Schoolchildren to see Gore's Truth

By Tom Lowe

AMERICAN cinema is set to play a big screen role in educating Islington schoolchildren about the hazards of climate change, under a new scheme unveiled yesterday.

Former Vice-President Al Gore’s ground-breaking film, An Inconvenient Truth, which highlights the declining state of the Earth, will be shown to secondary school pupils throughout the borough after its distribution company, United International Pictures [UIP], agreed to lease a 35mm copy of the film for school screenings.

The Hammersmith-based giant slashed its standard equipment hire charge from around £750 to just £150 on the condition that it is used only for educational purposes.

Mildmay councillor Anna Berent, who is leading the film education project, said she is “anxious” for children to see the film.

“It is the youngest people who will be affected the most by climate change, " she said.

"Children will be able to use pester power on their parents if necessary to really help push for a significant reduction in energy use. This could make an enormous difference to both their futures and to others around the globe.”

Mr Gore, who is Gordon Brown’s recently appointed adviser on climate change, narrates the acclaimed movie, which Berent hopes will be shown early next year with local cinema group Screen on the Green, on a loop over five consecutive mornings.

She said: “Simply showing the film in a school hall will not feel as important as being taken especially to the cinema to see it. Screening An Inconvenient Truth at the Screen on the Green could have a far greater impact on the children.

"Provided this scheme is a success, Islington could be exemplary in spreading these screenings to secondary schools all over the country.”

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