The Last Man on Earth

AWARD-WINNING FEMALE DIRECTOR PULLS NO PUNCHES IN A STORY ABOUT OUR PREJUDICE TOWARDS DISABILITY.

My film is uncomfortable. It’s provocative. But I’ve got something important to say about the way society treats people with disabilities. My protagonist reflects the average person, not a bad person, but one who judges a book by its cover. She makes a huge mistake.

I'm a film-maker and also a mum - a super mum of a severely disabled and wonderful little girl. Life is very full. Crazy busy. But you want something done? - give it to a busy woman. THE LAST MAN ON EARTH is my fifth short film (third as director). I wanted this latest film to be more than an entertaining story – it’s been a passion project because of a theme close to my heart. I would dearly love to see a greater reflection of society’s NEURO-DIVERSITY on screen. We live in an incredibly diverse world which makes society interesting and colourful. We’re getting better at mirroring that diversity on screen, but there’s still a long way to go when it comes to casting actors who have physical or neurological differences.

The Last Man on Earth is a Sci-Fi thriller with a personal statement about the worth of people with disabilities. It reflects society's tendency to negatively judge a book by its cover. The story is set in the aftermath of a global epidemic that virtually wipes out mankind and that was caused by a vaccine designed to eradicate birth defects. Survivor Annie (played by actress Greer Phillips) learns the hard way that a person’s worth is not determined by their looks or abilities, but rather their character and actions. The film also stars Duncan Armstrong, a very busy and experienced Wellington dancer, drummer and actor who also happens to have DOWN SYNDROME. He’s a great example of not allowing his condition or society’s negative stereotypes to define him or limit him.

As the mother of a very precious 8 year old daughter who has severely challenging physical and neurological conditions I was horrified a few years ago when I read that UK Independent Party member Geoffrey Clark had posted his opinion that the government should “Consider compulsory abortion when the foetus is detected as having Downs, spina bifida or similar syndrome which, if it is born, will render the child a burden on the state as well as on the family”. This extreme opinion incensed me but also made me realise that this type of attitude arises from ignorance. I wanted my next film project to be more than entertainment; it became a passion project to inspire awareness and positivity.

Duncan himself is a wonderful and very obvious contradiction to the negative message pregnant women receive about Down Syndrome. He’s fiercely independent, extremely talented, and in terms of his career he’s as energetic and focused as any other professional performer I’ve ever worked with. He even did his own stunt (under the direction of acclaimed Stunt Co-ordinator, Rodney Cook (“The Hobbit”, “Z For Zachariah”, “Avatar”). The only limits he has in life are those imposed on him by other people’s scepticism.

In the film, Duncan’s character turns out to be the hero. The person whose moral character illustrates that a human’s worth should not be determined by ability – let’s face it, you can be fully able (mentally and physically) and still be a total plonker, as evidenced by way too many heads of global super powers right now.

“The Last Man on Earth” was shot at the highly regarded Avalon Film & Television Studios and they were incredibly supportive allowing us to transform the whole place into a post apocalyptic set. As I move into feature films, actors with disabilities will be very welcome to audition for all roles. I’m looking forward to the day when we see more actors with differences playing characters on screen that aren’t defined by a medical condition or there to just represent a condition. They’ll be playing the “Doctor” or the “Receptionist” or the “Café Owner” who just happens to be in a wheelchair”.

April Phillips