Apples

Apples, a 2020 film directed by Christos Nikou, is a unique cinematic experience that creatively merges elements of drama and dark comedy to tell a compelling narrative driven by existential concepts and human pathos. The movie is a cerebral, sensory exploration of memory, identity, and the intricate fragility of human relationships. With a multifaceted performance from Aris Servetalis along with strong supporting roles from Sofia Georgovassili and Anna Kalaitzidou, Apples weaves a captivating visual and emotional tapestry soaked in melancholy, absurdity, and human connection.

Apples unfolds in an unspecified city and time, but with technology and aesthetics reminiscent of our past. The world of Apples is undergoing a strange pandemic, not one like COVID-19 though, but of sudden-onset amnesia wherein victims find themselves in a state of forgetfulness, with no recollection of their past, their identities, or any sense of self. In the epicentre of such a crisis we meet our protagonist, played brilliantly by Aris Servetalis, known only as Man. He becomes a victim of the illness but without anyone to claim him, he is eased into a therapeutic program designed to create new memories and identity.

These new memories are formed through systematic routines and tasks, which include listening to music, watching movies, going to parties, even getting a pet – in this case, a hilariously large and equally forgetful goldfish. The intent of these often quirky and strange assignments is to provide patients with experiences that mould a new form of identity and stimulate sociability, but the question asked by the film is if this can be a valid replacement for organic memory.

Most of these experiences are documented by Man with a Polaroid camera, producing a photograph album of prescriptive memories. The irony and the poignant commentary on the nature of photo-sharing in the social media era are not lost on the audience. The film often presents emotional scenarios underlined by subtle humor, revealing Chrisot Nikou's delicate balance of pathos and comedy that seasons the narrative with light and dark hues.

Throughout the course of the movie, Servetalis delivers a nuanced performance that is both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking. As the Man, Servetalis descends into a state of loss and rediscovery, grappling with the challenge of creating a new identity amidst an identity crisis. Servetalis' subtle expressiveness and his magnetic presence on screen anchors the movie, inviting viewers on a journey that explores the thin line between reality and artificiality.

The cinematography, led by Bartosz Swiniarski, is dappled with melancholic hues of blues and greys, illuminating the protagonist's journey against the city's muted aesthetics. It beautifully captures the atmospheric nature of this world, with its near-empty streets, quaint surroundings, and eerie calmness, offering aesthetically compelling visuals that complement the narrative's ambient feel.

Parallel to Man's story, we have the character of Woman, played by Sofia Georgovassili, who supplies the narrative with a contrasting perspective on the proceedings. Georgovassili’s character shows a different way to process the amnesia epidemic, leading to some of the movie's most gripping scenes.

Anna Kalaitzidou, in a supporting role, brings an additional layer of personality to the film that enhances the emotional fabric of the story. The ensemble of characters and their individual narratives interweave seamlessly to depict different sides of the existential spectrum, all grappling with the abstract concept of memory and the relative nature of personal identity.

Apples is an allegorical film that beautifully encapsulates the human condition and our dependence on memories, often blurring the lines between absurdity and poignant realism. It cryptically questions who we intrinsically are in the absence of our past, and what becomes of us when our memories are lost. It's replete with subtle symbols, wry humour, and evocative moments that linger in your mind long after the end credits roll.

Apples is not just a film; it's a unique meditation on humanity invited by Christos Nikou's intrinsic storytelling. Its subtle, affecting power comes from its balance of humour and melancholy, its artistic style, and its philosophical underpinnings. The film doesn't hand out easily digestible answers on a platter but leaves viewers with contemplative thoughts that navigate the high seas of the human psyche, memory, and identity. It's a film that commands to be experienced, dissected, and remembered.