Finding joy can be a challenge but is critical to a rich and full life according to the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Our personal pursuit of joy can be complicated, layered and difficult. The thoughtful and uplifting documentary Mission: Joy wants to understand how to face this multi-layered challenge by exploring the unique friendship between Desmund Tutu and the Dalai Lama. The two holy men gathered in Dharamsala for several days of conversation and the film, directed by Oscar-winner Louie Psihoyos, consists of never-before-seen footage paired with beautiful animations. These two world religious leaders from vastly different backgrounds found hope, laughter and mutual companionship, offering lessons on how we can spread joy throughout our own lives. Co-directors Peggy Callahan and Louie Psihoyos join Sonja Lyubomirsky who studies happiness and is the author of The How of Happiness in conversation post-screening.
Film: Mission: Joy
Speakers: Peggy Callahan, Louie Psihoyos, Sonja Lyubomirsky
In-Person •Thursday, Sept 30 | 7:15 - 9:40pm | Sheridan Opera House
Community Encore •6 - 7:30pm | Sheridan Opera House
Virtual •Oct 1 - 15
Mission: Joy
Mission: Joy is a film that shares the humor and wisdom of two of the world’s most beloved icons, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
These two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates have united for one final mission: to show the world how to live with joy, even in troubled times. And they know what they are talking about. They have both lived through extreme hardship, and continued to live with joy despite their circumstances.
Louie Psihoyos (he/him)
Louie Psihoyos photographs and films are urgent and beautiful, gripping and existential. Most of all, his work brings significant change, especially with endangered species and plant-based diets. He is ambitious as hell, likely the only filmmaker out there who would embark on a massive effort to project images of extinct species onto the United Nations, then on the Empire State Building and the Vatican.
Louie most recently directed Mission: Joy, a film that explores the unlikely friendship of His Holiness the Dalai Lama & Archbishop Tutu and how to live in a world with more joy. Louie Psihoyos will speak at the show Joy Is An Inside Job.
Peggy Callahan (she/her)
Peggy Callahan is a reporter, producer, director and storyteller whose activism work centers around stories about poverty, the foster care system, the death penalty, farmers, racism and slavery. Peggy is the co-director and producer of Mission: Joy and co-founded Voices4Freedom, an international anti-slavery organization. She will speak at the show Joy Is An Inside Job.