The Apple Reviews

Bizarre Iranian Drama

An odd atmospheric film about two children who are locked in their house by their father and blind mother, before being rescued by a social worker. Filmed with the two children that the true story is based, this is edgy, surreal, and ever so slightly disturbing. Directed by a seventeen yr old iranian woman who has since won Cannes, this film cast a weird spell over you.

disturbing viewing

i was expecting the film to concentrate on the time the girls were locked up but it begins with social services' involvement and the girl's first encounter of the outside world. though i wanted the girls to experience freedom, i found myself feeling for the father who was doing the best he could with what he had. the blind mother cant have been easy to live with and he had to be both parents and rely on the generosity of friends and neighbour. their desperate poverty kept them all confined to a meager existence. i was astonished to read that they were acting themselves, that must have been truly painful for the father, who felt so shamed by the publicity of their story, and pretty amazing as the twins appear to have special needs themselves. was this partly why he kept them locked up or as a result of his actions? thought provoking stuff, and uncomfortable viewing..especially when he is locked up himself. though some beautiful moments shared with other children and the girl's adventures on the streets.

[Highly rated reviewer]

I loved this film

I watched it twice. The first time, knowing nothing about it; the second time having read a bit about the making of it and the people involved in its making. I can see why some have called it manipulative, but I think the portrayal of the father, and indeed the mother was in fact very sympathetic. The twins are an absolute delight. Ok, perhaps I am naive, but I think this is a brilliant film. Possibly one that you either really love, or loathe.

Very interesting and different

An alternative , documentary style film . The two girls were very sweet and the father actually unintentionally funny. Played by the original family it is based on. This was very thought provoking and stayed with me long after I'd seen it.

The Apple

This film looks at the lives of two girls who are locked in the house by their protective Mother and later 'rescued' by a social worker who has had reports from the neighbours.

[Highly rated reviewer]

A real eye-opener

The small and rather unassuming film from Iran is a must see for everyone working with children, especially for social workers.

The story and style of this movie are very simple. Two 12 year old girls who have been locked out by their family for 'safety' reasons are reported to the local welfare office for investigation. What happens next is the subject of the film and well worth watching.

The film is made in a semi-documentary style using the original family and despite its simplicity it remains fascinating throughout. The methods of the welfare officer are unconventional to say the least and certainly a far cry from anything that would be possible here in the UK.

If you're looking for an introduction to Iranian Cinema this could be a good point to start. Even if you are just trying to look at the way of life in other cultures this film is highly recommendable.

Fantastic

Though it still has a storng and perturbing sense of the surreal this is a far more uplifting and heartwarming film than one might first expect. After the disorientating opening the focus of the movie homes in on the girls first afternoon of freedom; learning to interact, to play and to make friends, capturing perfectly and with comic brilliance the way that young children behave. It is mind boggling to see the family who were involved in the original case perform as themselves, each turns in an awsome performance so utterly devoid of self consiousness it is baffaling to wonder how the increadably young director coaxed them to relive their experiences so entirely convincingly. The film is of course far more than a bizarre domestic drama, it is passionate plea against the isolationism, religeous conservativism and the repressiveness that Iran finds itself moving towards and a hymn to liberty and life. Astonishing in every way.

Amazing

Incredible true story, the girls were so unselfconscious and the father allowed himself to be criticised on film as though he was totally unaware of the camera's fickleness. Total innocence. Charming film.

The children shine

The Apple... what compelling viewing... simple but beautiful... to have a glimpse of Iranian life of ten years ago... but a drama too.... amazing to think that the Director used the actual protaganists of the real life event... highly recommend

RUBBISH!

Its absolute crap!!! Total waste of money and time