Why, hello there, Mr Nobel: DiCaprio’s climate change movie finds a home

National Geographic Channel has acquired the worldwide rights to an untitled climate change feature documentary produced by Fisher Stevens and Leonardo DiCaprio.

National Geographic Channel has acquired the worldwide rights to an untitled climate change feature documentary produced by Fisher Stevens and Leonardo DiCaprio.

The actor, who this year won his first Oscar for his portrayal of a frontiersman in The Revenant, spoke in his role as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s “messenger of peace with a special focus on climate change.”(AFP)

The cable network made the announcement at their Television Critics Association summer press tour panel here on Saturday, reports variety.com.

NatGeo plans to release the film in theatres in New York and Los Angeles in October, followed by a global premiere on National Geographic Channels worldwide preceding the US election in November.

Read: Leonardo DiCaprio gives a stellar speech at the UN climate signing

The film presents an account of how society can prevent the demise of endangered species, ecosystems and native communities across the globe. And it might be the same film for which the Hollywood actor came to India.

The Wolf of Wall Street actor reportedly shot parts of the documentary on climate change in the country in October last year.

In the film, DiCaprio interviews individuals from every facet of society in both developing and developed nations who provide their views on what must be done today -- and in the future -- to transition our economic and political systems into environmentally friendly institutions.

Read: Nobody creates a narrative around climate change: Amitav Ghosh

Subjects include President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State John Kerry, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Pope Francis, as well as top NASA researchers, forest conservationists, revered scientists, community leaders and fervent activists working to save the world.

“National Geographic has a long history of inspiring others to care about the planet,” said Courteney Monroe, CEO of National Geographic Global Networks.

“Climate change is the most fundamental threat facing our planet,” said DiCaprio.

“We must work together as a collective voice to demand major action now. Our very survival depends on it. This documentary translates the symptoms and solutions of climate change before information is distorted, as it often is, by those with a financial interest in fossil fuel production.”

The project is produced by RatPac Documentary Films, Appian Way and Insurgent Media. It is produced by DiCaprio, Brett Ratner, Stevens, James Packer, Jennifer Davisson and Trevor Davidoski and executive produced by Martin Scorsese.

The deal was negotiated by John Sloss of Cinetic Media with Tim Pastore, President of Original Programming and Production for National Geographic Channel.

NatGeo also announced that the channel and National Geographic Studios will partner with Katie Couric Media to produce a two-hour documentary with the working title Gender Revolution, an in-depth look at the role of genetics, brain chemistry and modern culture on gender fluidity.

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