Laila’s Birthday

Judge Abu Laila (Mohamed Bakri) is forced to become a taxi driver when the government runs out of money to pay his wages. On the day of his daughter Laila's seventh birthday, his wife insists that he needs to be home early with a gift and a cake. Abu Laila has nothing on his mind other than completing this mission. However, the daily life in Palestine is a bit chaotic and takes him
in many other directions before he gets home.

Drawing from the everyday tales of contemporary Palestine, director Rashid Masharawi concentrates his focus on a single day, crafting a wry comedy about a father, his daughter and the incongruities around them.

“A fleet, dark urban comedy that registers outrage in glancing jabs of absurdist observation.” (Stephen Holden, New York Times)

“A vivid passenger seat tour of a society perpetually crashing into madness.” (Kevin Lee, Time Out New York)