The film generated mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers in Pakistan and beyond since releasing earlier this year
Asim Abbasi’s directorial debut Cake, that received critical as well as commercial acclaim in Pakistan and beyond, post its release earlier this year, has managed another feather in its cap. The film that features Aamina Sheikh, Sanam Saeed and Adnan Malik in pivotal roles, has been shortlisted for Oscar consideration in the Foreign Language Film Award category at the upcoming 91st Academy Awards. The selection has been made by the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee, which is led by two-time Academy Award and Emmy winning documentary filmmaker Sharmeen ObaidChinoy. Director of the film, Asim Abbasi, took to social media post the announcement and expressed his gratitude, and thanked the entire cast and crew attached to the project. “Hallelujah! I won’t get too excited as all the masters (Koreeda, Ceylan, Farhadi, Pawlikowksi, Cuaron) are in the running this year and will likely be eating this Cake en route to nominations, but still... truly humbled to be representing Pakistan,” he said on his official Facebook handle. “My deepest gratitude for my Cake family, who worked so hard and with so much belief to bring this film to the audiences,” he added. “2018 is proving to be a great year for Pakistani cinema. May it continue to grow and may we always find the courage and the vision to tell our stories our own way.” Adnan Malik, who has an important and rather unconventional role in the film, also shared his sentiments. He wrote, “Belief, perseverance and passion can take you a long way! Thank you Pakistan’s Oscar submission committee for nominating Cake for best foreign picture! And thank you Asim Abbasi for believing in yourself and all of us.” A lot of people from the entertainment fraternity as well as outsiders are happy with the decision to send Cake for the Oscars and find the nod worthwhile. Some of them include director Mehreen Jabbar, actor Ali Kazmi, singer-songwriter Meesha Shafi, thespian Sunil Shanker, musician Saif Samejo (who produced the soundtrack) and many others. Cake is a family drama that follows the story of a family whose members are at odds with each other for reasons hidden in their past. After a series of arguments and fights, their relationships begin to change once the truth is unfolded. The film explores multiple important subjects including sibling rivalry, love, relationships, familial ties, ageing parents and much more. Aamina and Sanam as sisters and Beo Zafar Rana as their no-filter mother are the major highlights of the film while Mohammad Ahmed as their father also has an interesting angle to offer. In addition to these actors, the film also features Mikaal Zulfiqar, Faris Khalid and Hira Hussain in small roles. Coming back to the Academy Awards, the selection committee also includes prominent names such as novelist Kamila Shamsie, HM Naqvi, actor and director Sahira Kazmi, singer and songwriters Hadiqa Kiani, Ali Sethi and Zoe Viccaji along with stylist Nabila Maqsood, culture critic Nadeem Farooq Paracha, RJ/actor Khalid Malik and actor and host Faysal Quraishi. Speaking of Cake, committee member Hadiqa Kiani noted, “Brilliantly showcasing the importance of responsible parenting and communication, Cake shows viewers that Pakistani films possess quality and substance. Every actor was immersed in his/her role, each shot was taken beautifully and the viewer never loses sight of the film’s themes and message. Cake sets the bar for Pakistani films in 2018.” Another member, Kamila Shamsie praised the film in these words: “Beautifully filmed, acted and written, Cake is both layered and affecting - and it’s even better on second viewing.” The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will choose the final nominees for all award categories including Best Foreign Language Film in January 2019. The complete and final list will be announced on January 22, 2019, with the presentation show for the awards scheduled to take place on February 24, next year.
