The Ape
The Ape (2009). Directed by Jesper Ganslandt.
The description of this film in the TIFF programme looked very promising and in some ways it is similar to The Disappearance of Alice Creed. The plot is slowly revealed to the viewer and along there are several unexpected turns. The less you know, the more enjoyable the viewing experience will be, or at least that is the hope.
The story begins with Krister (Olle Sarri) waking up in a panic and rushing off to work. Something isn’t quite right and the tension builds with each scene as you try to understand what is happening. As the day goes on Krister’s world becomes darker as we learn more about the situation he finds himself in.
I really dislike this film for several reasons. The direction and story is way too loose and at times, frustrating to watch. Apparently the director, Jesper Ganslandt didn’t tell Olle Sarri what was going to happen from one scene to the next. Sarri was taken to each location where each scene was revealed to him. It’s an interesting experiment but the final result feels like a patchwork of scenes that don’t always mesh together very well.
Olle Sarri offers up his best Jack Bauer performance but his constant grunting and loud breathing through his mouth was really distracting. Yeah, we get it, you’re character is feeling very anxious. Now stop breathing through your mouth!
Why is The Ape the title of the film? Is a scene devoted to a painting significant? Can some of Krister’s actions be explained? Unlucky for me and the rest of the audience in Toronto, the director was present for a Q&A following the screening.
Jesper Ganslandt barely answered any of the questions that the audience asked him. He kept turning the questions around and asked the audience what they thought a scene meant or what an object in a scene signified. Even his answer about the title was half-baked. I was dumbfounded. In the time that I’ve been attending TIFF, this was hands down, the worst film and screening that I’ve attended.
Films are rated from 1 to 4 stars.
Posted in 2009 TIFF at 7:32 PM
