Director Will Parrinello; Richard Gere; Composer Steve Messina
©Getty Images, photo credit: Amy Sussman
Though better known as an actor, Richard Gere came out to the Tribeca Cinemas Sunday afternoon in support of a new project, the short film Mustang—A Journey of Transformation. The story, which Gere also narrated, is one close to Gere's heart, given his decades-long association with Tibetan issues and culture.
In the film, director Will Parrinello explores the efforts to strengthen and sustain 15th-Century Tibetan culture through support and historical restoration of Tibet's sacred sites. (Watch the trailer here.) Interestingly enough, Gere was introducted to Parrinello by Tribeca Shorts Programmer Sharon Badal, so it was a natural fit for the Festival. Other voices in the film include His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the King of Mustang, and Luigi Fieni, the chief art restorer.
Parrinello has made documentary films for over two decades, and has worked as a director, a producer, an editor, and a director of photography.
Mustang—A Journey of Transformation screened as part of the Shorts: Time Will Tell program.