Institute History
Description
Determined to fulfill his life’s mission, 26-year-old John Allen Chau embarks on a dangerous adventure across the globe to convert the uncontacted tribe of North Sentinel Island to Christianity, while a detective from the Andaman Islands races to stop him before he does harm to himself or the tribe.
Based on the tragic true story of doomed Christian missionary John Chau (Sky Yang), this harrowing drama examines an idealistic dreamer driven by overzealous faith and a reckless desire for adventure. Last Days follows Chau’s escape from the grasp of his strict father (Ken Leung) and subsequent radicalization by a macho missionary (Toby Wallace) who gives him a sense of purpose. Justin Lin, director of five films in the Fast & Furious franchise, switches gears and returns to the themes of his audacious debut, Better Luck Tomorrow (2002 Sundance Film Festival), depicting how family and social pressures shape a young Asian American man’s misguided ambitions. Last Days charts Chau’s treacherous trek with the momentum of a thriller, while maintaining an introspective focus on the demons that drove him.—Matt Cornell
Available in person only.
Screenings include closed and open captions.