creeps and good people in every society, even those under constant threat of war.
Daily life at school has the teacher leading mandatory support sessions for their leader Saddam, and it’s no joking matter. Lamia’s pressure-filled assignment teaches her (and us) that flour is for life, sugar makes life sweeter, and eggs are for fertility. Hadi’s film emphasizes the power of friendship and hope, while Lamia’s dedication to Hindi shows her own sterling mettle. Hadi ends the film with an archival clip of Saddam Hussein celebrating his birthday.
Limited theater opening on February 13, 2026, expanding on February 27, 2026
Posted by David Ferguson 
Movie Reviews from the Dark 