At the age of 7 , Makhmalbaf appeared in The Cyclist directed by Mohsen Makhmalbaf , her father . Makhmalbaf has been noted for her film style which portrays an “ archaic oriental tradition of shadow theatre , which , though deceptively simple to the western eye , has a way of lingering like an unsolved enigma for ever after . ” At the age of 17 , after directing two video productions Makhmalbaf went on to direct her first feature film , '' La Pomme '' ( '' The Apple ) '' . Makhmalbaf presented her 1998 film '' La Pomme '' at Cannes Film Festival . In an interview at the London Film Festival in 1998 , Samira Makhmalbaf stated that she felt that her film '' The Apple '' owed its existence to the new circumstances and changed atmosphere that prevailed in Iran as a result of the Khatami presidency . National Film Theatre , 12 November 1998 . Makhmalbaf presented her 1998 film '' La Pomme '' ( '' The Apple ) '' at Cannes Film Festival . The Apple was invited to more than 100 international film festivals in a period of two years , while going to the screen in more than 30 countries . In 2000 she was a member of the jury at the 22nd Moscow International Film Festival
22nd Moscow International Film Festival
22nd Moscow International Film Festival
Samira Makhmalbaf