Host of the Magna Grecia Film Festival, Richard Gere took the opportunity to remember the importance of community, art and the pursuit of one’s own happiness.
Richard Gere is one of the protagonists of the edition number 19 of Magna Grecia Film Festivalthe event conceived and directed by Gianvito Casadonte, and during the meeting with the press he took the opportunity to address issues that are very close to his heart such as the importance of the community, also with regard to the vision of the film, of the safeguarding natural beauty and the pursuit of one’s own happiness.
The star of international cinema was unable, even on this occasion, to escape a question about the cult Pretty Woman, but he used the question to comment on a certain lack of originality that currently distinguishes the film industry.
A welcome return to Italy
For Richard Gere the opportunity to return to Italy came thanks to the 2022 edition of the Magna Grecia Film Festival, scheduled from 30 July to 7 August, an event that sees him as the protagonist with a masterclass immediately sold out in the presence of the public and in an evening in which he will receive the Golden Column award.
The actor explained: “I am always happy to be able to return to Italy, in the last two and a half years due to COVID I have not been around much and this is one of the first times I travel. I think it is very suitable because I consider Italy as a second home. And I am happy to be in the south, it is my first time in Calabria and coming by plane I saw the beautiful hills, mountains, the coast … These places are fabulous and I hope you will keep them that way, keep them a little secret to avoid that these places are ruined“.
The pandemic could not miss in the thoughts of the international film star who therefore took the opportunity to reflect on the changes taking place in the film industry: “With COVID people have gotten used to not going to the cinema and I’m not sure what will happen to the cinema in the future, there could be radical changes in the way films are seen and made. But it’s nice to always have a home in these festivals, especially these local festivals that focus on the community, the places where they take place. People come together in a special way, it is not something commercial, there is a sense of community, sharing, there is the beauty of sharing the narration and participation of people and local administrations and realities“.
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A collective experience to be safeguarded
Gere then commented on the changes related to the evolution of technology that in recent years has made streaming platforms the absolute protagonists. The actor ironically pointed out: “I am a dinosaur and I am happy to be one“.
The change taking place, however, is undeniable: “COVID has radically changed everything, but even before that technology, with smartphones and new devices, has changed it as regards the use of the works. The good thing is that there are always ways to see films, independent projects have a chance to be seen, but what is missing is the sense of community, that collective experience. From the beginning when stories were told around the fire there was a sense of community, of something that enriched everyone present“.
A possible sequel to Pretty Woman
For decades, Richard Gere’s name has been inextricably linked to the comedy that saw him star alongside his friend and colleague Julia Roberts. The actor, answering a question related to the possible production of a remake or a reboot of the cult film, revealed that a sequel had not been ruled out in the past: “I think there has been talk of a possible project related to Pretty Woman. From time to time Garry Marshall would come up to Julia and me to talk and say, ‘What if … What if the character wants to make a career in politics, they get married and the prostitute background is discovered?’ But a script was never made“.
The film’s success had even caught its filmmakers off guard: “We made a small film in the best way, we didn’t expect that success, but then there was a magic around it, you can’t predict that magic, it just happens and it’s one of the most extraordinary things in movies. A bit like falling in love: it just happens. The idea of reboot, remake and all the rest … I can understand that business from a commercial and economic point of view dictates it, but artistically it makes no sense“.
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A future as a father, not as a director
In years in which many actors are busy behind and in front of the camera, Gere has not yet made a directorial debut of a film and the situation does not seem destined to change very soon. The actor recalled what he appreciates about working on set: “In some ways I’m a pain in the ass for directors, I know too much, but I’ve been very lucky because I’ve collaborated in a positive way with filmmakers. Directors are not like gods, untouchable and unreachable, it is always a collaboration and the various tasks overlap and mix a little. Some films I wanted to direct because I didn’t have a great relationship with the directors, but most of the time I was satisfied“.
However, his experiences as an actor did not push him to want to change roles for a very specific and personal reason: “It could happen in the future, but I have four children who require time and attention and being a director takes a lot of time and work. I prefer to spend it with my children“.
The pursuit of happiness according to Richard Gere
For many years the star’s name has also been linked to her Buddhist faith, but Gere shared her opinion regarding spirituality: “There are about 8 billion people on Earth and there should be about 8 billion religions on Earth. I never expected someone to become Buddhist by following my example, I hope that people become happy and remove their suffering, but everyone has to achieve happiness in their own way, following their own path. ”
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Richard Gere finally concluded his meeting by sharing a hope of his under the banner, also in this case, of the idea of community and closeness between people: “There is a prayer that I often think about and it is about the desire to connect with various religions and divinities. We have all practiced different religions at one time or another in our lives, but we all want to connect with the universe, feel a sense of belonging, go towards love and freedom. The important thing is the motivation, not the path“.
Richard Gere: “Festivals will save the collective experience of seeing a film”