In the ever-restrictive landscape of Iranian cinema, a romantic drama, My Favourite Cake, has sparked a fresh government crackdown on its directors, Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha. The film, which tells the poignant story of an elderly couple finding solace in each other’s company for a night, has been celebrated internationally. However, its rising success on the global stage has brought mounting pressure from Iranian authorities, who have taken legal action against the filmmakers.
Despite its warm reception at international film festivals and successful screenings in more than a dozen countries, Iranian authorities are determined to prevent its continued release. The directors, based in Tehran, have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, and legal charges, reflecting the country’s rigid control over artistic expression.
“They want us to stop the release of the film in different countries,” Sanaeeha revealed in a recent interview with AFP. “When a film goes to a festival or starts a new release in a new country, they call us… and then push us to stop the film, in France, in Italy, in Germany, and everywhere.”
This crackdown is not unprecedented in Iran, where filmmakers have often faced state oppression. Other acclaimed directors such as Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof have endured similar repression, with the latter fleeing the country in 2023. Moghadam and Sanaeeha, known for their 2020 film Ballad of a White Cow, now face charges including “propaganda against the regime,” “spreading libertinism and prostitution,” and violating Islamic law through so-called “vulgarity.” Their passports have been confiscated, and they are required to report to the police for questioning at least once a month.
My Favourite Cake subtly challenges Iran’s strict censorship rules by portraying everyday life in its rawest form. The film highlights a relationship between two unmarried adults—a widow and a widower who share an intimate evening together. Additionally, the female lead, Lili Farhadpour, is seen without a veil, a daring move that further fueled the authorities’ disapproval.
“We wanted to tell the story of the reality of our lives,” Moghadam explained. “Being a normal person, having desires, touching each other these things have been forbidden. But telling these realities was very important for us.”
Filming commenced just two weeks before the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protest movement in 2022, which erupted following the arrest and subsequent death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, detained for violating Iran’s dress code. The widespread protests were violently suppressed, leaving hundreds dead. The filmmakers briefly paused production but resumed after realizing that their film aligned with the very issues fueling the protests.
Despite the Iranian government’s attempts to stifle My Favourite Cake, the film is scheduled for further international releases, including in France, Brazil, Greece, Norway, and Belgium. Talks are also ongoing for screenings in seven more countries, including the United States. However, Iranians can currently only access the film through illicit downloads or encrypted messaging services like Telegram.
Faced with an uncertain future, Moghadam and Sanaeeha remain resolute. “We believe that we have to be here. We have to stand and we have to fight,” Moghadam affirmed. “We don’t know what will happen in the future.”
Their unwavering stance highlights the ongoing struggle for artistic freedom in Iran—a battle where filmmakers continue to defy state oppression to bring untold stories to the world.
