Last Breath’s Finn Cole & Director Talk Woody Harrelson Movie’s Incredible True Story

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Ponder this scenario: You find yourself 300 feet submerged in the ocean, your air supply dwindling, the surface seeming impossibly distant. This chilling predicament is vividly portrayed in the film ‘Last Breath’, a gripping adaptation of a real-life tale of endurance. Yet, transforming such a harrowing ordeal into a captivating cinematic adventure—how does one do that?

It fell upon director Alex Parkinson to determine how to transform his documentary into a full-length narrative film. At the AMC Lincoln Square’s red carpet event in New York City, he, along with some fellow filmmakers, discussed the journey of bringing this project to life and immersing audiences in a chilling, treacherous underwater adventure. The stars Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole graced the occasion to promote their newest film, set to premiere in cinemas on February 28.

According to Parkinson, who has previously directed a 2019 documentary on Chris Lemons, the diver trapped in the ocean, the main shift from documentaries to narratives lies in the fact that in documentaries, you have “talking heads.” This means that in documentaries, interviewees provide commentary and insights about what is being shown, as well as the emotions of characters. However, this is not present in fiction. Therefore, when working on a script, it’s all about finding creative ways to convey information and emotion in a narrative format. For Parkinson, this transition from documentary making to narrative storytelling represents the most significant challenge.

To transform Last Breath’s true tale into a work of fiction, we must elongate and intensify the narrative, emphasizing the tension in various aspects, explains co-writer Mitchell LaFortune. For instance, the North Sea, infamous for its brutal navigation conditions with daily 20-foot swells, provides an excellent backdrop for heightening external turmoil. Yet, our primary focus lies on character development. Regardless of diving expertise, anyone can connect with this movie due to its exploration of the inner strength that drives us to face fearsome challenges courageously – a universal motivator hidden deep within us all.

LaFortune adds, “It’s about human resilience – the ability we possess, like in movies such as Everest or Apollo 13, to persevere against all odds. I believe that watching Last Breath will grip you with its intensity because it moves swiftly. What makes this even more comforting is that these qualities are within each of us. And I think that seeing and experiencing them on screen can be reassuring.

But how faithful is Last Breath to the true story of what happened?

According to Parkinson, he aimed to maintain the story’s authenticity as much as possible by considering the emotional journey and team camaraderie portrayed. However, when it came to individual character stories, there were certain events added that could have plausibly occurred but didn’t on that specific night. These additions helped immerse viewers into the characters’ minds, creating a believable world without introducing implausible elements such as an oil rig explosion.

Finn Cole (known for his roles in Peaky Blinders and F9) shares insights about playing Chris Lemons, stating, “The most thrilling aspect undoubtedly lies in the fact that we performed everything practically. It was real-life action, not CGI. We had top-notch professionals guiding us, and that’s what made it incredibly intense. The extraordinary part is that what you see on screen is genuine, which adds to the movie’s immersion and excitement.

When asked about the riskiest film work he’s ever undertaken, he replied, “Indeed, this one takes the cake. Yet, through extensive preparation, there’s a sense of security. That’s why we do it and collaborate with top professionals. Fortunately for us, we had the opportunity to work with them, making it the riskiest, but at the same time, we were always under capable hands, which eased our concerns.

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2025-02-28 21:40