October 15, 2025 • 20 mins
On this episode of The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham talks with Swiss filmmaker Barbara Miller about her documentary Wisdom of Happiness, in which she films an intimate dialogue with the Dalai Lama about compassion, peace, and resilience in times of crisis.
They explore how she captured such candor and warmth, her collaborations, and why kindness is at the heart of lasting transformation.
The Sounds of Film has featured past guests such as Billy Joel, Cornel West, Jimmy Webb, Chuck D, Michael Moore, Carter Burwell, Jim Messina, and members of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad Ensemble. You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Hi, this is Tom Needham and you are listening to the sounds of
film. Today we are joined by Barbara
Miller, the award-winning director of Wisdom of Happiness,
a moving documentary featuring an intimate conversation with
His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The film explores how
compassion, kindness, and self-awareness can transform
(00:24):
both of our personal lives and the wider world, even in times
of chaos and uncertainty. Barbara, thank you so much today
for joining us on The Sounds of Film.
Thank you so much Tom for havingme.
Yeah, this is an amazing film. What inspired you to make Wisdom
of Happiness? Thank you.
I mean, the idea and the goal really was to bring this ancient
(00:48):
knowledge, to combine it with our modern world because I think
we are living in really difficult times, in uncertain
times. And we realized that this
knowledge that the Dalai Lama can bring us can really help us.
Yeah, our modern people in the daily life to overcome this
(01:10):
uncertainties, this insecurities, maybe also the
stress we have in our daily lives.
And this was really the motivation to do this
documentary. Can you give our listeners a
little sense of what they're going to see if they watch this
movie? The Dalai Lama is speaking
directly into the camera. He speaks throughout the whole
(01:31):
film. There's music, there's images
that go along with what he's saying.
What was it visually in terms ofmaking this film that you hope
to accomplish? I mean, it really should be an
experience. I think this was the main goal
that that the audience can experience this knowledge, can
(01:52):
experience this, let's say, way of living also to find in chaos
in in certain times, this inner peace.
And also on an individual level,find a way of happiness.
And with it, if if you find inner peace and inner happiness,
you can also transform it to bring more, yeah, maybe
(02:16):
awareness, mindfulness and also love to the world.
So we really hope or really wanted to achieve this immersive
experience that when you're in the theatre that you can really
feel it and go through it and internalize it.
That's that was really the goal of doing this documentary in the
way we did it in combination with the different archive
(02:41):
material, as you said, the interview with the Dalai Lama
directly speaking to the audience.
So in a way creating, yeah, an intimate conversation also from
the Dalai Lama to each person that is watching the film.
And I mean, we're really happy that Manuel Bauer, who was the
(03:01):
personal photographer of the Dalai Lama for over 30 years and
who created a lot of this reallyworld known images of the Dalai
Lama, that he for the first timeand worked as a cinematographer.
So yeah, in a combination of these things really was how we
tried to to, yeah, to realise this documentary.
(03:26):
Barbara, what did it mean to youpersonally to be involved in
this film? I mean, I've known the Dalai
Lama or he as a person since since I was a kid, since I was a
little girl, because my mom sometimes took me to some
teachings of the Dalai Lama. And of course, I mean, he was,
(03:47):
you know, we're talking also about Buddhism, which was really
complicated for me at that time and which we didn't want it, you
know, to include also in the film.
I mean, it's, of course, it's coming from the Buddhist
thinking, but we really wanted to bring it down to, to the
essence of life. And for me personally, to have
(04:08):
the possibility to meet the Dalai Lama and really see what
what personality he is, what kind person, how much, yeah, you
can say maybe kindness and love and compassion you can really
feel in his presence. I mean, this was really a
special moment. And I really hope that with the
(04:30):
way how we did this documentary,that everyone who sees the film
can can feel this, this feeling that that we had working with
him. It's such an amazing medium
film. It can go all over the world, it
can be shown everywhere. And the message in the film that
you were talking about earlier is is so important.
(04:52):
People everywhere have problems finding happiness.
What did you learn about this subject in making this film?
In terms of happiness? Why is it so hard for people to
find happiness? I mean, as the Dalai Lama
explains it in Wisdom of Happiness, it's really because
we are so often overwhelmed fromfrom negative feelings from
(05:19):
negative things that are happening around us.
And so often we forget how to find this space in our self
that's called maybe inner peace or this calmness that we all
have. And if we just try to, yeah, to
(05:39):
get connected to ourselves, our inner selves, which he says is,
is really easy in just breathingmore calmly.
If you have a strong feelings that are overwhelming you,
taking a step back and trying tounderstand what's happening.
So it means happiness you can find in your daily lives in a
(06:00):
lot of things. And what I think is really also
important that what he says, I mean, in the way if you learn to
have happiness inside yourself, that you can also be totally
different with other people. That this feeling of community
and care and love, we can give each other.
And yeah, help us in a way to see the world in a different
(06:25):
way. I think really these are these
pieces that can give us a way tofind happiness in ourselves, but
also with with our beloved ones,with our families, with our
friends, but as the Dalai Lama said, also with our so-called
enemies. Yeah, that was fascinating.
(06:45):
Tell me about the actual talk that he gives in the film.
What was this something where you pulled from a long talk that
he gave, or from different talks?
Or was this something that was written specifically for the
film? Tell me about the words.
I mean, we had two things. I mean, 1 was really this
(07:07):
interview, the direct interview I, I did with him, him where I
asked him question and he responded.
But of course, I mean, it's the Dalai Lama.
You asked one thing and then he really tells you he opens a
whole universe, which is really,really beautiful.
He also talks about his father and his mother and very personal
(07:28):
things. And as at this day he didn't
felt so well. His entourage said it shouldn't
be longer than an hour to interview.
So we had to find like in between the interview parts from
his world, known speeches. We took some pieces to get
(07:49):
really these 90 minutes where he's talking about the most
important things for him, for our modern world.
I mean, a lot of people also have seen the film said it's
like a legacy in a way, because probably it's the last long
interview he will ever be able to give.
Or he. Yeah.
(08:09):
And of course he's addressing all these things.
He really cares. I mean, the unity of humanity,
that we are all equal, no matterwhich colour or which faith or
where we are coming from, that it's so important to find
dialogue instead of fighting or wars, that it's important to
(08:34):
find peace, of course that we have.
What he really cares, I mean deeply cares, is about the
situation of the world, that we protect our planet, which he
says, of course, it's the only thing we have and it's our home.
So for us, it was really important to really take this
core message, to have them in the center of the film.
(08:59):
That must have been just very, very like a huge responsibility
on you. When you're doing that
interview, you have limited time, you're planning on making
this film. It's a legacy project as you
mentioned. How did you handle that stress?
We're we're talking about being able to stay calm and be happy
(09:21):
and but still, it's such a tremendous responsibility.
It's amazing that you were able to go in there in his presence
and capture this. How did you do it?
I mean, the way how he is, I mean, helped so much.
I mean, of course we were preparing.
It's in Dharamsala, you know, we're in the Himalayan mountains
(09:42):
and where he's living since 6 / 60 years in exile.
And we had an Indian and the Swiss crew.
And I mean, it was really, we had two days to prepare
everything in his private room. So we were extremely nervous,
everyone. And we tried to stay calm, as
you said. But the moment he entered the
room, I mean, everything changed.
(10:06):
He was so kind and funny and made some chokes.
So he made us feel so at ease. So, yeah, as if we we would know
him for a long time. So it was totally easy to do
this interview afterwards because he's really, he's so
open hearted. So I mean, there was no space
(10:27):
for nervousness. Wow.
So yeah, this was really wonderful how he, yeah.
He gave us the space to, to, to be there as human beings and to
meet each other as, as human beings.
As he always says, we are all equal.
One of the things that's fascinating is I I understand
this film has been shown all over the world and people of all
(10:49):
different faiths have been watching it.
It's amazing that he's able to appeal to people from all
different backgrounds. What?
Why do you think that is? I think because in a way he's so
or no he is definitely anti dogmatic.
I mean he always said his the whole life he was open to all
(11:12):
religions, to non believers, to believers.
And he always said everyone should really believe in what he
or she believes no matter which faith you're having.
And it was also interesting talking with him about
religions. And he says all, all religions
have the same goal to to be kindto each other, to find peace, to
(11:35):
be tolerant, to be open. And what he's also says is that
secular ethics, as he calls it, in a way that's human rights.
He thinks that's really the coreessence of everything, that we
really see each other no matter where we're coming from as human
(11:56):
beings. So this trying to not separate
people, what is happening so often and they and we and they
and we are different. No, he really says the most
important thing is to see that we, we're just humanity.
Yeah, a lot of people sometimes in the world will come to his
(12:19):
words through music or film. In your case, I was a big
Beastie Boys fan and I was hearing a lot about the Dalai
Lama. Richard Gere, you know, this is
a film show, has been known to have a connection to the Dalai
Lama for many years. He's associated with this film.
Tell me about Richard Gere and what you learned about his
(12:40):
connection to the Dalai Lama. Yeah.
I mean, this was so wonderful that we, when we managed to work
with Richard Gere, I mean, it was really difficult to get an
access to him. But when we had a rough cut,
producer Philippe Deloche managed to get in touch with
him. And Richard and his wife,
Alejandra and Denise from the Dalai Lama came to watch the
(13:05):
rough cut. And they were so moved.
And I mean, Alejandra was cryingand said, wow, it's so wonderful
to see this work. And Richard agreed to be an
executive producer, but he said,you know, I have so much
knowledge and I have so much inside from this many years that
I followed the Dalai Lama that I'm engaged in in helping Tibet
(13:30):
and what is happening in the situation there.
Why don't we work together? So we came to New York.
We were able to set up an editing room together with Oren
Moverman, who's a close friend of Richard.
And we had two months where we really worked in editing.
(13:51):
And this was so wonderful because, I mean, Richard has
such a huge knowledge about Buddhism, about Tibet, so much
insight, so much care and love. And it was wonderful to be Yeah,
together with Richard Gere and, and working on this piece.
And I mean, it was really a hugegift.
(14:14):
Well, it will certainly give thefilm some extra attention.
Not that it needs it though. This film is very powerful and
there's so many things that are said that you would expect, but
also some that maybe, you know, some people might hear for the
first time. One thing that I was amazed at
is when he started speaking about women and he, he probably
(14:37):
has spoken about it his whole life.
But can you tell us what you learned from filming this movie
about how he distinguishes womenas being special in terms of
their feeling and empathy? Yeah, I mean, he, he talked
about his mother. That was such a warm hearted
(14:57):
person. And he said, he says in the film
that his mother was for him, thefirst guru of compassion, where
he learned what it really means to love, what it really means
to, to embrace all human beings.And the Dalai Lama really
believes in, in the force of, ofwomen in the sense because they
(15:22):
their empathy, their feeling of care for the world.
And he mentions that if more women would be leaders, world
leaders, he's really believes that the world would be much
more in peace. And a wonderful thing, which was
really so beautiful that he said, is that it could be that
(15:44):
the successor, his successor will be female.
And I mean, this is really wonderful to hear from.
Yeah. Such a such a yeah figure, such
a wonderful person. So I think it's really great to
hear that and see that, yeah, hereally believes that everyone
(16:06):
is, no matter if you're male or female or whatever gender you
have. And he seems like such a curious
person. He talks about his fascination
with science. Can you tell me what you learned
about that as well? Yeah, I mean, this is really
interesting also. He's not only, you know, talking
about emotion and the soul, but he really says that it's so
(16:31):
important to use our mind, our minds, and that science is one
of these elements in our life which we really should use and
which we should be interested inand which which we should listen
to also. And this combination of, let's
say, head and heart, which the Dalai Lama is offering to us,
(16:55):
and this, yeah, telling us that it's so important to combine it.
I think this is really, really special because it's not just
believing, but it's always questioning.
That's what he says is always important also in his daily
life, to question what Buddha said, to question what someone
in politics says, to question what everyone says and try to
(17:19):
find the truth. And I think this is really,
really, really interesting to see how he handled these
different aspects of life and how he tries to to help us to
navigate through it. And, and you put together all
these various ideas so well in the editing process and, and one
of the things that really bringsit to the next level, some of
(17:40):
the music in the film really quickly.
Can you just tell me about the music?
Oh yeah, We had this incredible chance to work with Ariel Marx,
who is a young composer from LA and she was pregnant when he
she. We addressed her through our
mover men and when she saw the film, she said, yes, I want to
(18:03):
work on it. And she gave birth and two weeks
later she she started to composethe music.
And I mean, I think it's really one of these elements which
helps so much to make it to a cinematic experience, to make it
to that we can really experiencethis knowledge and feel it
deeply in our hearts. Well, you're absolutely right,
(18:26):
and this is a cinematic experience.
People have to see this in theaters and and really take it
all in. When people go to see your
movie, what is the number one thing that you're hoping that
people will take away from this film?
I really hope that people are taking away hope, this feeling
of yeah, I mean, we can do something.
(18:48):
Everyone can do something for their self to find their inner
happiness, but also for the world, that the world can in a
way heal, that we can find refined dialogue and love and
care. And yeah, that this will spread.
I really hope that that this people can take with them when
(19:13):
they're have seen this movie to be more happy, more calm, more
positive also. And Barbara where?
Online can people learn more about your film Wisdom of
Happiness? It's Wisdom of happiness.com,
it's our website and there you can find, I mean there will be
(19:34):
the release now on the 16 all over the US and North America
and it will go on for the next month to be seen in different
cities. So yeah, please go on the
website and see where you can have a screening, see a
screening. And yeah, I'm so happy, yeah,
(19:54):
that I was able to talk to you. Thank you so much for having me.
And I really hope that we can reach as much hearts and minds
as possible also in the United States.
Thank you. Barbara.
Thank you so much, Tom.
Hi, this is Tom Needham and you are listening to the sounds of
film. Today we are joined by Barbara
Miller, the award-winning director of Wisdom of Happiness,
a moving documentary featuring an intimate conversation with
His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The film explores how
compassion, kindness, and self-awareness can transform
(00:24):
both of our personal lives and the wider world, even in times
of chaos and uncertainty. Barbara, thank you so much today
for joining us on The Sounds of Film.
Thank you so much Tom for havingme.
Yeah, this is an amazing film. What inspired you to make Wisdom
of Happiness? Thank you.
I mean, the idea and the goal really was to bring this ancient
(00:48):
knowledge, to combine it with our modern world because I think
we are living in really difficult times, in uncertain
times. And we realized that this
knowledge that the Dalai Lama can bring us can really help us.
Yeah, our modern people in the daily life to overcome this
(01:10):
uncertainties, this insecurities, maybe also the
stress we have in our daily lives.
And this was really the motivation to do this
documentary. Can you give our listeners a
little sense of what they're going to see if they watch this
movie? The Dalai Lama is speaking
directly into the camera. He speaks throughout the whole
(01:31):
film. There's music, there's images
that go along with what he's saying.
What was it visually in terms ofmaking this film that you hope
to accomplish? I mean, it really should be an
experience. I think this was the main goal
that that the audience can experience this knowledge, can
(01:52):
experience this, let's say, way of living also to find in chaos
in in certain times, this inner peace.
And also on an individual level,find a way of happiness.
And with it, if if you find inner peace and inner happiness,
you can also transform it to bring more, yeah, maybe
(02:16):
awareness, mindfulness and also love to the world.
So we really hope or really wanted to achieve this immersive
experience that when you're in the theatre that you can really
feel it and go through it and internalize it.
That's that was really the goal of doing this documentary in the
way we did it in combination with the different archive
(02:41):
material, as you said, the interview with the Dalai Lama
directly speaking to the audience.
So in a way creating, yeah, an intimate conversation also from
the Dalai Lama to each person that is watching the film.
And I mean, we're really happy that Manuel Bauer, who was the
(03:01):
personal photographer of the Dalai Lama for over 30 years and
who created a lot of this reallyworld known images of the Dalai
Lama, that he for the first timeand worked as a cinematographer.
So yeah, in a combination of these things really was how we
tried to to, yeah, to realise this documentary.
(03:26):
Barbara, what did it mean to youpersonally to be involved in
this film? I mean, I've known the Dalai
Lama or he as a person since since I was a kid, since I was a
little girl, because my mom sometimes took me to some
teachings of the Dalai Lama. And of course, I mean, he was,
(03:47):
you know, we're talking also about Buddhism, which was really
complicated for me at that time and which we didn't want it, you
know, to include also in the film.
I mean, it's, of course, it's coming from the Buddhist
thinking, but we really wanted to bring it down to, to the
essence of life. And for me personally, to have
(04:08):
the possibility to meet the Dalai Lama and really see what
what personality he is, what kind person, how much, yeah, you
can say maybe kindness and love and compassion you can really
feel in his presence. I mean, this was really a
special moment. And I really hope that with the
(04:30):
way how we did this documentary,that everyone who sees the film
can can feel this, this feeling that that we had working with
him. It's such an amazing medium
film. It can go all over the world, it
can be shown everywhere. And the message in the film that
you were talking about earlier is is so important.
(04:52):
People everywhere have problems finding happiness.
What did you learn about this subject in making this film?
In terms of happiness? Why is it so hard for people to
find happiness? I mean, as the Dalai Lama
explains it in Wisdom of Happiness, it's really because
we are so often overwhelmed fromfrom negative feelings from
(05:19):
negative things that are happening around us.
And so often we forget how to find this space in our self
that's called maybe inner peace or this calmness that we all
have. And if we just try to, yeah, to
(05:39):
get connected to ourselves, our inner selves, which he says is,
is really easy in just breathingmore calmly.
If you have a strong feelings that are overwhelming you,
taking a step back and trying tounderstand what's happening.
So it means happiness you can find in your daily lives in a
(06:00):
lot of things. And what I think is really also
important that what he says, I mean, in the way if you learn to
have happiness inside yourself, that you can also be totally
different with other people. That this feeling of community
and care and love, we can give each other.
And yeah, help us in a way to see the world in a different
(06:25):
way. I think really these are these
pieces that can give us a way tofind happiness in ourselves, but
also with with our beloved ones,with our families, with our
friends, but as the Dalai Lama said, also with our so-called
enemies. Yeah, that was fascinating.
(06:45):
Tell me about the actual talk that he gives in the film.
What was this something where you pulled from a long talk that
he gave, or from different talks?
Or was this something that was written specifically for the
film? Tell me about the words.
I mean, we had two things. I mean, 1 was really this
(07:07):
interview, the direct interview I, I did with him, him where I
asked him question and he responded.
But of course, I mean, it's the Dalai Lama.
You asked one thing and then he really tells you he opens a
whole universe, which is really,really beautiful.
He also talks about his father and his mother and very personal
(07:28):
things. And as at this day he didn't
felt so well. His entourage said it shouldn't
be longer than an hour to interview.
So we had to find like in between the interview parts from
his world, known speeches. We took some pieces to get
(07:49):
really these 90 minutes where he's talking about the most
important things for him, for our modern world.
I mean, a lot of people also have seen the film said it's
like a legacy in a way, because probably it's the last long
interview he will ever be able to give.
Or he. Yeah.
(08:09):
And of course he's addressing all these things.
He really cares. I mean, the unity of humanity,
that we are all equal, no matterwhich colour or which faith or
where we are coming from, that it's so important to find
dialogue instead of fighting or wars, that it's important to
(08:34):
find peace, of course that we have.
What he really cares, I mean deeply cares, is about the
situation of the world, that we protect our planet, which he
says, of course, it's the only thing we have and it's our home.
So for us, it was really important to really take this
core message, to have them in the center of the film.
(08:59):
That must have been just very, very like a huge responsibility
on you. When you're doing that
interview, you have limited time, you're planning on making
this film. It's a legacy project as you
mentioned. How did you handle that stress?
We're we're talking about being able to stay calm and be happy
(09:21):
and but still, it's such a tremendous responsibility.
It's amazing that you were able to go in there in his presence
and capture this. How did you do it?
I mean, the way how he is, I mean, helped so much.
I mean, of course we were preparing.
It's in Dharamsala, you know, we're in the Himalayan mountains
(09:42):
and where he's living since 6 / 60 years in exile.
And we had an Indian and the Swiss crew.
And I mean, it was really, we had two days to prepare
everything in his private room. So we were extremely nervous,
everyone. And we tried to stay calm, as
you said. But the moment he entered the
room, I mean, everything changed.
(10:06):
He was so kind and funny and made some chokes.
So he made us feel so at ease. So, yeah, as if we we would know
him for a long time. So it was totally easy to do
this interview afterwards because he's really, he's so
open hearted. So I mean, there was no space
(10:27):
for nervousness. Wow.
So yeah, this was really wonderful how he, yeah.
He gave us the space to, to, to be there as human beings and to
meet each other as, as human beings.
As he always says, we are all equal.
One of the things that's fascinating is I I understand
this film has been shown all over the world and people of all
(10:49):
different faiths have been watching it.
It's amazing that he's able to appeal to people from all
different backgrounds. What?
Why do you think that is? I think because in a way he's so
or no he is definitely anti dogmatic.
I mean he always said his the whole life he was open to all
(11:12):
religions, to non believers, to believers.
And he always said everyone should really believe in what he
or she believes no matter which faith you're having.
And it was also interesting talking with him about
religions. And he says all, all religions
have the same goal to to be kindto each other, to find peace, to
(11:35):
be tolerant, to be open. And what he's also says is that
secular ethics, as he calls it, in a way that's human rights.
He thinks that's really the coreessence of everything, that we
really see each other no matter where we're coming from as human
(11:56):
beings. So this trying to not separate
people, what is happening so often and they and we and they
and we are different. No, he really says the most
important thing is to see that we, we're just humanity.
Yeah, a lot of people sometimes in the world will come to his
(12:19):
words through music or film. In your case, I was a big
Beastie Boys fan and I was hearing a lot about the Dalai
Lama. Richard Gere, you know, this is
a film show, has been known to have a connection to the Dalai
Lama for many years. He's associated with this film.
Tell me about Richard Gere and what you learned about his
(12:40):
connection to the Dalai Lama. Yeah.
I mean, this was so wonderful that we, when we managed to work
with Richard Gere, I mean, it was really difficult to get an
access to him. But when we had a rough cut,
producer Philippe Deloche managed to get in touch with
him. And Richard and his wife,
Alejandra and Denise from the Dalai Lama came to watch the
(13:05):
rough cut. And they were so moved.
And I mean, Alejandra was cryingand said, wow, it's so wonderful
to see this work. And Richard agreed to be an
executive producer, but he said,you know, I have so much
knowledge and I have so much inside from this many years that
I followed the Dalai Lama that I'm engaged in in helping Tibet
(13:30):
and what is happening in the situation there.
Why don't we work together? So we came to New York.
We were able to set up an editing room together with Oren
Moverman, who's a close friend of Richard.
And we had two months where we really worked in editing.
(13:51):
And this was so wonderful because, I mean, Richard has
such a huge knowledge about Buddhism, about Tibet, so much
insight, so much care and love. And it was wonderful to be Yeah,
together with Richard Gere and, and working on this piece.
And I mean, it was really a hugegift.
(14:14):
Well, it will certainly give thefilm some extra attention.
Not that it needs it though. This film is very powerful and
there's so many things that are said that you would expect, but
also some that maybe, you know, some people might hear for the
first time. One thing that I was amazed at
is when he started speaking about women and he, he probably
(14:37):
has spoken about it his whole life.
But can you tell us what you learned from filming this movie
about how he distinguishes womenas being special in terms of
their feeling and empathy? Yeah, I mean, he, he talked
about his mother. That was such a warm hearted
(14:57):
person. And he said, he says in the film
that his mother was for him, thefirst guru of compassion, where
he learned what it really means to love, what it really means
to, to embrace all human beings.And the Dalai Lama really
believes in, in the force of, ofwomen in the sense because they
(15:22):
their empathy, their feeling of care for the world.
And he mentions that if more women would be leaders, world
leaders, he's really believes that the world would be much
more in peace. And a wonderful thing, which was
really so beautiful that he said, is that it could be that
(15:44):
the successor, his successor will be female.
And I mean, this is really wonderful to hear from.
Yeah. Such a such a yeah figure, such
a wonderful person. So I think it's really great to
hear that and see that, yeah, hereally believes that everyone
(16:06):
is, no matter if you're male or female or whatever gender you
have. And he seems like such a curious
person. He talks about his fascination
with science. Can you tell me what you learned
about that as well? Yeah, I mean, this is really
interesting also. He's not only, you know, talking
about emotion and the soul, but he really says that it's so
(16:31):
important to use our mind, our minds, and that science is one
of these elements in our life which we really should use and
which we should be interested inand which which we should listen
to also. And this combination of, let's
say, head and heart, which the Dalai Lama is offering to us,
(16:55):
and this, yeah, telling us that it's so important to combine it.
I think this is really, really special because it's not just
believing, but it's always questioning.
That's what he says is always important also in his daily
life, to question what Buddha said, to question what someone
in politics says, to question what everyone says and try to
(17:19):
find the truth. And I think this is really,
really, really interesting to see how he handled these
different aspects of life and how he tries to to help us to
navigate through it. And, and you put together all
these various ideas so well in the editing process and, and one
of the things that really bringsit to the next level, some of
(17:40):
the music in the film really quickly.
Can you just tell me about the music?
Oh yeah, We had this incredible chance to work with Ariel Marx,
who is a young composer from LA and she was pregnant when he
she. We addressed her through our
mover men and when she saw the film, she said, yes, I want to
(18:03):
work on it. And she gave birth and two weeks
later she she started to composethe music.
And I mean, I think it's really one of these elements which
helps so much to make it to a cinematic experience, to make it
to that we can really experiencethis knowledge and feel it
deeply in our hearts. Well, you're absolutely right,
(18:26):
and this is a cinematic experience.
People have to see this in theaters and and really take it
all in. When people go to see your
movie, what is the number one thing that you're hoping that
people will take away from this film?
I really hope that people are taking away hope, this feeling
of yeah, I mean, we can do something.
(18:48):
Everyone can do something for their self to find their inner
happiness, but also for the world, that the world can in a
way heal, that we can find refined dialogue and love and
care. And yeah, that this will spread.
I really hope that that this people can take with them when
(19:13):
they're have seen this movie to be more happy, more calm, more
positive also. And Barbara where?
Online can people learn more about your film Wisdom of
Happiness? It's Wisdom of happiness.com,
it's our website and there you can find, I mean there will be
(19:34):
the release now on the 16 all over the US and North America
and it will go on for the next month to be seen in different
cities. So yeah, please go on the
website and see where you can have a screening, see a
screening. And yeah, I'm so happy, yeah,
(19:54):
that I was able to talk to you. Thank you so much for having me.
And I really hope that we can reach as much hearts and minds
as possible also in the United States.
Thank you. Barbara.
Thank you so much, Tom.
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