‘What makes a good apology?’ Writer, director, and producer Kristof Bilsen showcases a unique idea – exploring the nature behind apologies in this richly-researched documentary feature. The Apologist asks the audience a vital question – what does it take to apologise? A premise which Bilsen became inspired by through the former El Salvador President and journalist, Mauricio Funes’ public apology. Funes’ historic speech in 2012 was emotional and heartfelt. We watch and hear him apologise for the murders and human rights violations committed during the 1981 El Mozote massacre. Although, like in most apologies, there always remains a certain doubt over its true purpose and sincerity.
The Apologist certainly makes us question our own actions and society’s viewpoint on what should be considered the simple gesture of apologising. But for many it can become a stigma or a burden to apologise. Apologies are so important yet heavily overlooked. The Apologist highlights what many of us forget to realise. To apologise means to be vulnerable. It also means to face up to facts and right your own wrongdoings. But with a history of political figures failing to own up to their mistakes – does it reflect society’s relationship with apologies?
Deeply Personal
Bilsen films the rehearsals behind Valentijn Dhaenens’ and Musia Mwankumi’s play, titled Shame Bone which delves into Belgium’s colonial past. Mwankumi’s deeply personal connection with stories from the past creates an emotional watch here. Dhaenens plays the lead role of ‘The Apologist’ throughout the documentary. This footage is interspersed with Bilsen’s filming of a Belgium Commission. This conference examines the Independent State of Congo with Belgium’s colonial history in Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi. With a plan to unite political parties and uncover where the apologies lie.
Bilsen’s documentary is also deeply personal – delving into his childhood relationship with apologies for which he states it’s ‘something I needed to hear’ growing up. His voiceover narration brings us closer to his story. As well as the personal reasons behind this documentary, with supporting evidence of Belgium’s colonial history. Interestingly, as we learn throughout this documentary – apologies don’t even have to be put into words. Apologies can be in the form of gestures too.
Image: Limerick Films
Strong Examples From History
An extremely strong example that stands out in The Apologist is German Chancellor, Willy Brandt’s action of kneeling at The Monument to the Ghetto Heroes in Warsaw, Poland in 1970. The act was mostly seen as an unspoken apology – asking for forgiveness solely through action. Whilst some consider the motion spontaneous, others considered this to be a planned gesture, perhaps to gain positive publicity. This scene in particular helps us consider the rhetoric around public political apologies as we question their real purpose and sincerity.
Maybe an apology is not an end, but a beginning.
Bilsen on apologies.
The Apologist proves that apologies can be so powerful that they have the ability to change the entire trajectory of a bad situation. Its evidence is backed with extremely relevant examples throughout history. Extensive archival footage provides a deep dive into apologies from grainy footage in history and news coverage reports to present-day findings, including first-hand interviews and zoom calls, which places the audience directly into the heart of the action. Throughout The Apologist we feel included and part of the research. We feel like one of the crew members, delving into the history of apologies and exploring what it means to us.
In-depth Research
There’s footage stemming back from when Bilsen first worked with Dhaenens in 2020 showcasing that The Apologist is a documentary which has spent years in the making. It’s also important to note Bilsen’s dedicated filming process behind the committee spanned across three years’ worth of footage. With such extensive and in-depth research, this documentary succeeds at presenting the right balance between personal and factual.
The Apologist is clearly well-researched. Different avenues are explored and we hear from a long list of guest speakers. From interviewing school children to exploring history through researchers from Kings College London. And hearing from author and academic, Dr. Tania Cañas to many more speakers. However, the most interesting discovery is the catalogue of past apologies which the Tilburg School of Humanities Professor Schaafsma and her colleagues have collated over the years. Their organised filing system sees the apologies categorised.
They spent years trying to make sense of them and have coded them neatly by country, year of delivery, whether they succeeded or not, written or spoken, and victims present or not. Hundreds and hundreds of them catalogued in one spreadsheet of guilt.
Bilsen on the apologies collated by the Tilburg School of Humanities.
Bilsen’s documentary encourages a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating conversation on apologies. From personal apologies to public performance apologies by politicians. Apologies is not only a rare topic of conversation but explores a subject that we never realised we needed to hear… until now.
This documentary may have a niche audience, but it targets the intellectual viewers who wish to ask questions and challenge the ‘norm.’ The Apologist is a deeply thought-provoking documentary which provides a thorough insight into our relationship with apologies.
Rating: 3 Stars
The Apologist celebrated its world premiere at Sheffield DocFest 2026. This documentary is presented by Limerick Films in a co-production with Tangerine Tree, Warboys Films, and Wrong Men. Discover more at the official website.
You can read more reviews from Sheffield DocFest including Kikuyu Land here.
