A garden that feels like a tranquil sanctuary—a place where the soul escapes its solitude and takes deep, restorative breaths.
Beyond this garden lies a bright and welcoming home, with a kitchen where a pot is always gently simmering. Sometimes it’s a solitary cup of coffee, other times a lively dinner table surrounded by friends.
Everything about Mahin’s life reflects a carefully maintained balance. After losing her husband and seeing her children move abroad, she has embraced her 70s alone, yet her presence fills her home with peace and vibrancy. Mahin has her own way of living, a quiet yet resolute approach to life, and she finds joy in the small pleasures it offers.
Mahin often retreats to her garden, not just from loneliness but from the suffocating realities of her homeland, Iran. Even as she navigates her country’s streets, she carries her defiance toward life’s constraints and political oppression.
These escapes take many forms—listening to music, watching an Özcan Deniz drama—small acts of resistance to a regime that tries to deny such pleasures. These stolen moments, however fleeting, are amplified by the silent camaraderie of others who share the same rebellion.
Life has taught Mahin countless lessons, and the most significant is the importance of taking charge. She doesn’t shy away; if she wants something, she pursues it, undeterred by fear or hesitation.
Does the value of a long-awaited achievement depend on the time it takes to attain it? Or is the joy of living found in every brief but meaningful reunion with life’s sweetness? Does an ending define the significance of what came before?
“My Favorite Cake” faced its own trials in reaching an audience. Iranian authorities barred the filmmakers from attending the Berlin Film Festival, confiscating their passports and even seizing their computers and hard drives. The film, shot in secret, survived only because it was safeguarded abroad.
Separating the film from its backstory feels almost impossible; the real-world struggles are intricately woven into its narrative. While I have mixed feelings about the ending, there’s no denying the impact of the performances and the way the film unsettled and provoked deep reflection in me.