Khashyar | July 28, 2009

China's Communist Party has attacked the "Dalai Lama Renaissance" Documentary Film

 

Chinese government reacts to successful theatrical premiere of Dalai Lama film and positive press in Taiwan

Los Angeles, CA (July 29, 2009) - The Chinese government often has the clout and muscle to prevent Hollywood films from being released in Asia, and can even discourage films from having an extended release in the West if they are perceived to threaten Chinese policy.

Films starring such big name stars as Richard Gere and Sharon Stone were boycotted by China after the actors expressed support for the Tibet Independence Movement. After Disney released Kundun, Martin Scorsese’s 1997 feature film about the Dalai Lama, the studio incurred the wrath of the Chinese government, and Disney films were banned for an indefinite period of time.

Recently, after a theatrical documentary film about the Dalai Lama and narrated by Harrison Ford entitled Dalai Lama Renaissance (www.DalaiLamaFilm.com) was released in theaters in Taiwan this summer and received front page positive press in the Chinese language Taiwanese newspapers, the Chinese government took keen notice.

The People’s Daily, a daily newspaper and media arm of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, quickly and sharply criticized Dalai Lama Renaissance in an article in its online edition.

The article, posted July 14th in the People’s Daily Online entitled “Western Movies Build Grand and Perfect Image of Dalai Lama,” argues that “in recent years, a wave of ‘Dalai Lama fever’ has appeared in the Western movie industry… describing the Chinese government’s peaceful liberation of Tibet as ‘cruel oppression,’ and depicting the Dalai Lama’s life in India as difficult… Some movies even advocate the Dalai Lama’s concept of [Tibetan] ‘independence.’”

Although the title of the article refers to “Movies,” the article exclusively focuses on Dalai Lama Renaissance. Referring to the film, which has been distributed in cinemas around the world, the article criticizes that “the part of the movie related to the peaceful liberation of Tibet was filled with political bias, reflecting the director’s ignorance and misunderstanding of Tibet’s history… The movie transforms the Dalai Lama into an omniscient sage, reflecting a ‘misunderstanding’ of the Dalai Lama’s image in the West… In fact, what these movies depict is just the ‘anesthesia’ given by the Dalai Lama to the West.”

The fact that the Chinese Communist Party’s main media organization has chosen to criticize the film may be a defensive reaction to the very positive press that Dalai Lama Renaissance received in the Chinese language media in Taiwan, where it premiered in front of sold-out audiences on June 1. And it may be an attempt to counteract any effect on readers in mainland China, who often have access to Chinese language news from Taiwan.

Taiwan’s best-selling weekly newspaper, E Weekly, gave the film a rating of 82, which is one of the highest ratings that a film has received in the past year in Taiwan. According to its Taiwanese theatrical distributor, Blockbuster of Taiwan (no relation to Blockbuster video in the United States), E Weekly regularly gives films far lower ratings. FTV, a television station in Taiwan, also reported that that the premiere of the film in Taiwan was very successful, with not an empty seat in the cinema, and that “many people were touched after watching the film.” The Taipei Times wrote that “the film rapidly grabs hold of you… an insightful documentary.”

Ironically, the Chinese Communist Party may feel most threatened by the idea brought up in the film regarding economic sanctions against China from the West. But despite this being a near unanimous suggestion by the Westerners in a scene in Dalai Lama Renaissance, the Dalai Lama discouraged the proposal.

The Taiwanese newspaper The Liberty Times points out that, in the film, “the Dalai Lama thinks that humanity is the most important thing in the world and economic sanctions might affect many Chinese citizens, thus he is hesitant whether such an approach is right.”

The People’s Daily also tries to discredit the producer-director of the film, Khashyar Darvich. In its article, the newspaper claims that the director is a “follower” of the Dalai Lama, and supports this assertion by referring to an interview where Darvich mentioned that he produced the film party for the opportunity to spend time with the exiled Tibetan leader.

“It’s interesting that the Chinese Communist Party refers to me as a follower of the Dalai Lama,” Darvich responded. “Although I respect the Dalai Lama as a man of peace, just as the Nobel Peace Prize Committee did by awarding him the Nobel Peace prize, and as do most governments around the world, I am not a Dalai Lama groupie. When I began the film, I was not very familiar with the Dalai Lama’s ideas. I think that his actions, and the respect that he garners around the world, speaks for itself.”

Despite the Chinese Communist Party’s attempt to discredit the film, Producer-Director Khashyar Darvich states that his production company, Wakan Films, has just signed an agreement to release Dalai Lama Renaissance unofficially into China itself, under the radar of the Chinese Government.

“My hope,” says Darvich, “is that the film will open a dialog between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama, and that the average Chinese citizen will be able to see that the Dalai Lama is not such a bad guy and is interested in a solution to the Tibet issue that serves the highest good and benefits both the Chinese and Tibetans. I would be happy to attend a screening of the film in China and conduct a Q&A with Chinese audiences as a way to contribute to positive dialog.”

For more information on Dalai Lama Renaissance, go to www.DalaiLamaFilm.com.

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Tags: Chinese, chinese audiences, Chinese Communist Party, chinese government, Dalai Lama, Dalai Lama Renaissance, documentary, documentary film, harrison ford, Khashyar Darvich, People's Daily, taipei times, taiwan, theatrical documentary, tibet issue, tibetans

Khashyar | March 3, 2009

BUFFALO,NY- The “Dalai Lama Renaissance” Documentary Film, and it’s Producer-Director Khashyar Darvich, will both make their Buffalo and Western New York premiere on March 10, 2009, at Market Arcade Films & Arts, for two screenings and Q&A’s at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

This will be the first time that “Dalai Lama Renaissance” will screen in Buffalo and Western New York.

The Western New York screenings follow the very well attended screenings in New York City at the Rubin Museum of Art on February 21, 22, 28 and March 1. The last screening at the Rubin Museum of Art was sold out.

“Dalai Lama Renaissance” has won 12 awards, and has screened in over 80 cities in the United States, as well as in theaters around the world.

‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ tells the story of 40 Western innovative thinkers who travel to India to meet with the Dalai Lama to solve the problem of world peace. What happened was surprising and unexpected, and was captured by a five-camera, 18-person crew.

The film features two of the starring quantum physicists from the hit theatrical documentary ‘What the Bleep Do We Know,’ Fred Alan Wolf and Amit Goswami. Also appearing in ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ are Michael Beckwith (who appears in ‘The Secret’ with Wolf), Air America radio host Thom Hartmann, and other prominent figures.

This is the first film about the Dalai Lama and Tibet to open theatrically in the United States since the international spotlight placed on China for its firm handling of Tibetan protesters speaking out against Chinese policies in Tibet.

“I narrated ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance,’” says Harrison Ford, “because I believe His Holiness is making a positive influence in our world. For me, the film represented an opportunity to continue assisting the optimistic efforts of an extraordinary individual.”

John Griffin of the Montreal Gazette calls ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ “a provocative, even enlightening film… fascinating, ravishingly beautiful and sonically soothing.” Film Threat Magazine’s Rick Kisonak said ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ is a “comedy sensation,” adding, “I can’t remember the last time a movie made me laugh so hard.”

‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ is among the top-grossing theatrical documentaries of 2008-2009. This important film on human rights and world peace has screened in more than 80 cities around the U.S. and is the official selection of 40 film festivals around the world where it earned 12 awards. The film has attracted record audiences at film festivals and theaters around the U.S. and around the world. The film’s official webite is www.DalaiLamaFilm.com.

Location: ARTSPACE Buffalo is located at 1219 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14209
Phone: 716-803-6205

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Tags: air america radio, buffalo ny, Dalai Lama, documentary film, fred alan wolf, harrison ford, michael beckwith, quantum physicists, Screenings, theatrical documentary, thom hartmann, what the bleep do we know

Khashyar | February 9, 2009

 

 

NEW YORK, NY — ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance,’ the feature documentary about the Dalai Lama narrated by Harrison Ford, premieres theatrically in New York City at the prestigious Rubin Museum of Art on February 21, 2009.

‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ tells the story of 40 Western innovative thinkers who travel to India to meet with the Dalai Lama to solve the problem of world peace. What happened was surprising and unexpected, and was captured by a five-camera, 18-person crew.

The film features two of the starring quantum physicists from the hit theatrical documentary ‘What the Bleep Do We Know,’ Fred Alan Wolf and Amit Goswami. Also appearing in ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ are Michael Beckwith (who appears in ‘The Secret’ with Wolf), Air America radio host Thom Hartmann, and other prominent figures.

Screening dates and times for ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ at the Rubin Museum of Art are:
  * Sat., Feb. 21, at 4 and 6 p.m.
  * Sun., Feb. 22, at 4 and 6 p.m.
  * Sat., Feb. 28, at 4 and 6 p.m.
  * Sun., March 1, at 4 p.m.

Producer-Director Khashyar Darvich will attend the screenings on Feb. 21 and 22 to discuss the film with audiences.

This is the first film about the Dalai Lama and Tibet to open theatrically in the United States since the international spotlight placed on China for its firm handling of Tibetan protesters speaking out against Chinese policies in Tibet.

“I narrated ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance,’” says Harrison Ford, “because I believe His Holiness is making a positive influence in our world.  For me, the film represented an opportunity to continue assisting the optimistic efforts of an extraordinary individual.”

John Griffin of the Montreal Gazette calls ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ “a provocative, even enlightening film… fascinating, ravishingly beautiful and sonically soothing.”  Film Threat Magazine’s Rick Kisonak said ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ is a “comedy sensation,” adding, “I can’t remember the last time a movie made me laugh so hard.”

‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ is among the top-grossing theatrical documentaries of 2008-2009.  This important film on human rights and world peace has screened in more than 80 cities around the U.S. and is the official selection of 40 film festivals around the world where it earned 12 awards.  The film has attracted record audiences at film festivals and theaters around the U.S. and around the world. The film’s official webite is www.DalaiLamaFilm.com.

Media interviews are available.
ABOUT THE RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART
The Rubin Museum of Art, home to a comprehensive collection of art from the Himalayas and surrounding regions, regularly hosts events featuring luminaries such as Martin Scorsese, Lou Reed, Gloria Steinem, Laurie Anderson, Roseanne Cash and Elvis Costello.  For details, visit www.rmanyc.org.

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Tags: air america radio, Amit Goswami, chinese policies, comedy sensation, Dalai Lama, Dalai Lama Renaissance, feature documentary, film threat magazine, fred alan wolf, harrison ford, international spotlight, john griffin, Khashyar Darvich, michael beckwith, montreal gazette, quantum physicists, rubin museum, rubin museum of art, theatrical documentary, thom hartmann, what the bleep do we know

Khashyar | February 8, 2009

 

SAN FRANCISCO - “Dalai Lama Renaissance” (the award-winning documentary film about the Dalai Lama, narrated by Harrison Ford), opens at the Red Vic Movie House in San Francisco on Sunday February 15, 2009, and will screen through Monday February 16.

Producer-Director Khashyar Darvich will appear in person to answer questions from the audience after most of the screenings.

To date, “Dalai Lama Renaissance” has screened in over 80 U.S. cities, as well as in cinemas around the world. It is the official selection of over 40 international film festivals, and has won 12 awards.

The film tells the story of forty of the world’s most innovative thinkers who travel to the Himalayan Mountains of India to meet the Dalai Lama to solve many of the world’s problems. What happened was surprising and unexpected, and was captured by a 5-camera, 18-person crew.

“I narrated Dalai Lama Renaissance,” says Harrison Ford, “because I believe His Holiness is making a positive influence in our world.  For me, the film represented an opportunity to continue assisting the optimistic efforts of an extraordinary individual.”

The film features two of the quantum physicists who starred in the hit theatrical documentary “What the Bleep Do We Know”- Physicists Fred Alan Wolf and Amit Goswami. Also appearing in “Dalai Lama Renaissance” are Michael Beckwith (who appeared, with Wolf, in the film “The Secret”), Air America radio host Thom Hartmann, and other prominent figures.

“Hoop Dreams” Co-Filmmaker Frederick Marx calls Dalai Lama Renaissance a “Marvelous film! Dalai Lama Renaissance reminds us of some most important lessons.”

John Griffin of the Montreal Gazette called Dalai Lama Renaissance “a provocative, even enlightening film… fascinating, ravishingly beautiful and sonically soothing.” Bob Graham of the San Francisco Bay Times writes that the film is “an extraordinary portrait of His Holiness at work… Some of the best” comic scenes in any new film out there right now.”

On February 21, “Dalai Lama Renaissance” makes its New York premiere at the prestigious Ruben Museum of Art for several days. Producer-Director Khashyar Darvich will also appear in person for a Q&A during the February 21 and 22 screenings.

The DVD of the film is scheduled for release in April 2009.

More information can be found on the film’s official website, here: www.DalaiLamaFilm.com

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Tags: air america radio, Dalai Lama, fred alan wolf, frederick marx, harrison ford, himalayan mountains, hoop dreams, michael beckwith, quantum physicists, red vic movie house, san francisco bay times, theatrical documentary, thom hartmann, what the bleep do we know