"Epic in its ambition, this is a big scale idea executed perfectly on a small scale. Polished with a Gravity-esque veneer, the film’s small budget has been no barrier in producing an excellent slice of science fiction... The very best sci-fi finds the balance of humanity within the vastness of the universe, which is exactly what Mankind manages.
An excellent short." - The Pink Lens
"Swirling visual artistry... Beautifully assembled." - Shadows on the Wall
"Seriously atmospheric... wildly thought-provoking." - CGiiiFilm
"Stunningly original." - Dekkoo
"An immaculate and compelling short... Kudos to Anderson for both the high production values of his micro budget short but also for giving such a positive air of authenticity to this wonderful slice of his imagination." - Queer Guru
"The film figures its couple’s divergent wishes, attitudes, and ideas about their futures as a literally cosmic schism, weaving their emotional journey through Malickian montage." - Cine-File
"Enigmatic, kaleidoscopic... The brilliance of the short is in how it keeps the details vague... There are no easy answers to be found, but there’s a lot to ponder." - The Queer Review
"Opening with a hedonistic rave that looks like it’s shot by Gaspar Noé… Mankind tackles complex questions… whilst keeping proceedings swift and effective." - Culture Fix
"An intense character study that doesn’t let go from the start, led by some really strong performances." - Director's Notes
“I loved the experimental form, the visual and aural sensibility and above all, the queering of science fiction into something tangible and emotional.” - Wash Westmoreland
"That Anderson can say so much, so subtly, in so short a space of time is proof, once again, that he is one of the most interesting film makers working today." - Flick Feast
Mankind (2019)
A restless young man wants to leave love and the Earth behind.
Mankind is a short film that reflects on the idea of human beings as explorers by nature, and on the consequences of standing still for too long.
Running Time: 13 mins
Format: HD
Cast: Ricky Nixon and Alexis Gregory
Director, Editor: Layke Anderson
Writers: Layke Anderson, Ryan Child
Cinematographer: Alejandro Sesma
Camera Operators: Adrian Ardelean, Jean-Paul Berthoin
Sound: Iris Jenkins, Artur Strakhov, Olga Molchanova Reed
Music: Theo Bedoucha, Chris Weeks, David Bickley, Tom Green
Producer: Layke Anderson
Executive Producer: Stephen Fry
Screenings
BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival [UK] - Official Selection
Raindance Film Festival [UK] - Official Selection
Oaxaca Film Festival [Mexico] - Official Selection (New Industry)
Roze Filmdagen: Amsterdam LGBTQ+ Film Festival [Netherlands] - Official Selection
Philadelphia International LGBTQ+ Film Festival [USA] - Official Selection
Wicked Queer: Boston LGBTQ+ Film Festival [USA] - Official Selection
FilmOut San Diego [USA] - Winner: Best Short Film [Male] ♂️
Malmö LGBTQ+ Short Film Festival [Sweden] - Official Selection
Korea Queer Film Festival [Republic of Korea] - Official Selection
Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival [India] - Official Selection
OutWest Film Fest [USA] - Official Selection
Tel Aviv Film Club Pride Film Festival [Israel] - Winner: Best Director
Antwerp Queer Arts Festival [Belgium] - Official Selection
The Shortest Nights Film Festival [UK] - Official Selection
Reeling: Chicago LGBT Film Festival [USA] - Official Selection
Durban Gay and Lesbian Film Festival [South Africa] - Official Selection
KinoFilm: Manchester Short Film Festival [UK] - Official Selection
The Palace International Film Festival [UK] - Official Selection
Reelout Queer Film Festival [Canada] - Official Selection
All Genders, Lifestyles, and Identities Film Festival Austin [USA] - Official Selection
Mankind is now available as part of the Boys on Film 20: Heaven Can Wait collection, available on DVD and On Demand.
