Should You Aim for a Longer Life? Insights from the Producer of ‘The Oldest In the World’ at True/False Film Fest
Currently, Ethel Caterham of Surrey, England, holds the title of the oldest living person at 116 years and approximately 197 days old, as certified by Guinness World Records.
Intrigued by society’s fascination with supercentenarians, filmmaker Sam Green has created a documentary, The Oldest Person in the World, which premiered at Sundance before showing at the True/False Film Festival in Columbia, Missouri.
Green, well-known for previous works like 32 Sounds and The Weather Underground, along with producer Alison Byrne Fields, spent a decade on the film, documenting the changing holders of the title of oldest living person—a position that frequently shifts, as those familiar with actuarial tables can understand.
Producer Alison Byrne Fields and moderator Steven Bognar at True/False.
During a Q&A session at True/False, Fields noted, “We were thinking maybe a five-year [process]” for the film, but challenges arose, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the longevity of Kane Tanaka, the previously recognized oldest person who passed away in 2022 at 119 years.
Tanaka’s life, marked by a record-setting span, was second only to Jeanne Calment of France, who lived 122 years and 164 days.
Kane Tanaka (1903-2022)
The film takes viewers from senior centers to the Caribbean, and even to Guinness World Records headquarters in London, showcasing various record holders. However, it transcends simple visits, evolving into a profound exploration of life’s value and mortality. Green reveals his own battle with multiple myeloma and chemotherapy throughout the narrative.
As interest in longevity rises, The Oldest Person in the World arrives amidst discussions about health and lifespan. CBS News recently appointed longevity expert Dr. Peter Attia as a contributor, and Netflix debuted Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, a documentary featuring tech entrepreneur Bryan Jones, who seeks extreme measures to evade death.
Fields reflects on Jones’ quest, stating, “If you live an extraordinarily long time, everyone else in your life is dead. Being alive is about the relationships you have.” She adds, “I wouldn’t want to live until it hurts too much, and I can’t do the things that make me happy.”
Emma Morano (1899-2017)
The filmmakers are already considering expanding the documentary’s focus. Fields shared that they are working on a sequel, monitoring potential candidates for the title of oldest person. “I have a weekly exercise where I look to see who died the previous week,” she noted. “One of my significant roles is building relationships with the families to get their confidence in us.”
This sequel may introduce other super-agers, including the current oldest man, who resides in Brazil. Fields explained, “The oldest person world has been a man on occasion, generally Japanese,” referencing the evolution of the title over time. “We’re always monitoring to see what the ‘oldest something’ is, because it illustrates the fact that people are fascinated by this notion.”
Sister André (1904-2023)
One featured in the documentary is Sister André, who became the oldest person in the world before her passing in 2023 at 118 years and 340 days. After taking her vows in 1944, she dedicated approximately 80 years to her religious life.
In a lighter moment during the Q&A, Fields remarked on Sister André’s unique position, commenting, “It’s interesting. She’s obviously a nun and the whole point of Catholicism is dying and meeting your maker. And I just felt so bad for her. I’m like, ‘Yes, Sister André, you will die soon!’”
