Documentary on American national parks launched in Kolkata

Traversing through towering cliffs and deep-plunging canyons, get a feel of the American wilderness, courtesy "America Wild: National Parks Adventure", a documentary giving a sweeping overview of history of US' national parks.

Narrated by Academy Award winner Robert Redford and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Greg MacGillivray, the 45 minute documentary was launched at the Science City here on Thursday.

The movie, slated to be screened in other Indian cities including Mumbai and Lucknow, the movie takes the viewers to journey some of America's famous national parks like the Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Redwood National Park and the Everglades.

Science City director Arijit Dutta Choudhury, said the documentary will generate consciousness among the countrymen about our own flora and fauna.

"We chose the film for screening with the view to create consciousness among our visitors. We have around 12 percent of world's total species of plants and animals in our country along with 102 national parks. We have to conserve and protect them, they are our heritage and pride," he said.

The film, which is made to celebrate 100 years of the US National Park Service Act that was signed on August 25, 1916, will be opened for public screening from July 22 for the next six months with 7 shows daily in English, Hindi and Bengali.

The documentary will be the last film that will be screened in the Space Theatre of Science City before it undergoes renovation from February next year for which the Union Government has sanctioned around Rs 30 crore.

--IANS

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