You never know what the past holds… A deflty written piece of magical realism, Aporia, by Jared Moshé, will stick with you long after the end credits roll.
North America’s largest genre film festival offered its audience the world premiere of Aporia, the latest feature of LA-based diector Jared Moshé, who traveled with his crew to Montréal, Canada, to celebrate the launch of his mesmerizing science-fiction piece.
Since losing her husband (Edi Gathegi), Sophie (Judy Greer) has struggled to manage grief, a full-time job, and parenting her devastated daughter, but when a former physicist (Payman Maadi) reveals a secret time-bending machine, Sophie will be faced with an impossible choice.
The story catches Sophie at an interesting inflection point in her life. She is grappling with the death of her beloved husband and all she used to cherish seems to be vanishing. This is when she turns to her husband’s best friend, who had been putting together an incredible time blending machine, that they will end up trying.
What is most compelling about the Aporia is how director Jared Moshé approaches science fiction. Do not expect your typical sci-fi imagery nor a highly sophisticated machine, or futuristic sound design.
The film succeeds in infusing science fiction into reality, in a kind of magical realism. We are presented with an absolutely extraordinary machine, in the hands of ordinary characters. Although they grasp the significance of their discovery, they are not driven by a purpose beyond themselves, like superheroes, but settle for reflecting on how this tool can serve their own lives, and more particularly how it can help them overcome their sorrows. By anchoring the story in reality, as close as possible to the characters, the film instantly creates a strong sense of empathy with the characters, and the viewers identify with each of their reflections.
There is nothing fancy about the film’s direction and the cinematography may lack inspiration sometimes. Yet, this simplicity only reinforces realism and keeps getting us closer to the characters, and especially to a trio of gripping performances. The couple formed by Judy Greer and Edi Gathegi works like a charm. The more possibilities technology opens up for them via the incredible machine, the more their humanity shines through. The supporting cast also gives great performances, especially from Whitney Morgan Cox who is absolutely perfect, as well as tremendously mature, sensitive and sympathetic performances by young actors Faithe Herman and Veda Cienfuegos, who are definitely talents to keep an eye out for.
Story wise, along deflty written twists and turns, as the characters contemplate altering their past, there is a deep sense of tragedy that underscores the film and their trajectories. Yet, director Jared Mosgé gracefully balances some existential questioning and highly successful touches of humor.
In the end, Aporia uses its offbeat concept to reveal the humanity of its characters. The film also humbly raises questions as to what is it to be a good parent. We wonder what became of all those characters when the credits start to roll but one thing is certain: it is a film that will make you want to go home and hug your loved ones, and that will stick with you for long.
The 27th Fantasia Film Festival is running in Montréal, Québec, Canada from July 20th, 2023 to August 9th, 2023. Learn more here.
Aporia is due for release in North America on August 11th, 2023 (disributed by Well Go USA).
