(TibetanReview.net, Aug03’24) – Hollywood star Richard Gere, possibly the world’s most famous lay Tibetan Buddhist as well as Tibet activist, is helping to produce a documentary about the Dalai Lama and his message of peace, reported aussiedlerbote.de Aug 2, citing an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Together with producer and director Oren Moverman (58), Gere, 74, will serve as an executive producer for the Swiss documentary “Wisdom of Happiness”.
As stated in the press release, the film will “create a powerful cinematic exploration of the inner thoughts of the Dalai Lama”, the report said.
The documentary is set to be released worldwide in theatres in fall/winter 2024 and aims to be “a philosophical testament of the Dalai Lama on the big screen”.
Regarding the potential impact of the documentary, Gere has said, “This is a fine film that can have a great impact on the future.”
Fellow producer Moverman has added: “As a filmmaker, I am deeply grateful for the invitation to participate in this truly unique film that so beautifully translates the message of kindness into the visual language of cinema.”
Gere is the Board Chair of Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet which researches on and advocates for Tibet. He has taken part in lobbying efforts in the US Congress, including hearings, on Tibet.
He remains banned from Oscar ceremonies for speaking up on Tibet while China’s ban on his films has greatly affected his Hollywood career.