Richard Gere on Tibet, the Dalai Lama & U.S.–China Human Rights (1991)

Actor and activist Richard Gere joins a Tibetan representative to discuss the Dalai Lama’s 1991 U.S. visit, nonviolent resistance, and the human-rights crisis in Tibet—from mass population transfers and cultural erasure to forced-labor concerns tied to Chinese imports. Gere reflects on his personal spiritual evolution, his friendship with the Dalai Lama, and the founding of Tibet House as a cultural and political advocacy center. Together, they explore the moral and geopolitical stakes of Tibet’s struggle for survival — and why Gere believes trade relations with China must be tied to human rights. 00:00 – Introduction: Dalai Lama’s visit and its purpose 00:46 – The message of nonviolence and the planned “peace trip” 01:54 – Demographic invasion and Tibetans becoming a minority 02:53 – Over a million dead and ongoing human-rights abuses 03:14 – The significance of the Bush administration’s meeting 03:33 – Gere: linking U.S.–China trade status to human rights 04:13 – Gere’s path from Buddhism to activism 05:10 – The creation and mission of Tibet House 06:49 – The debate over autonomy, sovereignty, and compromise 07:45 – Why Tibet matters geopolitically — “the roof of the world” 09:53 – Rebuilding monasteries: cultural resilience after occupation 10:41 – The Dalai Lama as scholar, statesman, and spiritual leader 12:31 – China’s expansionist aims and Tibet’s strategic value 14:16 – The “zone of peace” vision and Tibetan medicine 15:43 – Gere on the Dalai Lama’s compassion and presence 16:26 – Closing reflections Film Discussion is a curated interview archive and conversation series presented by Occupy Cinema. We spotlight the minds behind the movies—actors, directors, writers, and cultural critics—through thoughtful interviews, archival footage, and contemporary conversations. From Broadway to global cinema, Film Discussion explores the craft, politics, and impact of storytelling on screen and stage. Join our community of 800+ filmmakers: https://occupy.beehiiv.com/subscribe Instagram:   / filmdiscussion_   Facebook:   / filmdiscussionofficial   Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/filmdiscussion #RichardGere #FilmDiscussion