Acclaimed Iraqi film explores Saddam Hussein's absurd birthday rituals

Parties were staged across the sanctions-hit country to mark the occasion, while many public squares and bridges around Baghdad were decorated with coloured lights. State radio played endless songs to the glory of the ruthless national leader and callers were asked to recount improvised poems in his honour. In schools, children would be tasked with baking cakes for "Mr. President" -- the inspiration for a new film by 37-year-old Iraqi director Hasan Hadi which is making waves internationally....