On the day of the Oscars, at about 3:00 am I got a call from a friend. I could sense the excitement in her voice. She said – “Shrenik, the Documentary film we had been a part of (co-produced) won the Oscar!”…. and she continued….. “I knew it had the potential to be an Oscar winning docco…. I knew it. I knew it. You must see it… You must see it. I will send it across to you.” In about a week, she promptly sent the DVD across to me.
Taxi To The Dark Side is indeed one of the most powerful and energetic films I have ever seen. The Director of the film, Alex Gibney has put in an extraordinary effort in gathering, collating and presenting the data. The film was very well narrated, very well constructed and visually, very well presented. It is indeed an extraordinary production. All aspects of the film, right from the background score to editing seemed perfect. Since then, I have seen the doc three times and I find myself fascinated with it.
The depth of research and the originality in visually illustrating the film was refreshing. At the same time, it was combined with a gripping narrative.
I decided to cycle the length of India for 3900 Kms – From Kanyakumari (southernmost tip of India) to Kashmir (India’s most northern city) in 80 days. For the energy that I burn, people from all over the world, from all walks of life can pledge to plant trees. I will be starting in Kanyakumari on the 5th June 2008 – (World Environment Day).
This initiative is to raise awareness about global warming and to encourage everyone to plant trees. It is also a drive to support the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme’s Plant a Billion Tree Campaign), which aims to get one billion trees planted across the world.
The target is to raise a pledge for ten million trees or more. I would really encourage every one to come forward and plant trees. Many of my friends have come forward to plant trees. I am very happy with all the encouragement that I have been getting from friends from all over the world.
