Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Sam Green’s Documentary Explores the World’s Oldest People
Ethel Caterham is described as the oldest living person in the world.
She lives in England and turned 117 in August.
She received the title after Inah Canabarro Lucas died at age 116 in 2025.
Filmmaker Sam Green spent 10 years making a documentary about people who held this record.
The movie is called The Oldest Person in the World.
It also includes Green’s son, Atlas, and Green’s thoughts about his own health and mortality.
The film can be funny, including a scene where an elderly record holder sleeps through much of her birthday party.
Green says the movie is also about time, chance and the wonder of being alive.
Ethel Caterham of England is identified as the world’s oldest living person at 117.
Caterham succeeded Inah Canabarro Lucas, who died in 2025 at age 116.
Sam Green’s documentary The Oldest Person in the World follows a decade-long exploration of longevity and record holders.
The film examines aging, mortality, fate and the experience of being alive, while incorporating Green’s son Atlas and his own medical concerns.
Green discussed the documentary on Deadline’s Doc Talk podcast as the film expands theatrically after screenings in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- Who
- Filmmaker Sam Green, along with people who have held the world’s oldest-person record, including Ethel Caterham, Inah Canabarro Lucas and Susannah Mushatt Jones.
- What
- The documentary The Oldest Person in the World explores longevity, aging, mortality and the human experience of being alive.
- When
- The film was developed over 10 years; it opened in New York City on September 10 and later began theatrical runs in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- Where
- The film has screened or begun theatrical runs in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities and festivals internationally.
- Why
- Green examines the passage of time, the randomness of fate and the meaning of human life through the stories of longevity-record holders.
- Current record holder identified
- Ethel Caterham of Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England
- Age cited
- 117, reached in August
- Previous record holder
- Inah Canabarro Lucas, who died in 2025 at age 116
- Director
- Sam Green
- Production timeline
- 10 years
- New York opening
- September 10
- Podcast appearance
- Deadline’s Doc Talk, hosted by John Ridley and Matt Carey