EXCLUSIVE: The Zurich Film Festival has set Richard Gere as a star guest for its 20th anniversary edition which runs October 3-13. Gere will attend the world premiere of Swiss documentary Wisdom of Happiness on which he is an executive producer. Deadline has the first trailer from the film which features the Dalai Lama as he speaks directly to the audience, creating what is billed “a meditative cinema experience that resonates long after.” Check out the trailer above.
In Zurich, Gere will be accompanied by fellow exec producer Oren Moverman as well as the Dalai Lama’s sister, Jetsun Pema and the Prime Minister of Tibet in Exile, Sikyong Penpa Tsering. Also in attendance will be the directors, Barbara Miller and Philip Delaquis, as well as director of photography Manuel Bauer. Autlook Filmsales is handling the global rights to the film, including the U.S.
Wisdom of Happiness is described as a deeply intimate and unique documentary that captures the Dalai Lama, who, at nearly 90, is speaking directly to viewers, creating a sense of a private audience. The Nobel laureate shares his timeless wisdom on the universal pursuit of inner peace, happiness and compassion. He also offers practical advice on how to navigate the challenges of the 21st century. The film features previously unreleased material from the archives of the Tibetan government, telling the story of the 14th Dalai Lama. Born as Tenzin Gyatso, he was officially chosen as the spiritual leader of Tibet in 1940 at the age of four.
Gere, who is separately attending the Venice Film Festival this week, is no stranger to Zurich having previously been honored with the Swiss fest’s Golden Icon Award for lifetime achievement. He commented, “Wisdom of Happiness is a very special film that we hope will have a profound effect on how we think and feel about ourselves and others with whom we share this beautiful planet. We are thrilled to launch its journey toward a long and impactful life at the Zurich Film Festival.”
Zurich artistic director, Christian Jungen, added, “We are delighted that Richard Gere will be visiting us again at the ZFF. We met him in Cannes, where he voiced his desire to improve the world and that he would love to start in Zurich… With Wisdom of Happiness, he presents a documentary in which the Dalai Lama advocates for greater compassion in human interactions. This work moved us deeply and provided food for thought.”
