Documentary on polio debuts on HBO 1 April

Rotary International News -- 31 March 2009

The Final Inch , a 38-minute film that chronicles the challenges health organizations and government face during the final stages of polio eradication , will air on HBO on 1 April at 8:00 p.m EST. Commissioned by the philanthropic division of Google, the film was nominated for an Academy Award in the documentary short subject category.

Director and producer Irene Taylor Brodsky captured workers immunizing children in the poorest slums of India and Pakistan in 2007. In several scenes Rotarians were filmed working during a National Immunization Day on 22 April. Led by M.S. Jain, past governor of District 3100, NID volunteers administer polio vaccination drops to children in Meerut Samrat, Uttar Pradesh, India.

On 30 March, RI President Dong Kurn Lee spoke at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. He was joined by Tom Grant, a producer on The Final Inch.

On April 2, HBO is holding a screening event in New York, USA. Past RI President James L. Lacy will serve as a discussion panelist, which includes Brodsky, Ann Veneman, executive director of UNICEF, and Dr. Larry Brillian of Google.

38 Comments:

At 4:02PM on 17 February 2011, Sam Carter wrote: Rotary is the kind of program that has the desire and the ability to make the world a better place which I hope will greatly enhance peace and happiness everywhere.

At 9:52AM on 19 January 2010, Dr.P.Madhava Kaimal wrote: Excellent

At 9:59AM on 7 April 2009, RTN MANISH GARG wrote: MY SELF RTN MANISH GARG {ROTARY CLUB ZIRAKPUR DIST-3090,CLUB REG NO:-76327,PUNJAB-INDIA } I THINK "POLIO WAS THE MAIN VIRUS FOR THE HUMANS AND IT DESTROY THE WHOLE BODY AS WELL THE LIFE OF HUMANS BUT DUE TO ROTARY IT WILL NO LONGER BE PRESENT IN FUTURE". SO FOR THIS WE WILL BE VERY THANKFULL TO ROTARY.

At 9:29AM on 6 April 2009, MANOJ GARG wrote: I AM RTN MANOJ GARG [SECRETARY] ROTARY CLUB ZIRAKPUR{DIST-3090, CLUB REG.NO:-76327,PUNJAB-INDIA} "I AM ROTARIAN AND I AM PROUD TO BE A ROTARIAN".

At 8:43AM on 2 April 2009, Mir Mohammad Qazi wrote: I am feeling very proud to be a member of rotary club. The work rotarians have done to get rid from polio is simply awesome and the movie was really encouraging. Let us try to make this dream come true by reaching the final inch. All the Best of luck by, Rtn.Mir.Mohammad.Qazi- Sergant at arms-Dadu-Sindh RID.3270

At 8:45AM on 2 April 2009, Shahmir Ali wrote: although I am not a member of rotary but even then I am very impressed by your work and inshaallah after passing my "A"levels I will also join you and I will also do these community services.

At 8:52AM on 2 April 2009, Rtn. Shajada-Al-Mamoon, P. Elect, RC: Ctg South, BD wrote: I am a proud member of the Rotary Club of Chittagong South. The final inch is just amaising. I just can say that I am proud to be a Rotarian and to be part of eradicating polio from the world. Many wishes for all the Rotarians of the world.

At 8:53AM on 2 April 2009, Alice LeDoux wrote: I'm very proud to be a Rotarian and find it disheartenting that the trailer only mentions UNICEF and says nothing about Rotary. I was unable to see the full length film as I don't subscribe to HBO. Hopefully, Rotary's work in the fight against Polio is at least mentioned.

At 8:54AM on 2 April 2009, al purwa wrote: Rotarians of the world you have done superb job. Rotarians in Pakistan you did a good klip for Tube. Thank you, from a DGN in Bali-Indonesia D3400

At 9:42AM on 1 April 2009, Rtn.Abu Thomas,TUTICORIN,RID 3212 wrote: MY EYES ARE FILLED WITH TEARS. LONG LIVE THE VOLUNTEERS AND HAIL ROTARY!

At 9:21AM on 16 March 2009, Glen Makepeace wrote: I am a proud member of the Rotary Club of Northern Guam (USA) and the final inch is just one of the many battles Rotarians across the world have participated in, SERVICE ABOVE SELF is definitely what Rotarians are all above. Together we can change the world starting with our communities. Kudos to all Rotarians.

At 11:51AM on 23 February 2009, Beth wrote: To Malcolm- Rotary International also supports clean water projects throughout the world. As we are immunizing children, we are also improving sanitation. We are commmitted to making it happen.

At 11:51AM on 23 February 2009, Dominica Pradere wrote: I have recently returned from India where I was one of a team of Rotarians involved with India's NID on Feb. 1-3. I feel privileged to have been a part of this battle.

At 11:49AM on 23 February 2009, Rtn Ramesh Agrawal Distt 3050 wrote: The rotary must be given more importance for the work done however i congratulate the producer and director of the film to bring the efforts of the rotary in front of the public now we r just near the final gate and we should not leave any stone unturned to reach to oue commitment to the world fo polio free world

At 11:47AM on 23 February 2009, Rtn.A.B.Chandrasekaran, President, RC:Salem, INDIA. wrote: I saw your trailer for The Final Inch and many many congratulations to the Director, Producer and Cameraman. I am very proud to be a Rotarian.

At 11:47AM on 23 February 2009, Claus Moeller wrote: Great film and great information material about polio eradication. The nomination for an Oscar creates a lot of publicity too. Very good. Best of luck to the film makers from lowb.dk

At 11:47AM on 23 February 2009, Richard Dietz wrote: Every home that has television around the world should see this documentary and see how a group of volunteers can change the world for the better.

At 11:46AM on 23 February 2009, PDG R.Reghunath,RID3211 wrote: This documentary has to be given to all Rotary clubs in the world to educate and motivate Rotarians to fight against Polio.This documentary has to be screened wherever possible to create awareness in the society about the great contribution of Rotary in eradicating Polio.

At 11:45AM on 23 February 2009, Rtn. Shailendra K Saraf, PADG, Bhagalpur, Bihar wrote: Oscar or no oscar! The Final Inch has done more than that. We are at the verge of eradicating polio from the world and I wish this short documentary should be screened in every cinema hall to create awareness in people against polio. This milestone can only be achieved by the Rotarians. Kudos to them.

At 4:28PM on 20 February 2009, Janey Ball wrote: Shall be watching and hoping for every success with the Academy Awards, February 22nd. On Feb 23rd, we'll be lighting up Cape Town with the End Polio Now message. (Janey Ball, Rotary Club of Newlands, Cape Town, District 9350)

At 4:40PM on 20 February 2009, Rtn Shiva Kumar T N President 910 wrote: I am really proud to be a Rotarian and i think this documentary should be send 2 every district which in turn should give to every club to motivate and make them feel how important their contribution is to the world and society.

At 10:37AM on 20 February 2009, Gautam lewis wrote: I hope all is well. I saw your trailer for The Final Inch and many congratulations for the film. I thought that perhaps you may like to see this film we made for Al Jazeera English on the work of Polio eradication. My name is Gautam Lewis and I am a polio survivor having been rescued by Mother Teresa in Kolkata. I do a lot of work with Rotary International on polio eradication here in London. I am the main character in this film, passport from polio and the link to the whole film is below. http://www.freedomintheair.org/?p=1545

At 10:10AM on 16 February 2009, Claudio Pezzi wrote: The more I watch the trailer, the more I am proud to be a Rotarian. I hope that the documentary will be disseminated worldwide among the Rotary members.

At 11:15AM on 10 February 2009, Lolita Wiesner wrote: This is so great! The trailer should be shown at the start of every movie in theatres around the world. Let's get the message out there.

At 10:38AM on 6 February 2009, malcolm newing wrote: As polio originates from faeces of unhealthy water and food sources how is it possible to eradicate this virus when in 20 years time another 1 billion people will be born into the world.

At 11:55AM on 2 February 2009, Rtn Qamar Zaman wrote: We are confident that we will be able to make Pakistan a polio free country in a couple of years.we are making possible to immunise every child in our vacinity. we have regular polio camps. rotary Club of Islamabad Margalla.

At 11:53AM on 2 February 2009, M Imrran khan wrote: I am working for polio eradication since 1992 here in Abbottabad, a beautiful city of Pakistan. It’s very encouraging for all of us have a big support from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to put a focus blow to eradicate polio. Let’s make together the final effort to reach the final Inch.

At 11:52AM on 2 February 2009, PE John Cairns wrote: As a Rotarian, I applaud everyone who has contributed their time, resources and efforts to push Polio over the finish line. It is humbling to witness the desire to rid the disease across the world, uniting humanity in one spirit. Great film and much success. There is truly a Champion in all of us!

At 10:28AM on 2 February 2009, DGN Shehzad Ahmed wrote: Hats off to all Rotarians for their dedication and commitment in their polio eradication efforts. Let us pray that we achieve “The Final Inch” soon, so that we can present a Polio-Free world to our coming generations. DGN Shehzad Ahmed ! RI District 3270 (Pakistan & Afghanistan)

At 10:27AM on 2 February 2009, Ashok Kumar Quilon West wrote: The video presentation is good and informative. But it is not enough. Rotarys involvement is not given much importance by Govt.The final Inch is still far.

At 10:27AM on 2 February 2009, Ajoy Chatterjee, DGE D5580 wrote: I congratulate to the producer and editor of this fine film. You have showed the world the true picture of the polio victims and there sufferings. It is nice to see that Rotray is being recongnized by the film industry. Best wishes.

At 10:11AM on 2 February 2009, Tim Tucker wrote: What a good snippet of what is to come in the full 38 minutes on HBO in April. All Rotarians need to see this to encourage all to assist in whatever way they can to make this dream real.

At 1:38PM on 30 January 2009, PP. Ayoub Mahmoud Ayoub wrote: This is a challenge to all Rotarians and humanity-minded persons. We have seen Jenny Horton in Ethiopia and Nigeria, combatting the Polio while smiling to the infants.This battle, against Polio, should be won, by ALL of us.

At 9:28AM on 30 January 2009, RTN PP RHIT JERAJANI wrote: ONE OF THE BEST FILMS EVER MADE FOR ERADICATION OF POLIO

At 1:50PM on 28 January 2009, Marty Peters wrote: All of our efforts in Rotary since 1986 have brought us to this moment in history. We continue our effort to rid the world of Polio. To all who read this, Rotary needs your help. Please call a friend in Rotary and volunteer your donadtion to their Club in your town. Together Rotary and all our friends will end Polio on our planet. This is our life long quest. Lets get polio off our planet before we leave it! "Good Bye Polio Thanks Rotary." www.delmarrotary.org

At 9:16AM on 28 January 2009, Gaurav Bhatia wrote: Hi, friend Gulzar Saifi Congrates to You and Your Family and Your Team who makes this type a message film and i Salute You, Your Team and Your Passions. I really Proud to You and Your Team and Specially Thanks for That Person who thought this Message Based Film and Complete his/her dream and Specially thanks for Team. May God Bless You and Your Team and Director And Producer And Cameraman and I wish to YOu Get Sucess and Bright Future for You and Your team. I will Pray to God that Your Film "The Final Inch" get oscar awarded. From Gaurav Bhatia M No. 09456295621 E-mail:- Gaurav _bhatialove@yahoo.com, gaurav.bhatialove@gmail.com

At 9:49AM on 28 January 2009, Rtn. Shrinivas Malu wrote: Excellent effort ever made by Rotary to reach out to the unreached i.e. a community at Large . It is sure that the Final Inch is not far for us to to make it ZERO.

At 1:00PM on 27 January 2009, Rtn Dr Seshu Kumar wrote: The video is very much informative and very useful for m;obilization.

Add a comment

Your name * Your email * (non-public) Your comment * * indicates a required field

Rotary Global Peace Forums
Register today to attend

End Polio Now
Help Rotary meet the challenge

2013 RI Convention
Register early and save