"Texas Dolly" works for the environment

The friendship between US poker legend Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson and Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio has blossomed into a partnership to produce an environmental awareness documentary that is already receiving major international publicity in the wake of former Vice President Al Gore's campaigns to save the environment.

Brunson is putting the money up for movie star DiCaprio's production, titled "11th Hour," a feature length documentary that examines the state of the global environment and suggests practical solutions for restoring the ecosystems of the planet.

DiCaprio co-wrote, narrated and produced the documentary.

"I know we'll be able to raise a lot of awareness for an issue that plagues our world and could have devastating consequences down the road if nothing is done," Brunson said about the documentary.

Co-directed and written by Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners, "11th Hour" stresses the imminent danger to the environment. "Global warming is not only the number one environmental challenge we face today, but one of the most important issues facing all of humanity," said DiCaprio.

"We all have to do our part to raise awareness about global warming and the problems we as a people face in promoting a sustainable environmental future for our planet."

The documentary is premiering at the Cannes Film Festival as a "Special Screening, Out of Competition." It will open for public viewing in the USA later this year.