Tales of the end of the world and apocalyptic settings are all the rage right now, with films like Melancholia embracing doomsday, and other films like Stake Land and The Road showing the world destroyed. As this is the year the Mayan’s predicted the world would end, it would seem many directors are getting in on the action before it is too late.
Step forward Abel Ferrara, the director of such pleasantries as Bad Lieutenant, Driller Killer and The Funeral, and his latest film is guaranteed to leave you feeling a little down in the dumps, also looks strangely enlightening. Ferrara has been around for years, quietly lurking and releasing the odd film, documentary or short film. However, 4:44 Last Day on Earth’ may well become his biggest film in years, and the popularity of the film will be helped by his choice of actors.
The always brilliant Willem Dafoe takes centre stage along with the gorgeous Paz de la Huerta, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Hipp, Thomas Michael Sullivan and Shanyn Leigh. The film is due for a limited theatrical run in the US from 23rd March, although no date has been confirmed yet for the UK.
Synopsis:
In a large apartment high above the city lives our couple. They’re in love. She’s a painter, he’s a successful actor. Just a normal afternoon – except that this isn’t a normal afternoon, for them or anyone else. Because tomorrow, at 4:44 am, give or take a few seconds, the world will come to an end far more rapidly than even the worst doomsayer could have imagined. The final meltdown will come not without warnings, but with no means of escape. There will be no survivors. As always, there are those who, as their last cigarette is being lit and the blindfold tightened, will still hope against hope for some kind of reprieve. For a miracle. Not our two lovers. They – like the majority of the Earth’s population – have accepted their fate: the world is going to end.
By Matt Wavish
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