Ewan McGregor takes the roles of both Jesus (named Yeshua in the film) and Satan (named the Demon) in Last Days in the Desert. Directed by Rodrigo Garcia (Albert Nobbs, Nine Lives), Last Days premiered at this year’s Sundance Festival and received its second screening on Wednesday, May 6th at New York University. Students and faculty were treated to not only the exclusive screening, but both the director and Ewan McGregor were in attendance and participated in a Q&A after the screening.
The movies follow Jesus in a fictional chapter of the bible that takes place during his forty day wandering through the desert. Jesus comes across a family (mother, father, son) and he spends about three days with them. He makes a deal with the Devil over the fate of the families souls and this corresponds with the Temptations the Devil offers Jesus. Last Days differs significantly from the recently released bible epics (Noah, Exodus: Gods & Kings). It has more of an arthouse film feel and focuses heavily on the interactions between characters. While the story is told beautifully (and the cinematography is amazing), it is a very artsy film and therefore not for everyone. Garcia wanted more than just another story of the holy man, he wanted to give Jesus a more grounded characterization and also place the story in time, in our time. It isn’t the most exciting film, it moves at a fairly slow place, but it expertly gives us a story on Jesus.
After the film Garcia and McGregor did a Q&A with the audience and they discussed what it was like shooting in the desert and the gravity of making a film about Jesus. Shooting took place over a course of five weeks with a very small crew, which McGregor and Garcia noted felt like they weren’t intruding on the land (as opposed to bigger films). The film also stars Ciarán Hinds (Game of Thrones, There Will Be Blood), Ayelet Zurer (Man of Steel, Angels & Demons) and up-and-comer Tye Sheridan. It is travelling to various festivals, but there has yet to word on a theatrical release. The movie has been picking up traction, so it is one to look out for.