Apron Strings
In her first feature Samoan-born Aucklander Sima Urale (King Kapisi's sister, FYI) brings an ebullient light touch to a story which traces parallel, richly loaded domestic dramas in two families of cooks: one Sikh, the other dyed-in-the-wool Anglo. Both tales centre on mothers and their fatherless sons.
Lorna (Jennifer Ludlum) is the proprietor of an old-fashioned cake shop, and mother of the listless, unemployed Barry (Scott Wills) who's 35, still living at home and complaining about her cooking. The glamorous Anita (Laila Rouass) hosts an Indian Cooking Show on TV. Her poise is shaken when her student son Michael (Nathan Whitaker), the apple of her eye, starts to "explore his Indian-ness" by getting a job in an Otahuhu curry-house.
- Director:
- Sima Urale (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Shuchi KothariDianne Taylor
- Cast:
- Laila RouassScott WillsJennifer LudlumNathan WhitakerLeela Patel
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Reviews & comments
Flicks, Team
flicksImpressive!
Just got this out on DVD. Wow, couldn't believe that this film is a LOW BUDGET! The cost is only a third and sometimes a quarter of most kiwi films and it looks amazing - I'm studying film. Even on DVD it looked great and at least it has style and taste, unlike many low budget movies. So well done to the filmmakers. A solid simple story with a big heart....
Captivating!
I thoroughly enjoyed the film although the ending didnt feel quite right. Like it didnt feel like "the end" but it also did not feel like it was left kinda open on purpose(leading to a potential sequel) it just didnt feel quite like it had ended properly. Apart from that I really enjoyed it and loved the regular references to food...I think that worked in...
Excellent movie
Captured the tension of disfunctional families very well. Was different from other films with cross-cultural themes, bringing a new perspective. Most actors exceptionally good. I was totally absorbed from beginning to end. Very glad I went and am telling all my family and friends to go. Good luck with getting funding to make some more movies.
You're not in Kiwi-Gothic-ville now, Dr James.
Yes! After over a hundred years of Indian immigration to Aotearoa, we finally have an Indian family sharing centre stage with a Pakeha family in a local feature film. And family dynamics are at the centre of this multi-cultural story in which rounded characters pull away from the clichés of simplistic stereotyping. Jennifer Ludlum and Leela Patel deserve...
Cute little Kiwi film with heavy undetones
I really enjoyed Apron Strings, it's a little predictable but hits on some important issues - mother/son relationships, the differences between generations, and the similarities between cultures. For a low budget film it was well put together, with all round top notch production value. Entertaining and thought provoking, this is a timely film with wide...
New Zealand Herald
pressWith a bit of luck, it will be the first of many movies that grapple with our changing ethnic identity. If only for that reason, and for all its faults, it deserves attention.
Newshub
pressA couple of stand-out performances added impact to an often lightweight script, but overall this is mature debut feature for Sima Urale.
Flicks, Team
flicksNew Zealand Herald
pressWith a bit of luck, it will be the first of many movies that grapple with our changing ethnic identity. If only for that reason, and for all its faults, it deserves attention.
Newshub
pressA couple of stand-out performances added impact to an often lightweight script, but overall this is mature debut feature for Sima Urale.
Impressive!
Just got this out on DVD. Wow, couldn't believe that this film is a LOW BUDGET! The cost is only a third and sometimes a quarter of most kiwi films and it looks amazing - I'm studying film. Even on DVD it looked great and at least it has style and taste, unlike many low budget movies. So well done to the filmmakers. A solid simple story with a big heart....
Captivating!
I thoroughly enjoyed the film although the ending didnt feel quite right. Like it didnt feel like "the end" but it also did not feel like it was left kinda open on purpose(leading to a potential sequel) it just didnt feel quite like it had ended properly. Apart from that I really enjoyed it and loved the regular references to food...I think that worked...
Excellent movie
Captured the tension of disfunctional families very well. Was different from other films with cross-cultural themes, bringing a new perspective. Most actors exceptionally good. I was totally absorbed from beginning to end. Very glad I went and am telling all my family and friends to go. Good luck with getting funding to make some more movies.
You're not in Kiwi-Gothic-ville now, Dr James.
Yes! After over a hundred years of Indian immigration to Aotearoa, we finally have an Indian family sharing centre stage with a Pakeha family in a local feature film. And family dynamics are at the centre of this multi-cultural story in which rounded characters pull away from the clichés of simplistic stereotyping. Jennifer Ludlum and Leela Patel deserve...
Cute little Kiwi film with heavy undetones
I really enjoyed Apron Strings, it's a little predictable but hits on some important issues - mother/son relationships, the differences between generations, and the similarities between cultures. For a low budget film it was well put together, with all round top notch production value. Entertaining and thought provoking, this is a timely film with wide...
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