My wife and I had the rare opportunity to preview a film that really, truly is a valuable and complete piece of art. Valuable not just in the artistic sense but also complete in the humanity and compassion it displays for our neighbors in the animal kingdom.

The film is about two scientists, Dr. Birutè Mary Galdikas and Dame Daphne M. Sheldrick. Dr. Galdikas has devoted her life to adopting and raising orphaned orangutans in the jungles of Borneo. Ms. Sheldrick has spent her life saving and protecting orphaned baby elephants. One of the most inspiring parts of the film is that both servants are committed to "re-wilding" their respective charges. And both have devoted their lives to this work.

What makesBorn to Be Wildso surprising is that the entire enterprise makes so much sense. Instead of creating a sort of dependent herd of elephants or primates, both have seen the higher calling of protecting the wildness of these creatures and nursing them to adulthood in order to be set free again to roam their native lands. Unlike a zoo or a pound for neglected animals, humans and wild animals share life together in such a way as to allow the orphans to return to normal life in their respective environments. But they grow up in the care and protection of human adoptive caretakers.

There are so many touching moments in this 40-minute film. I won't spoil anything for you. But it might be interesting to tell you a little about the event we attended. Our screening was a premiere of this film at the Boeing IMAX Theatre in Seatttle's Pacific Science Center. There was quite a celebration prior to the viewing as donors and representatives of the Sheldrick and Galdikas Compounds were present to pitch the respective works as worthy beneficiaries of our generosity. The film is not only educational and inspirational but is a great advertisement for a truly worthy cause. The film documents the actual work with its successes and challenges, so there is an entertaining venue for your due diligence as a benefactor.

Born to be Wild is not only a triumph for human / animal relations but in the filmmaking art itself. The cinematography is breathtaking and the subject matter is so compelling that I believe this film marks a turning point in the documentary department. Whereas most documentaries are unsuccessful in masking their true ideologies or intent, this one is different: it does not try to avoid the shameless plug nature of many documentaries. Born to Be Wild simply tells you the story of these animals and the people who have sacrificed their lives to help the helpless. It is obvious in its intent and is simply such a good and satisfying mission that many will no doubt be inspired to invest in one or both organizations. And that is okay. They will be making an informed decision.

The orangutans are victimized by poaching and by the decimation of rain forests to make way for an ever larger incursion of palm oil plantations. Palm oil is used in many food products, including the popcorn we were eating before this film. Talk about indigestion! Palm oil is also very popular in the creation of biodiesel. Much of the current spread of palm oil plantations has been driven by our western loathing of petroleum. But maybe the balance of nature has something to say about our drive to simply come up with "other" energy sources without thinking through the consequences.

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