'at Five in the Afternoon takes the viewer on a harsh, at times poetic journey into the heart of Afghanistan today, serving as both an impassioned demand for women's rights and a searing portrait of a country left in ruins after its liberation from the Taliban. 'Variety

Winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes last year, this visually stunning film from 23-year-old Samira Makhmalbaf (Blackboards, MIFF 2000) is laced with gentle humour and poetic dialogue.

After the fall of the Taliban, a young woman, Noqreh, is allowed to attend school, against the beliefs of her stern father. One day in a politics class, Noqreh voices her dream of becoming president of her country. Young poet, Mohebi, a refugee who has returned from Pakistan and moved into the dilapidated building Noqreh shares with her family, encourages the young woman to pursue her ambitions.

A courageous and compelling work that recalls one of MIFF 2003's discoveries, Osama.

Joy of Madness, a making-of At Five in the Afternoon, directed by Samira's 15-year-old sister, Hana, is also screening at MIFF this year.

D/S Samira Makhmalbaf P Mohsen Makhmalbaf WS Wild Bunch L Farsi, Kurdish, Africaans w/English subtitles TD 35mm/Col/2003/105mins

Samira Makhmalbaf was born in Tehran, Iran in 1980. Films include: The Apple (MIFF 1999), Blackboards (MIFF 2000), 11'09'01 (2002, co-dir).