After the Apocalypse

I had the chance to see the film "After the Apocalypse" a couple of months ago, and though the feminist in me had some difficulties liking the female character for what I considered a certain lack of character, I was quite taken by the atmosphere and the fact that anyone will understand the movie without having to understand English. There were many moments that made the film absolutely worthwhile for they were filled with a sincere humanity, that made one relate to those rugged remains of society. The scene do not only show the endearing side of us, but also the things we are capable of doing, when we are starving... be it for food or for the touch of another person.

Yasuaki Nakajima has done a masterful job of creating a knockout film from obviously limited resources, using a brilliantly executed sound design in place of dialogue and a set of locations that are perfect for his story line. His own acting in the film is also first-rate and I especially liked his scenes with the woman, as well as the excellent opening in which he emerges through a heavy metal door into the moaning wind of some earth-shattering disaster. Rather than spell out what has created the apocalypse, Nakajima wisely treats his film as an allegory -- e.g. if this were the aftermath of a nuclear bomb, wouldn't the survivors become ill with radiation poisoning? The film has added relevance at a time when some world leaders once again seem hell-bent on making war, ignoring its historical consequences. Congratulations on a terrific job.

The very idea of a movie that has no dialogue intrigued me from the start, and 'After the Apocalyse' does not disappoint. It is an innovative, beautiful tale of people trying to connect with each other after a devastating war--without the ability to speak. Yasuaki Nakajima does not shy away from the crasser aspects of post- apocalyptic living, yet he poignantly shows how people must depend on one another in order to survive. The actors demonstrate a terrific range of emotion and somehow, without voices, reveal their characters' distinct personalities. The use of sound is brilliant and Nakajima has a poetic eye. He proves that a lot can be said through very little.

The film follows the simple day-to-day existence of a character who has found three other people after seeming to have thought he was alone. While never explained, there is an assumption that our characters are the ragtag remaining few after some sort of devastating event or disease. The production avoids the cliché of a stark-devastated landscape in favor of one simply devoid of other people. The beauty of this piece lies in the fact that we find ourselves caring deeply about all the characters, despite their actions. A scene of one of our main character finding an old abandoned bathtub and taking a bath is both beautiful and sad at the same time. The most astonishing aspect of this film is that it manages to capture both the subtleties and personalities of a small cast without ever saying a word. There are no huge scenes and no hokey miming. Yet, we worry for the characters. I admit to being something of an easy mark but this film really touched me. I screened it for a film festival and have proceeded to tell people about it for months. It has managed to stay with me in a way that most of the recent mainstream releases (even when I enjoyed them) have not.

It is mesmerizing to watch the interaction of the post apocalyptic survivors. With no dialogue, and reminiscent to the stylings of Jean-Jacques Annaud, we witness the stragglers of humanity and their will to survive. Through body language and primitive drawings we watch the story unfold and relationships form. One woman among four men evolves into tension and jealousy. We also witness love, loyalty and feasting. In spite of the horror that the world has become, the absolute need for companionship is paramount. The results give us hope for mankinds continued existence. A gritty, realistic portrayal of humanity in a new dawn. Great story telling set to a great score.