06/02/2024 - The French sales agent will be wagering on Golden Bear competitor My Favourite Cake and Panorama opener Crossing, but also Queen Mom in post-production

My Favourite Cake by Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha

Previously in attendance at the 2021 Berlinale by way of Ballad of a White Cow [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], directed by Iranians Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, French international sales agent Totem Films is making a return to the German festival’s most dazzling showcase with the filmmaking duo’s new offering My Favourite Cake [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], which is set to battle it out for the Golden Bear at the 74th Berlinale (running 15 - 25 February) and which promises to keep the firm busy at the European Film Market. The story of My Favourite Cake revolves around 70-year-old Mahin who lives alone, until she decides to break with her solitary routine and revitalise her love life. But just as she’s opening herself up to romance, an unexpected encounter soon translates into an unforgettable evening... Production is steered by Iran’s Filmsazan Javan alongside French firm Caractères Productions, Sweden’s Hobab and Germany’s Watchmen Productions.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

The Totem team led by Bérénice Vincent and Laure Parleani have another winning card to play at the EFM, since their line-up also includes Levan Akin’s Crossing [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Levan Akin
film profile] which is scheduled to open the Panorama section. This new feature film by the Swedish-Georgian director, who turned many a head with his previous opuses (And Then We Danced [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Levan Akin
interview: Levan Gelbakhiani
film profile] in the 2019 Directors’ Fortnight, The Circle [+see also:
trailer
film profile] in the Berlinale’s 2015 Generation line-up, and Certain People in Tribeca 2012), follows in the wake of Lia, a retired teacher who made a promise to find her long-lost niece Tekla. Her search takes her to Istanbul, a magnificent city which seems full of connections and possibilities. It’s here that she meets Evrim, a lawyer fighting for trans people’s rights, and Tekla begins to feel closer than ever... Production is steered by Sweden’s French Quarter Film together with SVT and RMV, Denmark’s Adomeit, French firm Easy Riders Films, Turkey’s Bir Film, and Georgia’s 1991 Productions. The movie has been pre-purchased by Mubi for North America, the UK, Germany and Latin America.

Last but not least, the EFM will also see Totem Films pinning its hopes on Manele Labidi’s Queen Mom (Reine mère) (read our article), which is currently in post-production. Produced by Kazak Production together with Arte France Cinéma and Belgium’s Frakas Productions, this second feature by the filmmaker who made her debut with Arab Blues [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Manele Labidi
film profile] (Giornate degli Autori 2019, nominated for the Nest First Film César and Lumière) stars Camélia Jordana, Sofiane Zermani, Damien Bonnard and Riam Monfort. The film’s release in France is entrusted to Diaphana.

(Translated from French)