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The Apple

Released May 27, 1998 1h 25m Drama List
85% Tomatometer 48 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
This docudrama tells the story of two adolescent girls (Zahra Naderi, Masume Naderi) in Iran who have been kept imprisoned by their father (Qorban Ali Naderi) in their home from the day they were born. Interacting with a social worker who was notified of the situation, the girls' father voices his conviction that allowing the girls out of the house would lead to their corruption by males and the vices of the outside world. The neglected girls, meanwhile, can barely walk or speak.
The Apple

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Critics Consensus

The Apple flirts with exploitation, but this boldly metaphorical work boasts a tart, complex crunch.

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Critics Reviews

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Desson Thomson Washington Post There is nothing more haunting than the faces of those two girls, two angels who were kept in hell for more than a decade and have emerged, blinking into the light. Mar 31, 2021 Full Review Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer The feature debut of 17-year-old Iranian filmmaker Samira Makhmalbaf, The Apple is one part docudrama, one part parable, and the altogether involving story of 12-year-old twin girls. Rated: 3/4 Mar 31, 2021 Full Review John Monaghan Detroit Free Press [The Apple] hits upon simple, yet all-important human emotions that movies rarely capture. Rated: 3/4 Mar 31, 2021 Full Review Sean P. Means Salt Lake Tribune Documentarylike realism and strong symbolism combine in the Iranian film The Apple, and it's not an easy mix. Rated: 2.5/4 Mar 31, 2021 Full Review Robert W. Butler Kansas City Star The Apple would be a good film even without the extraordinary circumstances of its creation. And when you know the "back story," as they say in the movie biz, it becomes one of those truly amazing moments in cinema. Rated: 3/4 Mar 31, 2021 Full Review Bob Campbell Newhouse News Service Mixing documentary observation with unforced re-enactments, The Apple offhandedly exposes the deepest rifts in [Iranian] society and, despite digressions and imperfections, marks a fine debut. Rated: 3/4 Mar 31, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Poorly made, really badly edited. True story but woefully told Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member If you read the story you would get angry with the parents. Watching the documentary/movie still leaves you feeling sorry for the girls but also pity NOT anger at the parents. Brilliantly told. Hard to believe the director was only a teenager ! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member gr8 film manages to be both simple & complex no EZ feat. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member A highly underrated film by Samira Makmalbaf. A strong emotional punch, and a powerful film about Muslim culture. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Samira Makhmalbaf was only 17 when she made this impressive exposé of this revolting real story and of the blatant gender inequality in Iran - and it is really shocking to see that those girls were sent home by a social worker after being discovered in such deplorable conditions. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Amazingly mature piece of work for an 18 year old. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Apple

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Movie Info

Synopsis This docudrama tells the story of two adolescent girls (Zahra Naderi, Masume Naderi) in Iran who have been kept imprisoned by their father (Qorban Ali Naderi) in their home from the day they were born. Interacting with a social worker who was notified of the situation, the girls' father voices his conviction that allowing the girls out of the house would lead to their corruption by males and the vices of the outside world. The neglected girls, meanwhile, can barely walk or speak.
Director
Samira Makhmalbaf
Screenwriter
Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Samira Makhmalbaf
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Persian
Release Date (Theaters)
May 27, 1998, Original
Box Office (Gross USA)
$116.8K
Runtime
1h 25m
Aspect Ratio
35mm