ABOUT THE PROJECT
LOGLINE
Sharing stories from their extraordinary lives, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu are living paragons of how to live with Joy in troubled times.
SYNOPSIS Told in their own words, MISSION: JOY presents the stories of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, their world-bridging and laughter-filled friendship, and their shared mission to bring joy and light to a despairing world. Inspired by the million-copy international bestseller The Book of Joy, and directed by Academy Award®-winning director Louie Psihoyos, the film invites viewers to join the holy men on an unprecedentedly intimate journey during the historic week they spent together at the Dalai Lama’s home laughing, crying and sharing the secrets of life.
Brought to life with rare archival footage and stirring animation, there are no more compelling origin stories than the epic lives of these two men: one a poor farm boy, discovered to be an incarnate Buddha, who became the boy-ruler of his people, and the other, a poor township urchin, who would go on to lead a peaceful movement to bring down one of the most ruthless and racist regimes in modern times.
Despite the ordeals through which each has endured, both have achieved inner joy and compassion. They are able to “right-size” life, putting the trials of living in the modern age into the correct perspective. The absolute gift of MISSION: JOY is that these self-described mischievous brothers, international icons who transcend religion, give a master class in how to live, laugh and love in a world that was never easy for them.
At times laugh-out-loud funny and often deeply moving, MISSION: JOY appeals to engages viewers of all backgrounds and ages, evoking learning without teaching and creating indelible memories as only stories can. The intention for the film is that MISSION: JOY be the spark that lights a burning desire to change ourselves and the world.
PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature
DIRECTOR Louie Psihoyos
PRODUCER Peggy Callahan, Mark Monroe
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Regina K Scully, Darla Anderson, Geralyn Dreyfous, Orly Ravid, Doug Abrams, Peggy Callahan, Louie Psihoyos
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