Apolonia, Apolonia

About This Artwork

Apolonia, Apolonia (2022/2024) is a highly acclaimed documentary directed by Lea Glob, capturing 13 years in the life of painter Apolonia Sokol, winning the top prize at IDFA 2022 and shortlisting for an Oscar. Critics praise the film for its intimate, dual-portrait study of female artistry, friendship, and the challenges of the commercial art world, balancing raw, personal struggle with artistic ambition. Key Critical Perspectives: Artistic Coming-of-Age: Critics lauded the film as a captivating "coming-of-age" story, following Sokol from a struggling art student to a recognized painter navigating commercial pressures and patronage. Intimate "Two-Pronged" Portrait: Reviews often highlight how the film morphs into a joint portrait, exploring the evolving relationship between Glob (filmmaker) and Sokol (subject) over more than a decade. Critique of the Art World: The film received praise for exposing the "patriarchal," commercial, and sometimes exploitative nature of the modern art industry, particularly through the lens of figures like art dealer Stefan Simchowitz. Experimental Style: Some critics noted its non-traditional, non-fly-on-the-wall approach, which can feel intimate, though a few found the 13-year scope disorienting or the subject sometimes distant. Acclaim: With a Metacritic score indicating "generally favorable" reviews, critics generally lauded it as a profound, poignant exploration of "life itself"

Artist

Lea Glob

Location

IDFA, Amsterdam

Date experienced

Friday, March 27, 2026