# The Man from Earth: Holocene

The Man from Earth: Holocene is a 2017 American science fiction drama film directed by Richard Schenkman and written by Richard Schenkman and Emerson Bixby, based on characters created by Bixby's father, science fiction writer Jerome Bixby. It is a sequel to the 2007 film The Man from Earth. David Lee Smith returns as the "John Oldman" character, the protagonist from the original film, although going by a different name. The marketing of the film was notable for leveraging a full spectrum of both conventional and "pirate" channels to maximize visibility and distribution.

## Synopsis

The Man from Earth: Holocene continues the intriguing story from the original film, diving deeper into the life of John Oldman, who is revealed to be a nearly 14,000-year-old Cro-Magnon man. Now living under the alias John Young, he has assumed a quiet life as a college professor in Northern California. However, the challenges of immortality continue to catch up with him.
John's efforts to maintain a low profile become increasingly difficult as four of his students—Isabel, Tara, Philip, and Liko—begin to suspect that there is more to their professor than meets the eye. The students' curiosity is piqued by John's extensive knowledge of history and his seemingly ageless appearance. They begin to delve into his past, uncovering astonishing clues about his true identity.
As the students close in on the truth, John faces a growing internal struggle. His immortality is not without its own complications; he experiences health issues suggesting that even he might not be immune to the ravages of time. John's condition leads to a profound reflection on the meaning of his existence, the nature of mortality, and the enduring impact of human connections.
Meanwhile, the students' investigation puts them on a collision course with John's mysterious past. Their pursuit of knowledge leads to a series of unexpected and dangerous events, challenging their own beliefs and understanding of the world. The tension builds as John's carefully constructed facade begins to crumble, and he must decide whether to continue hiding his true nature or finally reveal his secret to those who might be his only hope for salvation.
"The Man from Earth: Holocene" explores themes of time, identity, and the essence of human experience, presenting a thought-provoking narrative that questions the boundaries of life and the enduring quest for knowledge. It is a compelling continuation of John Oldman's journey, blending science fiction with profound philosophical inquiries, leaving the audience pondering the mysteries of time and existence.

## Cast

* David Lee Smith as John Oldman/John Young
* William Katt as Dr. Art Jenkins
* Vanessa Williams as Carolyn
* Michael Dorn as Dr. Gil Parker
* Sterling Knight as Philip
* Brittany Curran as Tara
* Carlos Knight as Liko
* Akemi Look as Isabel
* John Billingsley as Harry

## Production

In 2013, Schenkman expressed the motivations behind the production of the film:
   "People have been asking for this since the first movie became a viral phenomenon. Over the years, I've spent time developing this property with the ultimate goal to create a long-form series. I've had a lot of help from a number of really talented people, and stunning support from fans all over the world. It's been a long road, but now that we're about to start shooting, I could not be more excited."
From 1 to 16 June 2016, principal photography for the film took place. Editing was completed on 21 September 2016. The producers have stated on Facebook that it could be the first in a series.

## Release and P2P distribution

On 16 January 2018, the creators uploaded this film to The Pirate Bay for completely legal download.
Other partners have included MovieSaints.com (effective as of 19 January 2018), where fans were able to pay to see the film but would receive a full refund if they did not enjoy it.