One of the first films of the Iranian New Wave, The Apple (Sib, 1998) wass the extraordinary debut feature of Samira Makhmalbaf, daughter of one of Iran's most respected filmmakers Mohsen Makhmalbaf, and made when she was just seventeen.

Based on a bizarre but compelling true story, the film tells the story of twin twelve year-old sisters kept virtual prisoners all their lives by their parents, who fear that exposure to the sun will cause them to fade. In an extraordinary move, the lead roles are played by their true life equivalent, including the two sisters, who are bewitching throughout. Told with unaffected charm and natural humour, The Apple won the London Film Festival's Sutherland Trophy for best first feature and its young director went on to become one of Iran's most acclaimed filmmakers.

The Apple has been previously released on DVD by Artificial Eye, a disc whose discontinuation has seen its value rise considerably, something this re-release should effectively undercut. Sourced from a French MK2 transfer, the new DVD will be released by Artificial Eye on 7th June 2010 at the RRP of £15.99. The only extra we can find even provisionally listed at present is a trailer, and even that's not on the preview disc.