The Apple on DVD (1998)

Bizarre Iranian Drama

A customer from england , 06/12/2004

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.

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disturbing viewing

puddles22 from hove , 13/04/2005

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.

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I loved this film

SuzannePolish from South West [Highly rated reviewer] , 11/12/2005

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.

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Very interesting and different

A customer from Rickmansworth, UK , 12/07/2005

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.

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Very interesting and different

A customer from Rickmansworth, UK , 12/07/2005

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.

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disturbing viewing

puddles22 from hove , 13/04/2005

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.

Read all highest rated reviews