In the white utopia of Apartheid South Africa, a boy’s summer holiday becomes a test of his love for his father.

In 1974, in an insulated and sunny white apartheid South Africa, 11-year-old Marnus lives his best life. His amazing father plays a lot with him, his beautiful mother is a devoted spouse, his friend Frikkie is almost a brother and his nanny Doreen discreetly takes care of everyone. But when Mr. Smith, a secretive Chilean colleague of his father, turns up at their home, the peaceful harmony of Marnus’ idyllic life is suddenly shattered. In just five days, his wonderful world begins to crumble and Marnus comes to see that everything he once believed was nothing more than a mirage.

Adapted from South African writer Mark Behr’s 1993 bestselling novel, “The Smell of Apples” offers an intimate and radical insight into the apartheid regime from the perspective of those who benefited from it – whether they were aware of it or not. Behind every privilege and advantage lies a sordid truth that everyone prefers to ignore. By facing that reality head-on, director John Trengove offers us not only a brilliant exploration of human baseness, but also a stark reminder that responsibility is shared with those who pretend it does not exist.

The film had its world premiere in the Platform competition programme at the Toronto International Film Festival.