“Dalai Lama Renaissance” (narrated by Harrison Ford) and Producer-Director Khashyar Darvich, come to Buffalo, New York on March 10

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

Renown Tibetan musician “Techung” makes Cleveland, Ohio premiere on March 7 and 8 at the Cleveland Cinemateque after “Dalai Lama Renaissance” screenings

Khashyar | March 3, 2009

Renown Tibetan musician Techung

CLEVELAND,OHIO- Renown Tibetan musician Techung, who wrote and recorded all of the Tibet music for ”Dalai Lama Renaissance”, and who recently peformed at Carnegie Hall with Phillip Glass, will be joining “Dalai Lama Renaissance” Producer-Director Khashyar Darvich for Q&A’s at the Cleveland Cinemateque in Cleveland, Ohio.

Techung will join Khashyar at the Saturday 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 4 p.m. screenings of the film at the Cleveland Cinemateque.

Techung is one of the most respected Tibetan musicians in the world, with his music used in other films.

His biography is below:

Tashi Dhondup Sharzur (Contributing Music)

Techung is a prominent Tibetan singer/songwriter living in exile in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is best known for his performances of traditional Tibetan music, dance, and opera under the name Tashi Dhondup Sharzur. He uses his childhood nickname, Techung, when performing as a solo artist. Whether performing in traditional or contemporary styles, Techung’s dual goals are to revive Tibetan music in the Tibetan community and to expose the rich performing cultural tradition of his homeland to the world community. In addition to being looked up to as one of the key keepers of traditional Tibetan musical traditions, Techung is also respected for the original solo and collaborative music he creates by drawing on both his own heritage and his familiarity with other world music traditions. Techung’s voice and music have been featured on the soundtracks of the IMAX film “Everest,” the feature film “Windhorse,” the documentary films “Stranger in My Native Land,” “Tibet’s Stolen Child,” and “Three Days for Tibet” (about a concert in Dharamsala with Joan Osborne, Zakir Hussein and other musicians). His music was also featured on PSA’s for the Milarepa Fund (promoting the 1999 Tibetan Freedom Concert), Students’ For a Free Tibet’s DVD demo “Tibet Will Be Free”, and Amnesty International (soliciting support for the human rights case of Ven. Palden Gyatso), as well as on an audio book by Diki Tsering titled “Dalai Lama, My Son.” His music is currently being used in the documentary film “What Remains of Us” which was selected at 2004 CANNES film festival. His music will be used in the upcoming Tibetan feature film “Dreaming of Lhasa” (working title: Poison Charm) directed by Tenzing Sonam and Ritu Sarin.

Tibetan musician "Techung" performing at Carnegie Hall with composer Phillip Glass. Techung wrote and performed most of the Tibetan music in the documentary film "Dalai Lama Renaissance"

Tibetan musician "Techung" performing at Carnegie Hall with composer Phillip Glass. Techung wrote and performed most of the Tibetan music in the documentary film "Dalai Lama Renaissance" . Photo taken by Sonam Zoksang

Hollywood Filmmaker from Ohio appears March 7 and 8 at Cleveland Cinemateque - Screening of ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ Includes Filmmaker Khashyar Darvich, Tibetan Musician Techung and Author Dr. Thomas A. Forsthoefel

Khashyar | March 2, 2009

HOLLYWOOD FILMMAKER FROM OHIO
APPEARS MARCH 7 AND 8 AT CINEMATHEQUE
Screening of ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ Includes Filmmaker Khashyar Darvich,
Tibetan Musician Techung and Author Dr. Thomas A. Forsthoefel

WHO:
Khashyar Darvich — Hollywood filmmaker, Ohio native, Baldwin-Wallace College alumnus
Techung — Renowned Tibetan musician, songwriter and recording artist
Dr. Tom Forsthoefel — Author of ‘The Dalai Lama: Essential Writings’ and Chair, Religious Studies Department, Mercyhurst College

WHAT:
Screening of ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance,’ narrated by Harrison Ford; Q&A with Khashyar Darvich and Dr. Tom Forsthoefel; and musical performance by Techung.

WHEN:
7:30 p.m., Sat., March 7, 2009; 4 p.m., Sun., March 8, 2009

WHERE:
The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque, 11141 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106-1710

EVENT DETAILS:
‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ the award-winning 81-minute documentary feature narrated by Harrison Ford, screens at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque, 11141 East Blvd. The film’s screening earlier this year at the Cleveland Museum of Art drew the largest audience of any film in the museum’s 25-year history of showing films.

‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ is produced and directed by Oxford, Ohio, native and Baldwin-Wallace College alumnus Khashyar Darvich. A Q&A session with Darvich will follow the screening. See his bio online at http://www.dalailamafilm.com/Khashyar-Darvich-Biography.html.

Following the Q&A, Tibetan musician, composer and recording artist Techung will perform on the Tibetan lute and flute. Techung wrote and recorded the soundtrack music for ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance.’ He recently performed at Carnegie Hall with jazz musician Phillip Glass. Techung is best known for his performances of traditional Tibetan music, dance, and opera under the name Tashi Dhondup Sharzur. Techung’s credits include vocal and musical performances on the soundtracks of ‘Everest,’ ‘Windhorse’ and the upcoming Tibetan feature film ‘Dreaming of Lhasa.’ His work is also featured in the audio book ‘Dalai Lama, My Son’ by Diki Tsering.

Joining Darvich in the Q&A will be Dr. Thomas A. Forsthoefel, Chair of the Religious Studies Department at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa. Forsthoefel is the author of ‘The Dalai Lama: Essential Writings,’ a compilation of teachings on wisdom, compassion, and meditation by the 14th Dalai Lama.

VENUE DETAILS:
Date: March 7, 2009 and March 8, 2009
Times: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 7; 4 p.m., Sunday, March 8
Theater Name: Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque
Theater Address: 11141 East Blvd., Cleveland
Theater Web Site: www.cia.edu/cinematheque
Theater Phone: 216-421-7450 or 800-223-4700

ABOUT ‘DALAI LAMA RENAISSANCE’
‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ is among the top-grossing documentaries of 2008. This important film on human rights and world peace has played to sold-out audiences at film festivals around the world. “Dalai Lama Renaissance” has earned 12 film festival awards, and is the official selection of 40 film festivals around the world.

The film 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,’ Physicists Fred Alan Wolf and Amit Goswami. Also appearing in ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ are Michael Beckwith (who appears in the film ‘The Secret’ with Wolf), Air America radio host Thom Hartmann, and others.

The film’s official website is www.DalaiLamaFilm.com.

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