Indiantelevision.com Team

(28 April 2007 3:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Oscar winner Forest Whitaker The Last king Of Scotland is asking moviegoers in the US to "take a moment and listen."

For the first time Whitaker has lent his writing, acting and directing skills to a single production, creating a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) for US telecom firm AT&T’s Be Sensible wireless courtesy programme. It is running select US theatres.

The PSA features Whitaker and another male actor quietly requesting that a large crowd, gathered around a stage in a park, listen to the silence that exists within themselves.

"Just take this moment and listen," he says softly into the microphone. "Escucha" (which means listen), says another man in Spanish. A woman hurries to the front of the crowd to hear better, and as she steps forward and heeds their advice, she closes her eyes and smiles, seemingly relaxing in the solitude and tranquility of the moment. The entire crowd appears to take a collective breath, relishing the silence.

"If you find the voice inside of you, you can change the world," Whitaker whispers in the spot, echoing his statement from his Academy Award acceptance speech that "through our combined belief, we can create a new reality."

Whitaker said, "I wanted to take part in this endeavor because of my strong belief in the light that exists in all of us. If we take the time to connect first to ourselves by being silent, then we can connect to others — whether through entertainment or through personal interactions.

"Acting, writing and directing is my way of connecting to everyone. Films can create a deep connection; they can get people talking and listening. So it’s important to be silent for those short few hours in the dark of the cinema.

"I decided to do this because AT&T’s programme reaches 550 million moviegoers annually, and if we can reach some of those 550 million people with this message, we will all enjoy the movies more. We can leave the theater and accomplish a little more or feel a little more connected than we did when we arrived".

AT&T VP of the wireless unit Tom klein says, "One of the most well-respected actors in Hollywood has embraced our campaign to remind people to silence their cell phones in theaters. Going to the movies is one of the few respites from our busy world today, and we are proud to continue to help create a more enjoyable experience for all moviegoers through our Be Sensible wireless courtesy programme."