The passing of 26-year-old missionary John Allen Chau has ignited global discussions. Some praise his quest to reach remote communities, while others criticize it as foolhardy. The new film Last Days (rated PG-13) narrates Chau’s journey, but director Justin Lin clarifies that he doesn’t take sides, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions about Chau’s mission.
Chau met his end in 2018 on North Sentinel Island, where he was shot by an arrow from the local tribe, and subsequently, his body was recovered for burial. This island is situated in the Bay of Bengal and is part of India’s archipelago, making visits illegal. Lin, known for directing several films in the Fast and Furious series and Star Trek Beyond, initially dismissed Chau’s story in 2018 but later became intrigued after reading about him in Outside magazine the following year.
“I connected with John’s father, Patrick, and it really moved me, prompting my desire to bring this story to life,” Lin shared with Crosswalk Headlines.
The film isn’t faith-based, and while Lin identifies as a Christian, he describes himself as non-religious. His hope is that the film fosters conversations among those with differing perspectives, a debate that captivated audiences in 2018.
“I’m not trying to sway opinions, but that quick judgment in 20 seconds set me on a three-year exploration. I feel a deeper connection to John and his story,” Lin expressed.
“I’d love for discussions to spark during the drive home from the theater. This narrative is incredibly complex,” he added. “I think that’s something we really need more of.”
Lin mentioned that the film’s premiere audience comprised 1,200 individuals from both Christian and secular backgrounds.
“In just five minutes, I sensed a bridge being built through conversation. It feels like that’s missing in today’s world. Personally, I wish we had a lot more of that.”
Last Days is rated PG-13 due to some violent content, strong language, sexual themes, and smoking.
