SYNOPSIS

Short: Two nameless workers of an apple cider factory stumble upon a moment to be human in a world that doesn’t allow it. Long: Apple Gatherers explores the loneliness and dissatisfaction in a labour-intensive world, of two main characters and the brief reprieve they have in moments of real human connection. The moment is fleeting, yet powerful - at the same time, it can be interpreted as the single strand that binds them to their drudgery. Set at the bottom of a hierarchical apple cider factory where every aspect of apple production is meticulously controlled; the Peeler and the Shoveller wrestle with management to hold onto their humanity. The idea for Apple Gatherers came from an encounter with a painting by Sir Stanley Spencer under the same name. It portrays a group of workers in an orchard, and whilst surrounded by nature, their distant looks show total disengagement with their surroundings. This prompted various talks of burn-out, depression and the state of today's workforce. We concluded that lack of time to connect with other human beings, in turn, makes us feel less human.

GÉNÉRIQUE

• Director

  Danielle Rhoda Addae-Boateng

• Production

  Toyosi Fuwa

• Referent

  Emma Cordeaux

• Sales

  Emma Cordeaux