Khashyar | January 19, 2010

The Dalai Lama Renaissance film, narrated by Harrison Ford (www.DalaiLamaFilm.com), and a Q&A with Director Khashyar Darvich, offer insights on inner peace to men behind bars, half of whom are incarcerated for murder.

HOUSTON, TX – In a rare opportunity to contemplate the nature of their own existence and explore the essence of inner peace, dozens of inmates at two Texas prisons gained insights during screenings of the award-winning documentary film Dalai Lama Renaissance, narrated by Harrison Ford (www.DalaiLamaFilm.com). The film screened at the prisons as part of an ethics program organized by “Project Clear Light,” a nonprofit Buddhist volunteer organization that works with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and is scheduled to screen at other prisons across the United States in the coming months.

“There is such joy in being able to show films like Dalai Lama Renaissance to inmates,” said Terry Conrad, a certified volunteer Chaplain’s assistant, and Director of Project Clear Light. “It is so rewarding to sit in meditation and have a conversation with them about what is really important, and to understand who we are and what we are capable of.”

Conrad asked the film’s Producer-Director, Khashyar Darvich, to show Dalai Lama Renaissance to inmates whom Conrad regularly meets with and teaches. With approval from prison administrators, two screenings were scheduled: one in the Stiles prison in Beaumont, Texas, and one in Ramsey prison, south of Houston. Darvich then volunteered to fly to Texas to speak with inmates after each screening. About half of the inmates in the prison audiences were convicted of murder.

“The intention of making this film was to impact audiences in a positive way,” said Director-Producer Khashyar Darvich of Wakan Films. “I had never been to a prison before, but I had a deep sense that inmates may have something to say about the film’s theme of overcoming the ego and opening one’s heart.”

Both Darvich’s and Conrad’s purpose in screening the film for inmates was to provide them with a message that urges them to focus on improving themselves from the inside out.

“I heard the Dalai Lama talking about the importance of compassion for compassion’s sake, because it’s the right thing to do,” said David, an inmate at the Ramsey Unit. “Because that’s what makes you happy inside, it’s what helps you develop inner peace…. When he started talking about it, I just started getting tingly all over…. It really touched me.”

“What I thought was so profound about the film was the child-like simplicity of the Dalai Lama and the profoundness of his understanding of how human nature and humanity works,” said Deon, another inmate at Ramsey.

The award-winning film, which is narrated by Harrison Ford, and has screened in hundreds of cinemas around the world in several languages, follows a group of Westerners who travel to India with the task of solving world problems under the spiritual guidance of the Dalai Lama. The film contrasts the Westerners’ intellectual approach to problem-solving against the enlightened approach of the Dalai Lama, and illustrates how the participants experience a profound personal transformation.

Besides opportunities for introspection, the film also offered inmates some chances to laugh at the imperfection of humanity.

“It was funny to see these super-smart people and realize that they were too smart for the task,” said Jason, a prisoner at Ramsey, about the scientists and other world thought-leaders in the film.

Inmate Kelly added, “I saw something in the Dalai Lama that I now see in my own personal life, which is joy and compassion and peace.”

At both prisons, the inmates were attentive to the film and looked for ways to apply its lessons to their personal lives.

“I took a few notes, but I feel like I missed about 20,000 more than I was able to put down,” said John, an inmate at Stiles prison.

Fellow Stiles inmate Antoine added, “I could watch something like this every day, especially in the environment I’m in. You know, it’s like a snake pit. But if you’ve got inner peace, you will affect every person around.”

Darvich plans to offer the film for screenings at other prisons around the country, and would like to attend and speak with other inmate groups in person.

“The fundamental intention of making this film was to impact and transform audiences in a positive way,” Darvich said,  “and I can think of no better place to screen the film than a prison.”

Details about Dalai Lama Renaissance and prison screenings are available at www.DalaiLamaFilm.com.

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Tags: beaumont texas, compassion, Dalai Lama, Dalai Lama Renaissance, documentary film, ethics program, film producer, harrison ford, inmates, inner peace, Khashyar Darvich, maximum security prison, men behind bars, peace, prison administrators, ramsey, rare opportunity, Screening, Screenings, serving time, south of houston, stiles, texas department of criminal justice, texas prisons, Tibet, volunteer chaplain, volunteer organization

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 7, 2009

COLUMBUS, OH & TULSA, OK - Because of high popular demand from audiences, and very strong turnout, “Dalai Lama Renaissance” is being held over for its third week in Tulsa, OK, and for its second week in Columbus, Ohio.

Amberla Tepe, the office manager at the Circle Cinema in Tulsa, Oklahoma, reported that “Dalai Lama Renaissance” has grossed more and attracted larger audiences than other the other films playing at the Circle Cinema.

Jeff Frank, the owner of the Drexel Theatre in Columbus, also reported very strong audience turnout and interest in “Dalai Lama Renaissance,” with “Dalai Lama Renaissance” turning out larger audiences than Oscar Nominated films that are currently playing.

This follows the record turnout two weeks ago at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where “Dalai Lama Renaissance” had the highest audience turnout and ticket sales in the 25 year history of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

The additional screening of “Dalai Lama Renaissance” in Tulsa at the Circle Cinema are:

Friday Feb 6 - 1:15 p.m.
Saturday Feb 7 at 4 p.m.
Sunday Feb 8 at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday Feb 10 at 2:30 p.m.
Thursday Feb 12 at 2:30 p.m.

The additional screenings at the Drexel Theatre in Columbus, Ohio are:

Saturday Feb 7 at 12:40
Sunday Feb 8 at 5:30
Thursday Feb 12 at 6:30

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Tags: cleveland museum of art, Columbus, columbus ohio, Dalai Lama Renaissance, drexel theatre, record turnout, Screenings, ticket sales, Tulsa, tulsa oklahoma

Khashyar | February 6, 2009

New York Theatrical Premiere - ‘Dalai Lama Renaissance’ Opens Feb. 21 at Rubin Museum of Art

“Dalai Lama Renaissance,” the award-winning 81-minute feature documentary narrated by Harrison Ford, premieres in New York City on Sat., Feb. 21 at 4 and 6 p.m. at the Rubin Museum of Art, 150 17th St. “Dalai Lama Renaissance” also screens at the museum at 4 and 6 p.m. on Sun., Feb. 22, and Sat., Feb. 28; and at 4 p.m. on Sun., March 1. A question-and-answer session with Producer/Director Khashyar Darvich follows each screening.

“Dalai Lama Renaissance” is among the top-grossing documentaries of 2008. This important film on human rights and world peace has screened in more than 40 cities around the U.S. and is the official selection of 40 film festivals around the world where it earned a dozen awards. The Jan. 25 screening of “Dalai Lama Renaissance” at the Cleveland Museum of Art sold out both auditoriums, a first in the museum’s 25-year history of screening films.

Air America Radio Host Thom Hartmann called Dalai Lama Renaissance “a fascinating and inspiring juxtaposition of human nature and transcendence.”

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.

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 protestors speaking out against Chinese policies in Tibet.

“I narrated Dalai Lama Renaissance,” said 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 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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Tags: Dalai Lama, Dalai Lama Renaissance, Khashyar Darvich, New York, Screenings

Khashyar | January 25, 2009

The screenings of “Dalai Lama Renaissance” at the Cleveland Museum of Art on Friday January 23 and Sunday January 25 were resounding successes.

On Sunday, there was such a demand from audiences to buy tickets and see “Dalai Lama Renaissance,” that a second theater was opened to simultaneously screen the film for the overflow audience.

Both theaters where sold out for the Sunday 1:30 p.m. screening, and there were over 2 dozen people at the ticket booth who wanted to see “Dalai Lama Renaissance,” but were not able to.

John Ewing, the film programmer for the Cleveland Museum of Art, told an audience before the Sunday screening of “Dalai Lama Renaissance” that this was the first time in 25 years that a film screening at the Cleveland Museum of Art sold out two theaters during the same scheduled time.

Both audiences filled one theater afterwards for a 40 minute question and answer session with Producer-Director Khashyar Darvich, a former Cleveland resident and Baldwin-Wallace College graduate who had not been in the city for 7 years.

“Coming to the midwest and screening “Dalai Lama Renaissance” for Ohio audiences feels like a homecoming.

Darvich grew up in Oxford, Ohio for 15 years, before moving to Cleveland for college.

“Dalai Lama Renaissance” and Darvich will also appear in other Ohio cities:

-January 26 - Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio
-January 27 - Bowling Green University in Huron, Ohio
-January 28 - Oxford Community Arts Center in Oxford, Ohio
-January 31 - February 4 - Drexel Theater in Columbus, Ohio

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Tags: overflow audience, record turnout, Screenings