As the story goes, Filmmaker/Photographer Andrew Zukerman was inspired by the African concept of ubuntu – essentially, the philosophy of human connectedness — “I am what I am because of who we all are.” Released last month, The Wisdom Project is Zukerman’s latest book/accompanying documentary where we get to hear and share in the collective experiences of many artists, politicians, world leaders and thinkers, all over the age of 65. From Ravi Shankar to Jane Goodall …. Clint Eastwood to Archbishop Desmond Tutu … Nelson Mandela to Václav Havel … Chinua Achebe to Andrew Wyeth.

In his behind the scenes video, Zukerman comments on the sheer logistics involved in realizing his vision of enabling our “global elders communicating with the global village”: the production schedule of filming all over the world, his efforts to “democratize the environment” so that viewers can truly hear the essence of the words, and the stark white background to enable a closer view and “reveal the topography of the face.” Clearly, a remarkable project.

Admittedly, I haven’t read the book; but from the video clips I’ve seen, I guess I wish that the choice of Zukerman’s profiles represented just a little more diversity from all corners of the world to bolster the case of our human connectedness.

The Wisdom Project’s 12-inch-square coffee table book is distributed in the U.S. and Canada by Abrams Books, and available for sale from major book dealers. The one-hour documentary film is packaged with the book. The Wisdom Project will be exhibited at the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia until November 16, 2008.