29. August 2024

Richard Gere brings WISDOM OF HAPPINESS to ZFF

The Zurich Film Festival (October 3 – 13) is delighted to welcome Richard Gere as a star guest for its anniversary edition. Gere will personally attend the world premiere of the Swiss documentary WISDOM OF HAPPINESS as executive producer. In the film, the Dalai Lama speaks directly to the audience, creating a meditative cinema experience that resonates long after. Richard Gere will be accompanied at the Gala Premiere by Oren Moverman (Executive Producer), 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.

© Das Kollektiv für audiovisuelle Werke GmbH

The Zurich Film Festival is thrilled to welcome one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in its anniversary year: Richard Gere will be attending the ZFF for the second time, this time with the world premiere of the Swiss documentary WISDOM OF HAPPINESS, in which he is involved as an executive producer. Back in 2012, the ZFF honoured the exceptional talent with the Golden Icon Award for his lifetime achievement. At that time, he presented the financial thriller ARBITRAGE as a Gala Premiere. Christian Jungen, the ZFF’s Artistic Director, expresses his excitement: “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. In October, he will now be honoring the festival with his presence, premiering his latest documentary, WISDOM OF HAPPINESS. 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.” Richard Gere is also delighted to showcase his film WISDOM OF HAPPINESS as a world premiere at the ZFF: “This is a small movie which can have a big impact on the future. We are thrilled to launch its journey toward a long and impactful life at the Zurich Film Festival.”

From left to right: Barbara Miller, Richard Gere, Christian Jungen und Philip Delaquis © Das Kollektiv für audiovisuelle Werke GmbH

World Premiere of WISDOM OF HAPPINESS

WISDOM OF HAPPINESS, a deeply intimate and unique documentary, captures the Dalai Lama, who, at nearly ninety year of age, 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. Moreover, he offers practical advice on how to navigate the challenges of the 21st century. The film also features previously unreleased material from the archives of the Tibetan government, thus telling us 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. The film is made by Barbara Miller, Philip Delaquis, Manuel Bauer in collaboration with Richard Gere and Oren Moverman.

From Hollywood to Tibet

Born in Philadelphia (USA) in 1949, Richard Gere is one of Hollywood’s most outstanding actors. His career began in the 1970s: Gere played a remarkable supporting role in the 1977 drama LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR and delivered a brilliant performance in the lead role in DAYS OF HEAVEN (1978). His portrayal of the callboy Julian Kaye in AMERICAN GIGOLO (1980) brought him great recognition. In addition to his appearance in PRETTY WOMAN (1990), Gere starred in other successful films such as FIRST KINIGHT (1995), PRIMAL FEAR (1996), UNFAITHFUL (2002), and CHICAGO (2002). For his role as star lawyer Billy Flynn in CHICAGO, he received his first Golden Globe Award in the category of Best Actor.

His most recent films include THREE CHRISTS (2017), THE DINNER (2017), MAYBE I DO (2023) and LONGING (2024), where he plays alongside Diane Kruger. In May 2024, the drama OH CANADA (2024) premiered at Cannes, where Richard Gere made an appearance together with Uma Thurman.

On top of his successful acting career, Gere has been committed to humanitarian causes for decades. He has received numerous awards recognizing his work for human rights, health, education and support for the disenfranchised worldwide. He has been serving as Chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet for two decades and is a long-time student and friend of the Dalai Lama. WISDOM OF HAPPINESS is therefore a project close to Gere’s heart, in which he acts as executive producer alongside producer Philip Delaquis.

WISDOM OF HAPPINESS will then screen in Swiss cinemas starting December 5, 2024.