Thanks for the recommendation Mick. I'll look for those to see if I find any of the two.
It's been a long time since I watched an Iranian movie, let alone one of Makhmalbaf's. The last one was Kandahar. Did you watch that one Mick? And if you did what did you think? Unfortunately, I've not seen Sib.
Makhmalbaf is one of the best directors, he often uses regular people in his movies and brings out the best in them. Sometimes, these people become even famous actors and actresses after his movies. Bearing in mind all the problems that a filmmaker would have to go through to be able to screen his/her movie here, his critical view of Iranian society has caused him many problems from government and conservative right. His daughter, Samira seems to be following her dad's job quite well from what I've heard.