IFFI - 2025: Cinema Unites Nations : IFFI showcases powerful tales from Iran, Iraq

Farzana Syed
Comments 0
27 Nov 2025

Goa, Nov 26: Iran and Iraq converged on the IFFI stage, sharing poignant tales of resilience and survival. Two films, born from the complexities of their nations' histories, showcased the human experience under pressure. "My Daughter's Hair (Raha)" and "The President's Cake" brought together filmmakers from Iran and Iraq, united by their conviction to tell stories that weave personal memories with collective struggles.

Director Seyed Hesam Farahmand Joo and Producer Saeid Khaninamaghi represented Iran, discussing their film's exploration of social realities. Alexandru-Radu Radu, Editor of Iraq's entry, highlighted the film's unique portrayal of life under dictatorship, competing for the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal.

Director Hesam Farahmand Joo drew from personal experiences to create "My Daughter's Hair", a poignant portrayal of women's struggles in Iran. The film's protagonist, Raha, sells her hair to buy a laptop, echoing the silent sacrifices women make amidst financial hardship. Producer Saeid Khaninamaghi contextualized the film's narrative, highlighting Iran's economic struggles under international sanctions. He noted that the middle class is shrinking, with many slipping into poverty, mirroring the family's economic collapse in the film due to a laptop's unaffordability.

Hesam Farahmand Joo aimed to break stereotypes with "My Daughter's Hair's" visuals, avoiding the typical "drab poverty" aesthetic often associated with working-class stories. He sought to capture life's authenticity, showcasing the colorful moments, laughter, and celebrations of those struggling financially. "Poor families have happy moments too," he said, emphasizing his desire to portray this truth.

Hesam hopes to bring socially conscious stories into mainstream cinema, challenging the notion that such films aren't commercially viable. He's working on a new project with a similar philosophy. Producer Saeid Khaninamaghi highlighted Iranian cinema's ongoing struggle with censorship, where films are often edited, leaving audiences with incomplete narratives.

Alexandru-Radu Radu shared insights into "The President's Cake", set in 1990s Iraq. The film features non-professional actors, cast from everyday life, lending a raw, unfiltered quality to the narrative. This "street-cast" approach gives the film its unique immediacy, drawing audiences into the world of 1990s Iraq.

"The President's Cake" sheds light on Iraq's struggles under sanctions and authoritarian rule, focusing on the plosses faced by the lower classes. Alexandru-Radu Radu highlighted how dictatorships inflict suffering on ordinary people, not the rulers themselves. The film tells the story of Lamia, a young girl tasked with baking a cake for Saddam Hussein, blending absurdity with harsh reality.

Director Hasan Hadi envisioned Lamia as a symbol of Iraq, reflecting the country's turmoil through her story. Radu noted that Iraq's film industry is still emerging, with "The President's Cake" being the country's first art-house film. Hasan Hadi is part of a new wave of Iraqi directors building the country's cinematic landscape, distinct from Iran's established film tradition.