Director: Eytan Fox
Cast: Efrat Dor, Dana Ivgy, Ofer Shechter
Country: Israel
Year: 2013
Runtime: 90 min
Beloved Israeli director Eytan Fox is back with Cupcakes, a bright and colourful film that is as sugary sweet as its title suggests. When six neighbours get together to watch the televised Unisong contest that they all love, they discover that kind, maternal figure Anat is worried about her marriage. In an attempt to cheer her up, the group writes a spontaneous song that ends up earning them a spot representing Israel in the next year’s contest. Shocked and unprepared, the group must struggle to stay true to themselves as the competition approaches and each faces their own hardships and insecurities.
Cupcakes is a fun film with an important message about living life to its fullest and being who you are. The work may be over-the-top, far-fetched, and slightly melodramatic, but neither the Unisong contest nor the film itself requires subtlety. A variety of relationships are represented and allotted equal importance, expanding the appeal of the film to a wide audience. In addition, each diverse character is shown to achieve their own personal victory after facing their own individual challenge, and there is somebody here to whom everybody can relate. This is a film full of music, baking, and fun. It may not be a cinematic masterpiece, but it effectively delivers its sweet message in high style, and imparts its infectious happiness onto all who watch.
Rating: 7 / 10
Screening Time: Saturday May 24, 10pm @ TIFF Bell Lightbox Cinema 1