Director Sofie Benoot explores the complex and spiritual relationships between humans and the natural world through her agent Siân Phillips in this jigsaw puzzle of a documentary about the origins of her kidney stone.
As Apple Cider Vinegar opens with a series of candid nature shots, viewers quickly realize that we are seeing various live cams. A tall bird carefully treads through a pond at nighttime. The camera pans to the right revealing a drinking elephant. Next we’re taken to the nest of a bald eagle. Then, a birdhouse on a cliff overlooking a highway, then a split screen of four different cams. We will return to check in on these cameras over the course of the film as Phillips, a former narrator of nature documentaries, relays the director’s dialog.
To introduce viewers to the crux of her story, Benoot shows footage of a kidney stone operation (presumably her own), explaining that upon examining and testing the stone, she learned that it holds Weddellite, a mineral that’s also found at the bottom of the Weddell Sea near Antarctica, and wonders at its presence in two such different places.
What follows is an exploration of the nexus between rocks and humans. The film offers different perspectives and stories of people who live among and work with rocks, our common link being what’s under our feet and in our bodies. In the course of this journey, we’re brought to numerous locations across the globe, including the island of Fogo in Cape Verde, rock quarries in Palestine, the fault lines in California, and the eroding coasts of Yorkshire. It’s not a common cautionary tale of climate panic or a traditional narration on the behaviors of flora and fauna, but a contemplation on the mystery and beauty of nature.
By far, the film’s greatest visual accomplishment includes breathtaking shots depicting the majesty of ancient and new rock faces. A particularly imposing sequence involved scenes of Fogo, an island in Cape Verde, where volcanic rock from a 2014 eruption has become a permanent guest for the people who live there. One shot has it protruding into a doorway like so much black coral on otherwise spotless tile. Cut to a wider angle, and it’s spilling through two doorways behind a long, tidy dining room table and chairs. The sight is so bizarrely out of place it’s mentally hard to accept it’s real.
Another enjoyable element was the sense of fun the director infused by engaging directly with the audience from the jump, as Benoot tried out different title fonts and posing possible names for the film aloud. She finally settled on Apple Cider Vinegar, stating it helped to treat her kidney stone. Small moments that other directors might have edited out, such as behind the camera coughs or the repeated pronunciation attempts at a name, were kept in and added authenticity.
My one qualm with the film was that it wasn’t always clear whose experience was being recounted—Benoot or Phillips, which blurred my understanding of who experienced some of the anecdotes. Overall, it was an interesting philosophical journey mixed with sporadic scientific input from field experts. Recommended.
Which library audiences should see Apple Cider Vinegar?
This documentary would fit in with any community library film programming that wishes to spark conversations on the roles and context of humans in the wider natural world. It could work as an Earth Day pick or for programming centered on environmentalism, natural science, or rocks and minerals. Its reflective tone and unconventional structure also make it a strong option for film clubs that enjoy more meditative or experimental documentaries, particularly those that invite interpretation and discussion rather than presenting clear-cut arguments. Libraries serving audiences interested in global perspectives will also find value in the film’s movement across locations such as Cape Verde, Palestine, California, and Yorkshire, offering a sense of interconnectedness that can resonate across communities. While it may not appeal to viewers looking for a traditional narrative or fast-paced documentary, it is well suited for patrons who appreciate visually driven, philosophical works that linger and invite conversation.
What academic subjects or media education courses would benefit from this film?
University academic librarians may find this film a valuable part of their film collection. Courses the film may contribute useful discussion to include philosophy, geology, environmental science, and biology. In addition, the film’s structure and narrative approach make it relevant for film studies or media studies courses, particularly those examining experimental documentary techniques, voice, and authorship. Its blending of personal narrative with scientific and observational elements provides an opportunity to discuss how documentaries construct meaning and perspective. The film could also support interdisciplinary coursework that connects science and the humanities, encouraging students to think about the relationship between the physical world and human experience. While it is not a traditional instructional documentary, its open-ended and contemplative style makes it a useful supplement for discussion-based learning and critical analysis.
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