John Allen Chau: A Polarizing Story of Faith

It’s tempting to vilify John Allen Chau, the Christian missionary who lost his life attempting to reach isolated tribes. This 26-year-old might have unwittingly brought new diseases to the North Sentinel Island community, potentially causing serious harm. His determination to penetrate communities that value their isolation raises many questions.

Picture this: a Hollywood film about Chau’s brief, intense life. It’s an industry not particularly known for its generosity in portraying faith positively.

Quick Judgments

In “Last Days,” Sky Yan stars as John, a committed Christian who yearns to leave a mark on the world. He risked everything to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ on North Sentinel Island.

While the story concludes in tragedy, Lin’s film aims to present Chau as a compassionate young man whose complex experiences led to his unexpected fate. Justin Lin, despite not sharing Chau’s faith, has approached the subject with sensitivity. Initially, however, he didn’t feel that way.

“It’s so easy to judge or dismiss. When the news broke, that’s exactly what I did,” Lin admitted. He felt the sting of his own hasty conclusions about Chau’s actions when he reflected on the uproar that followed. “It bothered me that I was so quick to condemn.”

A Father’s Influence

One of the motivating forces for Lin was a feature about Chau’s father in an external magazine, which offered insight into the family’s perspective on their son.

Lin found this perspective profoundly affecting. “As a parent myself, I resonated with the father’s struggle to guide his son through life’s challenges,” he noted. “The article really made me think about how timing and readiness are crucial.” While this project didn’t involve car chases or interstellar adventures, Lin was drawn to this different pace.

“We wanted to create something unique,” Lin said, though he lacked a blockbuster budget.

Initially, he assumed Chau’s journey would involve reckless escapades with a small crew. However, after reading Chau’s diary, he realized the depth of inspiration behind it, drawn from adventure tales and films. “I had to honor that complexity in our film,” Lin explained. “It needed the feel of a major Hollywood production, even if the story was intimate.”

Lin sought out talented professionals to enhance the film’s quality beyond what a smaller budget typically allows.

Addressing Faith

Lin navigated Chau’s faith thoughtfully, even when addressing some of Chau’s questionable choices. One unexpected romance in the film shifts perspectives on Chau’s overall mission.

This balance wasn’t easy to achieve. “Whenever we enter uncomfortable situations, we often think, ‘I have to impose my viewpoint. This is how I see things,'” Lin reflected. “I committed to avoiding that mindset early on and devoted three years to truly connect with Chau’s humanity.”

Quality Over Quantity

“The Last Days” visually resembles the high-budget fare Lin usually makes, despite not having top-tier resources or a star-studded cast. Ken Leung’s emotional portrayal of Chau’s father stands out, showcasing Lin’s ability to extract depth from limited means.

Lin is known for maximizing small budgets. “I once made a film for $250,000 that opened many doors,” he shared. His significant breakthrough film grossed $3.8 million, an impressive feat given the initial investment.

Though “The Last Days” holds an indie spirit, Lin felt the pressure to shape the film in certain ways. Chau resisted being categorized by societal expectations, much like the pressures facing Lin in the film industry.

“Can you categorize this as a Christian film?” was a question Lin recalls from behind-the-scenes discussions. “It felt more like a limitation than a suggestion.”

As Lin prepares to enter a more familiar arena with the upcoming “BRZRKR,” he acknowledges his unexpected enjoyment of the action genre.

The film made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival, and Lin hopes it resonates with audiences. “In just five minutes, we were able to create a bridge,” he reflected. “And I think we need that connection now more than ever.”