Synopsis
A character driven story, Apron Strings explores the fine line between nurture and control that marks mother-son relationships across cultures.

Set against the backdrop of Auckland’s multi-cultural southern suburbs, Apron Strings is a parallel story of two families and two cultures. It grapples with the boundaries of nurture and control, mothering and smothering, and how we sometimes have to let go of our individual sense of what is ‘right’, to do what is ‘good’ for all.

At the heart of the film are three women whose lives and livelihoods revolve around food. Lorna in her old fashioned cake-shop; Tara in her no-frills curry-house; and Anita on her stylish Indian cooking show.

About the Film and the Director
Apron Strings is a long awaited debut feature for Vaele Sima Urale. The social issues raised by the film, as it examines the tender and yet incredibly complex relationship between mother and child, are issues that everyone can relate to. It skillfully deals with issues of racism, homophobia and denial without preaching or turning sappy.

Director Vaele Sima Urale has won national and international awards for her films, which explore social and political issues. Having written and directed her own films, as well as documentaries and music videos, she has more than 15 years experience in the industry. Her accolades include the Silver Lion for Best Short Film at the Venice Film Festival for O Tamaiti (The Children) (1996).

Vaele Sima Urale on Apron Strings: “I was gripped by the story, its characters and the social issues which were raised. It also gave me a wonderful opportunity to explore the richness and cultural diversity that this story explored.”

Director: Vaele Sima Urale
Writers: Shuchi Kothari and Dianne Taylor
Cast: Laila Rouass, Scott Wills, Jennifer Ludlam, Nathan Whitaker, Leela Patel, Jodie Rimmer
Year: 2008
Language: English with Chinese subtitles
Duration: 89 mins
Category: IIB

Festival – Highlight
Qantas Film and Television Awards 2009 - Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design

故事簡介：
圍裙‧圍綑是一個圍繞人物推展的故事，細膩地探討不同文化背景的母子之間介乎培育與操控的微妙關係。

圍裙‧圍綑以奧克蘭南部的多元文化郊區為背景，雙線描述兩種文化和兩個家庭的故事。電影摸索培育與操控、母愛的溫暖和窒悶之間的界線。原來有時候，當我們放下個人對一些所謂“正當”事情的執著，便會達成皆大歡喜的“好事”。

故事核心是三個終日穿著圍裙以「食」為生的女人：經營舊式糕餅店的洛娜、主理家鄉咖哩餐館的塔拉和特色印度烹飪節目女主播安妮妲。

導演與製作：
圍裙‧圍綑是導演維莉森瑪‧姚魯期待已久的首部故事片。片中提出的社會問題，檢視了母子之間溫馨而又萬分複雜的關係，也是每個人都能身同感受的。影片同時巧妙地處理種族歧視、同性戀恐懼及逃避現實的問題，既不說教亦不煽情。

導演維莉森瑪‧姚魯探討社會及政治問題的電影作品，贏得了不少國內外獎項。她擁有十五年以上的製作經驗，自編自導短片、紀錄片、音樂錄像。她最負盛名的作品包括贏得威尼斯電影節最佳短片銀獅獎的孩子們(O Tamaiti, 1996)。

維莉森瑪‧姚魯談圍裙‧圍綑：『我被故事的人物及它所提出的社會問題深深吸引住。它給了我寶貴的機會，去探討其中豐富的內涵和多元文化的面貌。』

導演/編劇：維莉森瑪‧姚魯
編劇：舒池‧高化利、戴安‧泰來
演員：麗娜‧盧阿斯、史葛‧韋利斯、珍妮花‧路德嵐、彌頓‧韋特嘉、莉娜‧巴桃、朱迪‧維瑪
年分：2008
語言：英語附中文字幕
片長：89分鐘
級數 : IIB

參展及提名（摘要）：
澳航影視獎2009－最佳男主角、最佳女主角、最佳攝影、最佳製作設計