Laila’s Birthday: A taxi, an explosion and birthday cake

Synopsis

 

Laila’s birthday is set in Ramallah in Palestine. A judge is forced to drive his brother-in-law’s taxi in order to make ends meet.

As Abu Laila leaves home in the morning he is given just two tasks by his wife: to get home before 8, and to bring home a birthday present for his daughter Laila.

That proves more difficult than would be expected as he is faced with numerous obstacles during his working day, putting his commitment and determination to the test. Explosions, inept policemen and the continual telephone calls from a customer who left his mobile phone in his taxi, Abu Laila still tries to get a present for his daughter despite the setbacks that stand in his way.

Review

Rashid Mashawari’s latest film is easily relatable, despite its complicated political setting.  We can all understand Abu Laila’s frustrations in trying to make it home to spend time with a loved one. We’ve all been there ourselves and have all felt what he’s going through. Admittedly the barriers we face are not as extreme and as drastic as Abu Laila’s.

The beauty of the film lies in the protagonist’s unrelenting desire to persevere and stay true to his principles despite the many temptations to give in. The political context is completely secondary to the central themes of the film. This film examines the human condition and values, the backdrop just happens to be set in occupied Palestine.  Indeed, Mohammad Bakri opines that Palestinians are not to blame all their day-to-day problems on the Israeli occupation. “The occupation does not dictate how a man should treat his wife and daughter,” he told an audience at the Palestinian Film Festival in London. “Human beings are not slaves they are their own masters.” This message resonates throughout the film. Abu Laila, the straight-laced preachy judge, gets this point of view across in a rather unorthodox and unexpected manner in a 5-minute scene at a petrol station.

When asked whether Bakri identified with Abu Laila he emphatically said, “No… he’s very boring all ways quoting the law. He combs his hair I don’t.  He has a moustache I hate having a moustache…But he has spirit and courage and wants to change things for the better, for that I admire him.”

Laila’s birthday is very watchable because it is not a political slogan. Rather, it’s a social statement, full of black humour. There’s a strong take home message for both Palestinian and non- Palestinian audiences alike: “Let us examine ourselves and take responsibility for our own behaviour”.

Against all the obstacles faced by the production crew (no budget for food, shot in only 4 weeks) this film works. Underneath its austere setting it’s actually a feel good film.

Words by India Blair

Laila’s birthday interview with Mohammad Bakri (recorded after a screening so apologies for the background chatter)