We all know Edward Norton for his roles in blockbuster Hollywood films, but in the last couple of years he’s largely been missing from the big screen. So where has he been hiding? 2011 was declared by the UN as the International Year of Forests. It was launched with a film festival in February in partnership with the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and has been inspiring many more interesting spin offs. It’s here that Norton has been putting his passions, fighting for the future of one of the worlds most important resources.
As part of the initiative, the UN partnered with Yann Arthus-Bertrand to make a short film using some of his footage from his documentary film Home. This beautiful 7-minute film, “Of Forests and Men,” was used for the launch of the International Year of Forests narrated by Edward Norton. The incredible footage and well written message should hit home for everyone on the planet, especially with the recent news of the planet reaching 7 billion humans. With the fast dwindling state of the worlds forest, Norton’s voice adds to this pressing and important issue we all need to solve to see a healthy future. See “Of Forests and Men” below:
Below, Norton acts in his role as UN Goodwill Ambassador:
In recognition of the Year of Forests, the Royal Canadian Mint has released a special coin, and produced these spectacularly animated promotions for the release of the coins. Since the Boreal Forest is the largest eco system in the world and one of Canada’s greatest resources, this year is particularly important to them. With all focus starting to change to the upcoming presidential election and the US economy, hopefully the message of this UN initiative will not get lost in the mix. It is certainly something that needs to start getting more attention as an issue that the world must address seriously.
Below is the trailer for original Home film by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, that led to the creation of the short “Of Forests and Men”:
Steven Shoppman also writes for The World by Road
