Our planet is now enduring its sixth mass extinction. More than 150 species are wiped out every 24 hours creating an undeniable ripple effect. The Last Extinction unravels the interconnectedness of nature through the eyes of seven different animals.

Interview with Director Reilly Archer-Whelan

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I remember the moment I heard that more than 150 species are going extinct every 24 hours. I just couldn't believe it. The more I researched, the more shocked I became. There didn't appear to be a lot of information in the mainstream media. Neither the public nor governments seemed to be discussing the issue with any sense of urgency. I made the film to open up that conversation, it needs to be at the forefront.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

You should come for the African safari and stay for the knowledge! The film was first and foremost written to explore the lives of all kinds of creatures from the smallest insects to the ruthless carnivores. But you’ll leave with an insight into the delicate balances of nature, and where we as humans, fit on that scale.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The current mass extinction is both a personal and universal issue. It impacts every being on earth.

Each scene sets out to answer the question, “What would life be like without this creature?”

Sometimes we as humans can become so disconnected from nature. We think it's a shame when an animal becomes extinct, but life goes on as it always has.

The reality is that the planet has endured five previous mass extinctions. The last one we still talk about today, the extinction of dinosaurs. We, humans, are now heading towards a similar fate. These problems don’t stand alone, the film explores the theme of mass extinction by exemplifying the interconnectedness of life on earth.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The scriptwriting process started in Australia and evolved dramatically when I began working with Africa Media. George Kirkinis, the narrator in the film, is an incredibly talented writer, he oversaw the scriptwriting process and was able to provide a wealth of advice from his experiences as a wildlife filmmaker. The script continued to develop even throughout the filming process. Lions aren’t great at following directions, so the script was adapted to suit what the talent felt like getting up to that day.

Behind the scenes of The Last Extinction - Elephants saying hello the the crew

What type of feedback have you received so far?

There have been really great feedback on the film so far. When someone tells me they watch the film and walk away with a clearer picture of the current mass extinction, I feel like the film has achieved some goals.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I hope that wearemovingstories.com will help make the film become more visible so that we can start the conversation and begin looking into possible solutions to slow, or preferably stop, the mass extinction that we are currently experiencing on this planet.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I funded this film by myself. With the help of producers, I hope to get funding to make a feature-length version. With a bigger budget, we will have more opportunity for additional scientists and field specialists to come on board, I’d like to look at the bigger picture outside of South Africa and discuss possible solutions. This film wasn’t able to achieve all of those things with a limited budget and by being independently produced.

Behind the scenes of The Last Extinction - Sunrise B-Roll Shooting watch out for lions and rhinos

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I'd like this film to bring the mass extinction crisis to the forefront of our conversations. Governments need to be addressing the issue and putting plans in place to slow down, and preferably prevent it before it's too late.

To take a quote from the film, "We humans are the most important allies of our planet’s preservation because we are the only beings who have the means to destroy it."

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

The key question would be, "Do we want to live in a world without animals?"

My personal belief is that humans are very resilient, I do believe that even if a lot of the key players became extinct, we humans may be able to continue life on earth. But what kind of life would we be living without trees to climb and flowers to smell?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I’m currently editing another documentary, Mask Uncovered that we shot during my time in South Africa. It follows the lives of some of Johannesburg’s informal recyclers and the dangerous issues that they face in their day to day work.

Interview: June 2020

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

The Last Extinction

Length: 18:23

Director: Reilly Archer-Whelan

Producer: Michael Whyntie

Writer: Reilly Archer-Whelan

About the writer, director and producer:

REILLY ARCHER-WHELAN is a Director and Cinematographer specialising in making thought-provoking documentaries. After graduating with a Bachelor of Film, Reilly founded Melbourne based production company RAW Films, where she has produced engaging content for international brands such as Zomato, Cartier and F45. Her latest documentary is set to premiere at Melbourne Documentary Film Festival.

After graduating with a masters of producing at the Victoria College of the Arts (VCA), MICHAEL WHYNTIE has produced a number of award-winning films including Crush and Devil Wears a Suit. Michael co-founded a production company which focuses on producing socially aware documentaries.

Key cast: George Kirkinis (Narrator)

Looking for: sales agents, distributors, journalists, producers, buyers

Facebook: The Last Extinction

Instagram: @lastextinction

Hashtags used: #lastextinction

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Melbourne Documentary Film Festival/ Online Advance Screening - June 30th