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Timeline

The Cakemaker (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 113 min · English
Echo score 77
JustWatch #4,583 16
Directed by
Ofir Raul Graizer
Starring
Tim Kalkhof, Sarah Adler, David Koren, Eliezer Shimon, Gal Gonen, Iyad Msalma
Budget
$170K

A young German baker living in Jerusalem experiences a devastating loss when his lover unexpectedly passes away. Seeking answers and comfort, he becomes involved with his lover's widow, Anat, assisting her in running a small café. As Thomas navigates his grief and a growing secret, he finds himself increasingly drawn into Anat’s life, unsure if his actions will lead to truth and healing or expose a dangerous deception.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Cakemaker
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Cakemaker (2018)

Where can you watch The Cakemaker? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Chai Flicks, Kanopy and Fandango at Home Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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14 events in order · contains spoilers

The Cakemaker Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Cakemaker (2018) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Oren's Tragic Passing

    The news of Oren's tragic accident in Israel spreads through Berlin, leaving Thomas heartbroken. Their secret relationship had been filled with stolen moments, and now, the silence from Oren casts a pall over Thomas's life.

    Where
    Berlin
  2. Thomas's Journey to Jerusalem

    Fleeing the weight of his grief, Thomas travels to Jerusalem in search of solace. He hopes to find a new beginning away from the echoes of his lost love.

    Where
    Jerusalem
  3. Arrival at Anat's Café

    Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Thomas is drawn to the warmth of Anat's café. Despite his culinary talents, he is initially prevented from using them due to issues with kosher certification.

    Where
    Anat's Café, Jerusalem
  4. Connection with Anat

    As Thomas and Anat bond over their shared experiences of loss and betrayal, he becomes an integral part of her life. Their connection deepens amidst her struggles as a grieving widow and mother.

    Where
    Jerusalem
  5. Motti's Suspicion

    Anat's brother-in-law, Motti, begins to harbor suspicions about Thomas's true intentions. Rumors concerning Oren's betrayal only heighten his concerns, leading to tensions within the café.

    Where
    Jerusalem
  6. Anat's Quest for Understanding

    Haunted by her memories, Anat begins to explore Oren's belongings to find closure. In her search, she discovers a German list that ultimately leads her to Thomas's café.

    Where
    Jerusalem
  7. Confrontation with the Truth

    Anat confronts Thomas with a shocking revelation: Oren had intended to leave her for him. The weight of this truth leaves both of them grappling with guilt and sorrow.

    Where
    Anat's Café, Jerusalem
  8. Revocation of Kosher Certification

    Anat faces additional hardship when she learns that her kosher certification has been revoked. This disastrous event renders all her catered goods worthless, adding to her turmoil.

    Where
    Jerusalem
  9. Heartfelt Voicemails

    When Anat restarts Oren's second phone, she is flooded with voicemail messages left by Thomas. Each message tugs at her heart, reflecting their hidden love and the pain of unfulfilled promises.

    Where
    Jerusalem
  10. Thomas Is Forced to Leave

    After confrontations with Motti, Thomas is compelled to leave Jerusalem, fearing he will never be allowed to return. As he departs, he is filled with sorrow and unanswered questions.

    Where
    Jerusalem
  11. Anat's Café Flourishes

    Over time, Anat's café begins to flourish, attracting customers despite the absence of a kosher seal. The success serves as a bittersweet reminder of her challenges and growth.

    Where
    Jerusalem
  12. Anat's Growing Attraction to Berlin

    As her café gains popularity, Anat starts feeling increasingly drawn to the vibrant life in Berlin. Memories of Thomas linger in her mind, hinting at possibilities beyond her current situation.

    Where
    Jerusalem
  13. The Serendipitous Encounter

    In a twist of fate, Anat spots Thomas leaving his café in Berlin. Their fleeting encounter feels almost predestined, stirring emotions and reflections within her.

    Where
    Berlin
  14. Anat's Moment of Introspection

    As Thomas disappears into the distance, Anat experiences a transformative moment of introspection. This brief encounter leads her to contemplate the possibilities of peace and fulfillment in her life.

    Where
    Berlin

Last updated: November 21, 2024 at 11:20

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Timeline questions answered

The Cakemaker Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Cakemaker (2018): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Thomas travel to Jerusalem after Oren's death?

Thomas travels to Jerusalem seeking solace and a new beginning after Oren's sudden death. Since his relationship with Oren was a secret, he had no connection to Oren's life in Israel, but he was drawn to the place where Oren lived, eventually finding his way to Anat's café.

Foreshadowing: Thomas's journey to Jerusalem is foreshadowed by the empty silence left by Oren, driving him to seek any remaining connection to the man he loved.

  • thomas
  • oren
  • jerusalem
  • grief
  • travel
Q2

Why can't Thomas work in the kitchen at Anat's café at first?

Thomas is initially prevented from using his culinary skills because the café operates under kosher certification laws. Any food prepared in the kitchen must meet religious dietary requirements, and his employment status is complicated by certification rules.

  • thomas
  • anat
  • kosher
  • café
  • kitchen
Q3

How does Anat discover Thomas's connection to Oren?

While searching through Oren's belongings for closure about his infidelity, Anat discovers a German list that leads her directly to Thomas's café, revealing the hidden connection between her husband and the German baker.

Foreshadowing: The discovery of the German list is setup by earlier scenes showing Anat's suspicion about Oren's secret life.

  • anat
  • thomas
  • oren
  • discovery
  • list
  • german
Q4

What is the revelation that Oren intended to leave Anat for Thomas?

Anat confronts Thomas with the devastating truth that Oren had planned to leave her and their child to be with Thomas. This revelation exposes Oren's double life and shatters both Anat and Thomas with guilt and sorrow.

  • oren
  • anat
  • thomas
  • revelation
  • affair
  • leaving
Q5

Why does Anat lose her kosher certification?

After the scandal of Oren's infidelity and Thomas's presence in the café is revealed, Anat's kosher certification is revoked. This renders all her catered goods worthless and adds additional financial and emotional hardship to her already crumbling life.

  • anat
  • kosher
  • certification
  • revoked
  • scandal
Q6

Why does Motti want Thomas to leave Jerusalem?

Motti, Anat's brother-in-law, becomes suspicious of Thomas's true motivations. He believes Thomas may have been involved with Oren's rumored betrayal, and after the truth emerges about Oren's planned departure, Motti forces Thomas to leave, declaring he will never be allowed to return to Israel.

Foreshadowing: Motti's suspicion is foreshadowed by rumors about Oren's betrayal that circulate earlier in the story.

  • motti
  • thomas
  • anat
  • suspicion
  • leave
  • israel
Q7

What do the voicemail messages on Oren's phone reveal?

When Anat restarts Oren's second phone, she finds heartfelt voicemail messages from Thomas, each expressing love and longing. These voicemails reveal the depth of Thomas and Oren's hidden relationship and serve as a painful reminder of the secrets Oren lived.

  • voicemail
  • oren
  • thomas
  • messages
  • phone
  • hidden love
Q8

Do Anat and Thomas end up together at the end?

Thomas is forced to leave Jerusalem and returns to Berlin, where he opens his own café. Later, Anat visits Berlin and spots Thomas leaving his café. Their brief, serendipitous encounter feels predestined, and Anat experiences a transformative moment of introspection, suggesting a potential future together despite their painful past.

  • anat
  • thomas
  • ending
  • berlin
  • reunion
  • future
Q9

Why does Anat become attracted to Berlin life?

As Anat's café flourishes despite losing its kosher seal, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Berlin, partly because of lingering memories of Thomas, and partly because she feels liberated from the constraints of her previous life. Berlin represents possibility and a fresh start away from her grief.

  • anat
  • berlin
  • attraction
  • new life
  • freedom
Q10

What was the nature of Thomas and Oren's relationship?

Thomas and Oren had a secret romantic relationship while Oren was married to Anat in Israel. Their connection involved stolen moments and hushed promises, with Thomas living in Berlin while Oren divided his life between his family and his hidden lover.

  • thomas
  • oren
  • relationship
  • secret
  • affair
  • love

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Cakemaker, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Cakemaker tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about grief and secrets like The Cakemaker

Stories of hidden sorrow and unexpected bonds formed in the wake of loss. If you liked the quiet, emotionally layered story of The Cakemaker, you'll find similar movies here. This thread gathers dramas that explore grief, hidden relationships, and the tender, complicated bonds that form in the shadow of loss, often with a slow, introspective pace.

  • melancholic
  • grieving
  • secretive
  • tender
  • introspective
  • somber
  • Tone: melancholic, bittersweet
  • Pacing: slow, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a significant loss that unveils a hidden truth or a secret relationship. The story then follows characters as they navigate their grief while also managing the tension of the secret, often leading to an unexpected, complicated connection with another person affected by the same event. The journey is internal, focusing on emotional processing over external action.

Why they belong together: They are grouped together for their shared focus on the intersection of deep personal grief and the burden of secrecy. They create a specific, melancholic mood through slow pacing, moderate emotional intensity, and a tone that balances sadness with the fragile hope of human connection.

Movies about cultural romance and connection like The Cakemaker

Emotional stories where love and understanding bridge cultural divides. For viewers who enjoyed the cross-cultural dynamic in The Cakemaker, this section highlights similar movies. These stories explore tender relationships that develop across cultural or religious boundaries, often with a slow, thoughtful pace and a focus on emotional resonance over dramatic conflict.

  • tender
  • longing
  • cultural
  • solace
  • quiet
  • introspective
  • Tone: tender, bittersweet
  • Pacing: slow, observational
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a character entering an unfamiliar cultural environment, often through personal tragedy or need. A connection forms with a local, built on mundane, shared activities that slowly deepen into intimacy. The central conflict arises from the subtle friction of cultural norms, unspoken rules, and the characters' internal struggles with identity and belonging, leading to an ambiguous but hopeful resolution.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific emotional texture created by the juxtaposition of personal intimacy against a backdrop of cultural difference. They are united by a gentle, observant pacing, a medium emotional weight, and a tone that is both tender and realistically complicated, avoiding simple resolutions.

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Movies Like The Cakemaker

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Every angle

The Cakemaker (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Cakemaker in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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