Review: Despair and Hope for Greenland Youth in “The Last Human”

Ivola Frank’s stirring documentary, The Last Human, serves as a heartfelt tribute to her Greenland home, while exploring the paradoxes of this beautiful and remote island. Geologist Minik Rosing presents a groundbreaking study suggesting Greenland is where life on Earth originated, amidst rock formations nearly 4 billion years old. Paradoxically, Greenland’s residents are now witnessing what could be the first signs of environmental catastrophe, as the island’s icecap melts rapidly due to global warming.

Questions about human survival are deeply existential, yet Frank’s film also sheds light on life’s diverse expressions, both grand and intimate. Through candid conversations with Greenlandic teenagers, the documentary reveals their dreams for the future as they seek love, friendship, and economic stability. The aspirations of these youths are tinted by interviews with scientists like Rosing, who candidly discuss the detrimental effects of human exploitation on the planet. Previous generations’ neglect has left a more hostile world for today’s youth to inherit.

Despite its clear-eyed portrayal of ongoing environmental collapse, The Last Human is far from pessimistic. Interspersed with facts and personal testimonies, the film marvels at Greenland’s natural splendor. From the mesmerizing morning mist encircling snow-capped mountains to sheep calmly grazing in fields, these simple yet beautiful moments are underlined by their fragility. By positioning Greenland between humanity’s beginning and potential end, the film’s message is more than a heavy statement; it is a call to action. Frank emphasizes the precious minutiae of life, highlighting the simple pleasures that are at risk of vanishing.

The Last Human premieres on True Story from 9 August.