Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - July 13, 2004
Alongkorn Parivudhiphongs
One of the highlights of the International Aids Conference, the week-long festival highlights the efforts and spirit of people living and working with HIV and raises awareness and understanding of the disease through 65 films, documentaries and animation from 35 countries.
"Films [about HIV/Aids] are transformative. It really changes the way people think about the disease. It's powerful," Mr Gere said.
Despite his tight schedule, the Buddhist actor spent some time with children from Mercy Centre, a Bangkok-based home for Thai orphans suffering from HIV/Aids.
"This has been going on way too long and we've just started to take it seriously," the actor complained.
"We've been too slow and too ignorant of the problem.
"I've also been thinking of the 300 billion dollars-plus that we have wasted on the insane war in Iraq," he said, to loud applause from the audience.
He added that this disease is not a conceptual problem, but dealt with real people, increasing death tolls and loss of humanity.
For him, Aids was a manifestation of human ignorance of interconnectivity, which was still reflected in the lack of generosity and sensitivity towards global issues.
"And the deepest sense of this tragedy is that it has really taught me how interconnected we are, there is no separation. We are brothers and sisters. And we are going to kill this thing off. From our hearts, not with money or materials," he said.
Senator Mechai Viravaidya praised the actor, calling him "Lord Richard Gere of Thailand" and wished the actor would win the US presidency in the future. "I don't want it. And I won't accept it," Mr Gere replied.
An official selection, Robert Bilheimer's A Closer Walk, explores the underlying causes and an inspiration in the courage and humanity of those living with the ailment.
The festival is taking place at three different venues: Lido Theatre, the Goethe Institute and Impact Arena.
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