'The Apple' is the haunting first feature by Samira Makhmalbaf, the 17 year-old daughter of the Iranian filmmaker, Mohson Makhmalbaf.
Based on a true incident and using the family involved, the film tells a bizarre but engaging story. In Tehran, two twin daughters live as virtual prisoners of their poor father and blind mother, locked behind bars for all of their 12 years. The father's argument is that: 'My daughters are like flowers. They mustn't be exposed to the sun or they would soon fade...'. A social worker tries to persuade the father to give them the freedom to explore the world beyond the gates of their home.

With its unaffected charm and natural humour, 'The Apple' won the Sutherland Trophy for best first feature at the London Film Festival.

cast: Massoumeh Naderi .... Massoumeh /
Zahra Naderi .... Zahra /
Ghorban Ali Naderi .... Father /
Azizeh Mohamadi .... Azizeh
Zahra Saghrisaz.
Runtime: 86 min
Country: Iran / France
Language: Iranian with English subtitles.
Colour