Producer Joshua Powell on the Social Sci-Fi Statement of Apotheosis

Science Fiction allows us to breach social issues without a direct connection that attaches blame to those in the present. It’s a perfect vehicle for filmmakers to air their personal opinions without alienating a segment of the public or being too heavy-handed. District 9, Blade Runner, Ex Machina, Her, all of these science fiction films have captivated us with their aesthetics but equally prominent is the message that they communicate about how technology can alter us individually and collectively. The scenes depicted in a film of this genre are often dramatic and full of danger. Filming these can be equally as dangerous, particularly so in the time of Covid. Like the aforementioned productions, Apotheosis is dazzling to watch while implying that society should be mindful of what it will sacrifice from humanity with the hope of achieving progress. Producer Joshua Powell was immediately intrigued by the potential of this film and quickly agreed to join on to empower its creation. Having started his professional career as a production assistant Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok, the spectacle of a grand film like Apotheosis is not the most intriguing element for Powell. Rather, the real magic for him as a producer is in the different segments of the production team unifying their skill and artistry to create something which envelopes an audience. There is romance in filmmaking for those in the industry who never set foot in front of the camera.

Apotheosis is an easy jump for fans of Gattaca, the Oscar nominated 1997 film starring Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. Both films touch on the topic of genetic engineering and space travel but Apotheosis takes a more visual stance on how this is implemented. Still, much of the story is about the psychological aspect of this pressure on actual people. The conflict rests in how far a person will let themselves be pushed to achieve a goal. Whether it’s present-day sports competition or the desire to be an astronaut in the future, this confrontation is evergreen. Director Max Pearce’s vision of the future is one in which genetic engineering in humans is commonplace and discrimination exists between the engineered and non-engineered of our species. Rene Leech stars as Selene, the protagonist of Apotheosis, an aerospace engineer who decides to compete against genetically engineered participants in a program which will populate the first space colony, one of whom is her friend Fabrizzio (Dor Gvirtsman of Primetime Emmy-nominated series S.W.A.T.).

  The most harrowing moments in the film occur in space and in the water. Producer Joshua Powell, a licensed scuba diver himself, led the safety training for filming of the underwater pool shoots. However, Powell stipulates that the greatest looming danger is unseen and will likely go unappreciated by audiences in the future. Apotheosis was shot during the Covid-19 pandemic and the responsibility for Covid compliance, and thus the safety of cast and crew during this historic time, rested on Joshua. He communicates, “This production happened at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, and consequently the restrictions in place regarding filming were intense. There was a great deal of concern about the virus and the producing team wanted everyone to come to set feeling safe and secure enough to work. We couldn’t afford to take any chances; the risk of the entire production being shut down if just one person tested positive was simply too high, and we all knew it. It was an incredibly stressful responsibility to shoulder, but it was necessary for the production. Crew members had to wear masks at all times during shooting and submit a negative Covid-19 test up to 36 hours before shooting started. If a negative test wasn’t submitted, that person would not be allowed on set. We kept track of every submission, and on set, we would keep an eye on crew to make sure masks were being worn at all times.  Certain shooting guidelines stipulated that visors had to be worn when within six feet of talent. As a result, only the Director and Department heads were issued with them. Everyone else was told to avoid interacting with talent when they weren’t wearing their masks.” 

  There’s a palpable tension throughout Apotheosis. Perhaps it’s subjective but, it almost seems that the anxiety the entire world felt during Covid is infused into the tone of this film. It’s certainly without question that Apotheosis is a remarkable film that surrounds an audience with eye-catching scenery while planting the seeds for questions that will surface long after the film’s final scene has concluded. 

Writer: Sharon Howe