Review of The Apple (1998) by Kevin W — 03 May 2009

Made with the assistance of her father, Mohsen, one of Iran's most successful directors, the eighteen year old (yes, EIGHTEEN!) Samira Makhmalbaf creates a part fictionalised documentary, similar to her father's own 'A Moment of Innocence' and Abbas Kiarostami's 'Close Up'.

Genuine events are recreated with a small amount of dramatic license. Although parents lock their children away from the outside world, there's not much blame attached; the father's reasons are well meaning - "a girl is like a flower; if the sun shines on her, she will fade".

The shame and dishonour involved is when the press exaggerate the story. Some have seen The Apple as an allegory about the treatment of women in Iran. The paradox is that Iran is actually the most progressive country in the world for female film makers.