6 Billion Others: Meaning of Life

“Some are born happy, others are not. That's how it is.” Culled from three years of filming in 40 languages, 70 countries, and 5,000 interviews, this volume in the 12-part series created by French photographer and environmentalist Yann Arthus-Bertrand explores the human condition by asking the question: “What is the meaning of life?” Participants of all colors and ages are filmed in face-to-face interviews, with their responses loosely subtitled, as they discourse on everything under the sun: finding food, fighting, love, God, religion, family, philosophy, and the popular answer, “I don't know.” Some tell stories, joke, or sing. Some responses are rambling, while others are succinct (“Never give up. Love the fight.”), some are optimistic, some are melodramatic, and some seem bitter (“My life has no meaning today. I love no one, I'm not loved. I'm not building a life path. Does it have meaning? No.”). Sure to spur discussion, this interesting production is recommended. Other titles in the 12-volume series include Family, Here/There, Crossed Portraits, Testing Time, and Childhood (series price: $765: high schools & public libraries; $1,785: colleges & universities). Aud: H, C, P. (J. Williams-Wood)