Apocalypse Now

From the musings of ancient Greek philosophers to the chain letters of AOL-era email, the question “What would you do if today were your last day?” has been one of our collective favorites. We imagine drug binges with no consequence, life savings spent on one lavish trip, and the Herculean...

By Gabriela Garcia

May 24, 2012

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From the musings of ancient Greek philosophers to the chain letters of AOL-era email, the question “What would you do if today were your last day?” has been one of our collective favorites. We imagine drug binges with no consequence, life savings spent on one lavish trip, and the Herculean conquering of unimaginable feats (or, if we’re lazy, skydiving). But filmmaker Abel Ferrara imagines another possibility: We would do exactly what we do every other day, but with a little panic thrown in. In 4:44 Last Day on Earth, a painter and an actor struggle with inner demons and static life as the apocalypse, spurred by global climate change, inches closer to their New York City loft. It is unclear whether a character should shave, work on a painting that will disappear, or refuse to give into an addiction that no longer matters. The seemingly unimportant factors of mundane life — fights with exes, Chinese take-out — become the central components of a slow race toward nothingness. This Monday, join the rest of humanity in pondering the end of the world when Miami Beach Cinematheque (1130 Washington Ave., Miami Beach) screens the film at 9 p.m.
Fri., May 25, 9 p.m., 2012

Gabriela Garcia

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