Catanzaro – Richard Gere, one of Hollywood’s most famous and beloved actors, stopped by the regional citadel to meet journalists and onlookers who will be receiving the Magna Graecia Prize tonight in Catanzaro at the festival conceived and directed by Gianvito Casadonte . The American actor will be the protagonist in a conversation with the audience and will be shown in his honor in the evening in the arena of the Port of Catanzaro to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the film Officer and Gentleman directed by Taylot Hackford , in which Gere plays one of the most iconic roles of his career. The Vice-President of the Regional Council of Calabria, Giusi Princi, the Regional Councilor for Tourism, Fausto Orsomarso, and the Festival’s Artistic Director, Gianvito Casadonte, were present to welcome the star at the headquarters of the Calabria Region. Also present in the audience were the Commissioner of the Calabria Film Commission, Anton Giulio Grande, the Mayor of Catanzaro, Nicola Fiorita, and the goldsmith Michele Affidato, who created the “statuettes” of the festival. The President of the Regional Council, Roberto Occhiuto, who sent a video message of welcome and thanks to Gere, was absent because he was in Rome for institutional meetings.
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“We thank those who, like the Magna Grecia Film Festival, give a good reception – said Commissioner Orsomarso on the sidelines of the press conference – starting with its artistic director Gianvito Casadonte. The presence of Richard Gere, an international icon, in Calabria in the year that marks the 40th anniversary of the release of an officer and a gentleman is important because we hope that all our guests, starting with international stars, will witness a place For Anton Giulio Grande, “the presence of Gere testifies to the importance of a day of great prestige and international prestige. All the evenings of the festival were different and varied. Magna Greacia is a consolidated reality recognized not only nationally but also internationally Calabria?“A wonderful place to protect to preserve its beauty.” “I am happy to be in southern Italy, I am for the first time in Calabria – said Gere. A wonderful place, if you fly over by plane, you can see beautiful mountains, hills and a coast. Stop these places secret to preserve their beauty”.
Pursued by buglers, Gere spoke of his commitment to the cause of Tibetan independence while sipping tea with homemade biscuits. A bond that dates back to 1978, when Gere himself, after meeting the 14th Dalai Lama, became a practicing Tibetan Buddhist as well as an active supporter of the political figure of the Dalai Lama himself. Because he strongly supported the Tibetan independence movement, he was permanently banned from entering the People’s Republic of China. Regarding his relationship with the Buddhist religion, those who asked him if he would recommend it to others replied: “Are there 8 billion people in the world? I believe there should be 8 billion religious communities. I don’t expect anyone to become a Buddhist, what I expect is that everyone can find happiness in their own way and follow their own path.
Bruno Mirante
