Mailbox round-up: An Inconvenient Truth

Dec 01, 2006- Permalink

If there is just one DVD you buy for friends and family this year, then it should be the documentary An Inconvenient Truth. When I saw this film at a press screening I was deeply moved and highly motivated. A few days later I attended the Toronto premiere. We photographed Al Gore at the premiere and he spoke briefly to the assembled press. This is a core issue for Gore as it should be for everyone who happens to live on this planet.

I think Roger Ebert said it best in his review: “In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should explain to them why you decided not to.”

The DVD obviously has some extras. They are:

• Commentary by director Davis Guggenheim
• Commentary by producers Laurie David, Lawrence Bender, Scott Z. Burns, and Lesley Chilcott
• “An Update with Former Vice-President Al Gore”
• “The Making of An Inconvenient Truth”
• A music video by Melissa Etheridge

Heck, even the DVD package is made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials. But these extras aren’t important. If everyone just made a few choices in their daily lives like buying a hybrid, using energy-saving light bulbs and taking transit, then real progress could start being made.

I think that’s one of the most important lessons this DVD offers. The situation may be global, but the solution starts with you.