‘Apolonia, Apolonia’ Review | Lea Glob masterfully captures the restless journey of a self-doubting artist
DENMARK, EUROPE: 'Apolonia, Apolonia' is an award-winning Danish documentary by Lea Glob and takes us through the evolution of French painter, Apolonia Sokol.
Filmed over 13 years, it documents her bumpy career and reflects upon what it means to be a contemporary woman artist in a world of patriarchy and capitalism.
Apolonia Sokol's canvas and Lea Glob's lens find ways to tell stories
A person's achievements and failures are often looked at from the surface. However, the struggles and the agony stay buried inside the person's memories.
It's only after years have passed, that we look back and see how far we have come and what we have lost behind. We don't have cameras around us to capture our highs and lows, but Apolonia Sokol did.
Apolonia was born to two artists in a Parisian underground theater. She grew up in bohemian culture, surrounded by poets, artists, actors, and political activists.
While pursuing her diploma from Beaux-Arts de Paris, she met Lea Glob, a Danish filmmaker in 2009. Glob was instantly intrigued by Apolonia's life and she started filming her.
Her lens captured it all, Apolonia's heartbreak, her struggles with never-ending debts, and her fight to save the theatre. But most of all, she captured her journey of carving out her way into the art world.
Apolonia's artistic journey from Paris to Denmark takes center stage
In this captivating film, Apolonia's artistic odyssey takes center stage. Battling against the critical atmosphere of Paris, she grapples with her professor's remark that her paintings lack the allure seen in her personality. Feeling the need to broaden her horizons, she embarks on a journey through the vibrant art scenes of New York and Los Angeles.
While holding a degree in arts, Apolonia finds herself at a crossroads in Paris, torn between the pursuit of artistic integrity and the allure of commercial success. The move to New York, promising opportunities, becomes a double-edged sword as the pressures of capitalism gradually stifle the artist within her.
The imposition of monthly quotas starts eroding the essence of her art, prompting her to question the true purpose of her creations.
The impactful statement, "Why buy art when you can buy the artist?" becomes a catalyst for change in Apolonia's life. The film delves into her struggle to liberate herself from the shackles of capitalism, leading her back to Denmark. There, she rediscovers her artistic soul, producing works that authentically inspire her.
Apolonia's journey unfolds on canvas as a reflection of her escape from societal norms. Her figurative paintings, born out of newfound artistic freedom, challenge stereotypes and empower women.
The film concludes with her art gaining recognition as 'impactful,' addressing crucial issues like feminism and queer identity.
Beyond a tale of artistic evolution, Apolonia's story becomes a profound exploration of the artist's battle against external pressures, culminating in a return to authenticity and solace in her craft.
'Apolonia, Apolonia' captures the lives of two women
It's not just the story of Apolonia, the popular French figurative painter. It's the evolution of two women- one in front of the camera, and one behind it.
“Whether I captured Apolonia with my camera or Apolonia captured me in her theater,” says Lea as she found herself so immersed in Apolonia's life that she couldn't stop filming her until 13 years had passed.
The two women, together, talked about art, relationships, motherhood, sexuality, patriarchy and capitalism.
'Apolonia, Apolonia' is a merger of two lives and progression. Through 13 years of peak youth, Apolonia and Lea shared a life- up, close, and personal.
The restlessness of a self-doubting artist and her life's trajectory woven by her life's experience, harsh critique, and choices have been beautifully captured by Lea Glob in her work of a lifetime.