From Variety · Guy Lodge · · 50s
The Smell of Apples Review
John Trengove's film exposes apartheid-era privilege through a child's chilling perspective.
In brief
John Trengove's film exposes apartheid-era privilege through a child's chilling perspective. A South African director's film reveals apartheid-era privilege through a child's unflinching view of inequality. Originally reported by Variety.
Director returns after disappointment
South African director John Trengove follows up his disappointing sophomore feature 'Manodrome' with this adaptation of Mark Behr's 1993 novel.
Period detail precision
Production designer Birrie Le Roux creates an eerie mid-1970s white South Africa with gawkily short uniforms and ickily patterned kitchen tiles.
Director's visual style
DP Lennert Hillege captures the setting in softly lit, summer-burnt perfection without nostalgia.
Child's perspective
The film follows an 11-year-old boy's growing awareness of apartheid-era inequalities without innocence.
Chilling reality
The child's view reveals how much he doesn't know about the systemic abuses supporting his affluent family life.
What to remember
A South African director's film reveals apartheid-era privilege through a child's unflinching view of inequality.
