Elders (2008)

"Where is the knowledge we have lost in information? Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?" It's this quote from T. S. Eliot that inspired Andrew Denton to seek out prominent elders of our tribe, each over 65, to see what they had learnt from life so far. ELDERS with Andrew Denton explores very different lives in search of that undervalued treasure - wisdom. Some of them are well known to us - Alan Alda, Clive James, Richard Dawkins - and others may be not so - indigenous elder Rosalie Kunoth-Monks, human rights advocate Helen Bamber, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. Each one of these people is a deep thinker who has lived a full life and has much wisdom to offer. They share candidly and generously about the values, events, and people that have shaped them. They all talk about their work and career, but the overall focus with each one of them is what life has taught them. These interviews don't seek to be a forensic examination of a life well-lived. Rather, they are an exploration of our subjects' formative experiences, the lessons that have learned over a lifetime, and the values they have to come to cherish most. These guests give their time generously, are willing participants, and wholly engage with and embrace the process. Denton's curiosity, wit and capacity for reflection leads to conversations that go beyond the usual interviews. Some questions were asked of each of them: When have you failed? How do you define success? Are you hopeful for the future of mankind? And some of the answers are surprising!