Contemporary Candian Film and Literature (Fall, 1999; Fall, 2001)
Last Night
Don McKellar
Prix de la Juenesse at Cannes
 
  		Characters: 
Patrick; Sandra, Duncan (David Cronenberg), Patrick's sister (Sarah Polley), and her boyfriend, Alex; 
Craig, Mrs. Carlton (Genevieve Bujold ) and the other women; 
Duncan's secretary.
Different kind of apocalpytic vision: 
"The world is ending once again. But this time, in my movie, there is no over-burdened loner duking it out with the asteroid, no presidents, or generals turning the tables on extra-terrestrials. Those heroes are out there, somewhere, one hopes, but I was interested in the rest of us suckers -- hapless individuals who, with limited access to nuclear resources, would have to come to terms with the fast approaching finale."  (e.g. Armageddon)
Production Note:
  • Invited by French production company Haut et Court to contribute a film to their series 2000, Seen By..., featuring ten films about the coming of the new millenium from ten different countries (Tsai Min-Liang's Hole included). 
  • But as McKellar developed his story, he turns end of millenium into end of the world.  (source)
 End of the World -- no reasons; no authorities in charge of order; 
Clues to what has happened: 
  • the absence of nightfall 
  • people dying; 
  • the government close down; 
  • no bus, no stores opening; 
The Various Responses: 
I. gathering: 
  1. family gathering: Patrick's family  having a X'mas party; watching video.
  2. religious gathering: go on a canoe (Noah's ark?); prayer group; 
  3. party and final countdown: "where's the party?"
 II. do the best/craziest thing: 
  1. mob on the street: killing, destroying things, 
  2. sexual adventures: Craig 
  3. piano concert 
  4. jogging
III. Stay on the job till the last minute:
  1. teacher, Mrs. Carlson -- visiting her students
  2. TV anchor, Radio host 
  3. gas company boss and secretary
IV. Losing grip: 
  1. waiting for the bus -- "what driver?"
V. Staying Sanely Unaccompanied: Patrick
  1. Refusing to be with his parents
  2. Turning down his friend's offer
Leading Questions
  1. What would you do if the world is about to end?  How are the choices made by the characters reflective of their selves and their raison d'etre? 
  2. Patrick and Sandra seem to be opposite to each other.  Why are they attracted to each other?   Consider the following elements: 
    • Patrick's reason to be alone; 
    • Sandra's reason for  getting married, and Sandra's way of facing the end of the world; 
    • Patrick's responses to Sandra's dilemma.
  3. How are the characters connected in this film?  And disconnected? 
Reviews: 
  1. Film Threat Review 
  2. Review 
  3. Review & Director Bio