Original-Cin Q&A: Fingernails director Christos Nikou on Love Apps and Annie Murphy's Dance Moves
By Bonnie Laufer
Fresh from the Toronto International Film Festival, Fingernails is a sci-fi romantic drama starring Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmed, Jeremy Allen White, Luke Wilson and Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy.
The film centers around Anna (Buckley) and Ryan (White) who are assured they are meant to be together, courtesy of the algorithm of a new and much hailed technology. The only hitch: Anna isn’t sure she’s feeling it. Then she takes a position at a love testing institute, and meets Amir (Ahmed).
Jessie Buckley and Riz Ahmed in the sci-fi feature Fingernails.
Fingernails is the second feature and first English-language film from director/writer/producer Christos Nikou and was shot entirely in and around Toronto.
Our Bonnie Laufer had a short chat with Nikou.
Fingernails premieres on Apple TV+, as well as in additional select theaters, on Friday, November 3.
ORIGINAL-CIN: This movie really makes you think. Do we really need technology to tell us if we're really compatible? What are your thoughts?
CHRISTOS NIKOUS: One million percent we don't, but the thing is that people are doing it. Look at the millions of people who are using apps, swiping with their fingers and nails right or left in order to find the perfect match. It’s our new love-match reality.
O-C: Was there anything in particular that prompted you to write this script?
NIKOUS: I was always trying to understand what is love? I was always trying to understand why love is so difficult. Why has love changed so much in the 2000’s especially with the creation of these apps that match people.
I personally have never used them. I am fascinated by people who use social media in order to meet other people. They're trying to find love, not the wrong way, but in a way that for me doesn't make sense. I feel that you need to follow your instinct. Love is an instinctive thing and it sparks a connection (or not) when you meet in person.
O-C: In the film we meet couples who have been together three years, three months, whatever it is. Clearly there was a draw that brought them together. Why do you think they need that validation with a test?
NIKOUS: I think that we are all trying to prove things, even sometimes when we're married, people still need some kind of validation.
So we're trying to prove that they will stay with this person forever, but is it true? What connects us and why? Even after many years together people change. I don't know. I'm not married, but it was something I wanted to explore with this film.
O-C: Did you ever hit the jackpot with this cast. What was it like for you to work with this group of actors because truly none of them have huge egos! That had to have been a bonus?
NIKOUS: That was the biggest bonus! (laughs). You are right, none of them have egos.
Believe me, I know how lucky I was. First of all they are amazing humans, and then they are amazing collaborative actors too? I was very lucky. All of them were almost our first options. Everybody really took to the subject matter and wanted to work together and give their all for this project. I just hope that the audiences will feel their bond on the screen when they watch it.
I also loved working with all of the Canadian actors who joined the project, they were amazing. I’ve got to give it up to Annie Murphy, who in my opinion is the best dancer I’ve ever seen
O-C: Her dance moves in the movie were great!
She was perfect. I told her that I had never seen anybody dance better. All the Canadian actors were good and I hope that they will have the chance to make many more movies here.
O-C: Maybe Annie has a future on Dancing With the Stars?
NIKOUS: Yes, she absolutely has to do that.