Apron Strings

Colour can be the visual equivalent of spice. There’s a great deal of both in New Zealand director Sima Urale’s first feature-length film.

– Listener reviewer David Larsen, 16 August 2008

It was selected in the first place because it's such a strong film. It was irresistible to put it in the opening spot when we were celebrating 40 years of the Auckland Film Festival — to be able to open with a strong Auckland film was very appealing to us.

– Auckland Film Festival director Bill Gosden on giving Apron Strings the festival's opening spot, The NZ Herald, 6 August 2008

It’s a character script. I’m not interested in plot-driven stories so that’s why I said yes.

– Director Sima Urale, in part one of the making of clip

I loved the script. It’s not very often that you get the opportunity to have a role like this, even though it means taking off all my makeup, which I seem to have no trouble doing on stage…

– Actor Jennifer Ludlum describing her role of Lorna, in part one of the making of clip

From the quaint kitsch wedding cakes to the exotic Indian delicacies, the food is all shot as beautifully as the entire film. Director of Photography Rewa Harre switches from infusing the film with the sumptuous golden light of the TV set and the curry house to the pastel haze of the suburban house scenes, dictating mood with ease and grace.

– Website Flicks, in a three star review, 14 August 2008

It’s always the mother’s fault.

– Tara (Leela Patel) points out how society is hard on mothers

Everything is done well from the cinematography and the dialogue to the acting, with Laila Rouass, as glamorous TV star Anita, and Jennifer Ludlum, as Lorna, the long-suffering cake-shop owner, both anchoring the film with solid performances.

– Metro reviewer Graham Adams, August 2008, page 106