Culture
All there for Richard Gere
Richard Gere brought “madness” to the ZFF green carpet last night before receiving a well deserved Golden Icon Award for his 40 years life acting career.
Nadja Schildknecht, a co-director of the ZFF, was right, it was the evening not to miss if you were in the Zurich area. Will it be the highlight of the festival as she thinks? For that, it is still too soon to tell. The Zurich Film Festival will end on September 30th with the screening of François Ozon’s latest film “Dans la Maison”.
Richard Gere with fans at the ZFF before award ceremony – copyright ZFF
Not only did the festival have the most journalists and photographers ever on the green carpet, but it is the first time that so many fans had come to meet their idol. People on all side of the street around the Corso patiently waited to get a glimpse of Richard Gere. Some were luckier than others and received an autograph, shook his hand or talked to him. Screams could be heard from all directions. Others got to watch the award ceremony and his latest film “Arbitrage”.
People of all ages were there to welcome him to Zurich, a place he cherishes. Even Tibetans had come with their flags to thank the one, who had done so much for them. There 4000 Tibetan refugees who live in Switzerland. Richard took time, waving at his fans and pausing for the cameras with his beautiful wife and actress, Carey Lowell.
With no doubt no-one in the audience would have given away his seat to admire the man with whom in 1990 so many women fell in love with after watching the romantic comedy “Pretty Woman”. Even Nadja Schildknecht admitted having watched it 15 to 20 times!
Nadja Schildknecht and Karl Spoerri on the green carpet
Along the years Richard played with so many good and respected actors and actresses such as Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, Judie Foster, Edward Norton, Andy Garcia, Bruice Willis and of course his partner in his last film, Susan Sarandon. He was featured in American Gigolo (1980), Sommersby (1993), the Jackal (1997), Unfaithful (2002), Primal Fear (1996), Chicago (2002) and many others.
Susan Sarandon during her speech at Golden Icon ceremony
Who does not remember the line of Judie foster to Jack in Sommersby “I never loved him as much as I love you”. Do people still love Richard? Is Richard as charming as he used to be and still the sexiest man alive as judged by People Magazine in 1999? According to Susan Sarandon, yes he is still sexy, despite getting older!
The American actress, who came to Zurich with director Nicholas Jarecki to present their newest film “Arbitrage” delivered a moving speech about Richard’s career and life fighting for human rights and the Tibetan cause. She has known him for ages she said well before he was a star and “we are still talking to each other”. When one sees the two together, one feels so much friendship, caring, complicity and instant connection.
Susan Sarandon and Richard Gere at the Press conference on Sept 23
Director Nicholas Jarecki with producer of the film, Justin Nappi, also came to the stage to talk about “Arbitrage” and how the project came to life. For both producer and director it is their first film. Jarecki was very pleased that his film was shown during the Golden Icon Award, to honour such a talented man like Richard Gere.
Nicholas Jarecki, director of Arbitrage with girl friend
Richard came to the stage after a long retrospective of his career and bented down many times while putting his hands together. He thanked dearly Nadja and Karl Spoerri who had invited him and awarded him with the highest award an actor could get at the festival. Last year it was delivered to Sean Penn. At the press conference in the afternoon, he said this prize was for him a proof of “affection, generosity and welcome”.
Richard Gere and Golden Icon Award at ZFF copyright ZFF
Richard Gere didn’t want to leave, too touched by this memorable moment. No doubt he will be back at the festival, in Zurich and in Switzerland after such proof of attention.
