Watch The Cakemaker

The Cakemaker is a 2017 Israeli-German drama directed by Ofir Raul Grazier, which explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. The film primarily revolves around Thomas, a German baker who is deeply in love with Oren, an Israeli businessman who travels to Germany frequently for work. Oren’s sudden death leaves Thomas shattered, and he decides to travel to Jerusalem in search of answers and closure.

Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Thomas finds Oren’s wife Anat, who runs a café in the city. Thomas doesn’t reveal his identity to Anat, but starts working at her café secretly, learning about the city and the culture. While working there, Thomas puts all his emotions into his baking, which Anat notices and is impressed by. She soon hires him as the café’s pastry chef, where his skills and craftsmanship enchant the café’s customers.

As time passes, Anat starts to confide in Thomas, opening up about her husband Oren and their strong, but complex, relationship. Along the way, Thomas also finds solace in Aryeh, a Orthodox Jewish man who advises and supports Thomas.

The plot of The Cakemaker develops slowly, as the characters and their stories are unveiled gradually. The film is carefully crafted to showcase the dichotomies between German and Israeli cultures, religion and personal beliefs, and same sex love in a conservative society. The Cakemaker is a story of human connection and how it goes beyond borders and social constructs.

The cinematography is an integral part of The Cakemaker, capturing the beauty and soul of the two cities: Berlin and Jerusalem. The filmmakers use light, shadows, and color to highlight the emotions of the characters as they navigate through their journeys of love and grief.

The performances of the cast are incredibly strong, with Tim Kalkhof portraying Thomas’ vulnerability and introspection, as well as Sarah Adler’s impressive rendition of Anat’s complicated emotions. Roi Miller and Zohar Shtrauss also deliver powerful performances as they explore the complexities of relationships and societal norms.

Overall, The Cakemaker is a thoughtful and poignant film that masterfully weaves a compelling narrative with stunning visuals to create an immersive experience. It is a delicate exploration of love, loss, and acceptance, taking audiences on a poignant and emotional journey that will stay with them long after the credits have rolled.

The Cakemaker is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 74.