Last and First Men (film) explained

Last and First Men is a 2020 English-language Icelandic science fiction film directed by Jóhann Jóhannsson, who co-wrote the screenplay with José Enrique Macián. Based on the 1930 novel of the same name by English author Olaf Stapledon, it is the only feature film directed by Jóhannsson, a composer who died of an overdose two years before its release.

The film had its world premiere at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival on 25 February 2020, and was digitally released on 30 July, by BFI Distribution in the United Kingdom. It received widespread critical acclaim.^{[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]}

Background

Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson directed and scored a multimedia Last and First Men, "combining a film narrated by actress Tilda Swinton and accompanying score played by the BBC Philharmonic" at the 2017 Manchester International Festival.^[9] The 16mm black-and-white film is predominantly of memorial sculptures erected in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Jóhann collaborated with José Enrique Macián on writing the narration adapted from Stapledon's novel. This was next performed at the Barbican Centre, London in December 2018, and later at Sydney Opera House as part of the Vivid Festival, on 2 June 2019. In 2020, a film of this work was released as Jóhann's debut and final directorial work, with composer and sound artist Yair Elazar Glotman completing the work after Jóhann's death in February 2018. The film had its world premiere at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival on 25 February 2020, and was later screened at other film festivals around the world and released on VOD.^{[3] [10]} It was first released on 30 July 2020 by BFI Distribution in the United Kingdom.^[11]

Production

The film was shot at numerous Yugoslav World War II monuments and memorials in the following locations:^[12]

• Podgarić, Croatia
• Sanski Most, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Tjentište, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Ostra, Serbia
• Jasenovac, Croatia
• Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Niš, Serbia
• Popina, Serbia
• Mitrovica, Kosovo
• Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Novi Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Petrova Gora, Croatia
• Kadinjača, Serbia
• Nikšić, Montenegro

Music

The film's soundtrack of the same name, co-composed by Jóhann and Yair Elazar Glotman, was released by Deutsche Grammophon on 28 February 2020.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Simon . Alissa . 6 February 2020 . Films Boutique Nabs Berlinale Special title 'Last and First Men' (EXCLUSIVE) . 1 May 2021 . Variety.
2. Web site: Last and First Men . 1 May 2021 . BFI.
3. Web site: 'Last And First Men': Berlin Review . . 6 May 2021 . 25 February 2020 .
4. Web site: Kohn . Eric . 'Last and First Men' Review: Jóhann Jóhannsson's Posthumous Film Is a Dazzling Vision of the Apocalypse . . 6 May 2021 . 26 February 2020 .
5. Web site: King . Jack . 'Last And First Men': Jóhann Jóhannsson's Directorial Debut Is An Awe-Inspiring Experience [Berlin Review] ]. . 6 May 2021 . 25 February 2020 .
6. Web site: Young . Deborah . 'Last and First Men': Film Review Berlin 2020 . . 6 May 2021 . 25 February 2020 .
7. Web site: Frankl . Ed . Berlin Review: Jóhann Jóhannsson's Final Work Last and First Men is an Extraordinary Cinematic Odyssey . The Film Stage . 6 May 2021 . 27 February 2020 .
8. Web site: Bradshaw . Peter . Last and First Men review – eerie sounds and unearthly images from a posthuman world . . 6 May 2021 . 29 July 2020 .
9. Web site: MIF 2017 - Last and First Men, Reviewed . . 7 July 2017 . Confidentials Manchester . 25 March 2018 .
10. Web site: Sharf . Zack . Jóhann Jóhannsson's First and Final Directorial Feature 'Last and First Men' Heads to Berlinale . . 6 May 2021 . 14 January 2020 .
11. Web site: Rosser . Michael . 18 June 2020 . BFI Distribution acquires Jóhann Jóhannsson's final film for UK (exclusive) . 1 May 2021 . ScreenDaily.
12. Web site: ABOUT . 1 May 2021 . www.lastandfirstmen.com.