FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BEINGS

Documentary Announcement

Here is the initial documentary announcement sent out by filmmmaker Christina Lundberg, on this exciting new movie project celebrating the life and teachings of His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche.

In addition to reading the Welcome Letter, Financial Appeal, and Filmmaker Biography here on the site, we've provided a full pdf. file for your convenience. Please feel free to download this file and share it with your sanghas, meditation centers, and friends.

Download Garchen_Rinpoche_film_project.pdf

We will be adding new information packets, including Press Kits, as they become available. Be sure to sign our mailing list for updates. (Scroll down a bit and you'll find the sign-up form on the left side of the page.)

Filmmaker, Christina Lundberg, with Rinpoche in 1997, when he first arrived in the US

Documentary Announcement - Welcome Letter

FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BEINGS The Extraordinary Life and Teachings of His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche

Dear All,

I write to you with exciting news. His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche has asked me to make a documentary movie about his life story and has said if this movie is made there will be great benefit for sentient beings. I am honored to share this news and invite you to help with this rare opportunity, which has� the potential to inspire so many people.

Garchen Rinpoche initially asked me to just compile some old footage into a movie. Since filmmaking is my profession I asked if I could instead make a professional movie with new and old footage combined. Rinpoche agreed, saying the more comprehensive the film the more benefit. Rinpoche has assigned his attendants, Lama Abao and Lama Bu Nima, to assist in the project, along with Meghan Howard as the English translator. I am following Rinpoche’s directives carefully to ensure his wishes are fulfilled.

FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BEINGS will document Rinpoche’s vast activities and teachings around the world this year-- in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Ukraine, Taiwan, Malaysia, India, Nepal and Tibet. Garchen Rinpoche will be interviewed on his life story, which will be at the center of the movie. Additional interviews with His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche and many other high lamas in the Drikung Kagyu lineage will reveal more about Garchen Rinpoche’s life. Interviews with his family members, attendants and students around the world will emphasize the depth of his blessings. Rare footage and old photographs from Rinpoche’s past will also be collected and used to bring alive the rich history of this life, as well as previous lives, giving a perspective of His extraordinary line of incarnations. The movie will also educate about the Drikung Kagyu tradition, giving the world a chance to learn about this profound practice lineage. This film is more than a story. With unprecedented access, it is an opportunity to be intimately face to face with one of the most radiant masters of our time.�

I have been a student of Garchen Rinpoche’s for 11 years and have been making professional movies on Buddhism for 16 years in the non-profit sector. Initially, all of us involved with the film are willing to work for greatly reduced salaries, since it’s of critical importance that the filming be completed now while Rinpoche’s health allows. The full salaries of crew and editors will not be paid until after the film becomes profitable. All additional profits will then be given to Garchen Rinpoche to be used for His many altruistic projects.

This digital high definition movie will made in three languages--English, Tibetan, and Chinese and will be eligible for film festivals, theatrical release, worldwide broadcast television, educational venues and home dvd sales. I estimate the filming will be complete by summer 2008 and the editing finished by 2009.

The first critical phase of filming and editing will require $275,000. For the sake of comparison, the film Yogis of Tibet cost $500,000 to make just in the English language. FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BEINGS is being made in English, Tibetan, and Chinese languages and will take 3 years complete.� Consequently the finishing costs for the documentary will require additional funding.�

The full vision of the film project is to have 2 major works.� First a documentary and second a set of dvds containing Garchen Rinpoche teaching on a vast range of subjects around the world. These archival dvds will include an estimated� 25 hours of teachings, offered in the same 3 languages.� This larger vision will require further funding beyond the costs of making the documentary. The importance of properly archiving the sublime dharma teachings cannot be overstated as it is so rare to have a master such as Garchen Rinpoche in our midst, passing on the profound teachings from� this ancient lineage.� Currently no such organized archive of Rinpoche’s teachings exists on professional video, so this project will fulfill a great need. Please email us if you are interested in helping to actualize the full vision of this endeavor.

Donations have already started to come in and I've begun work on the movie, secure in the belief that your enthusiasm will match mine so that the necessary funds will materialize soon. Time is truly of the essence. This is an amazing opportunity that Garchen Rinpoche has given� all of us. We can play an important role in ensuring that his heart essence of limitless love and profound wisdom is captured in both a documentary portrait and archival teaching dvds that will inspire generations to come.

Every penny will help, whether the amount is large or small. Please join us in swiftly manifesting His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche’s heartfelt wishes with the making of FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BEINGS.

Yours in the Dharma,
Christina Lundberg

Documentary Announcement -- Financial Appeal

YOUR SUPPORT IS VITAL:

In honoring Garchen Rinpoche’s wishes I have formed a new company, Garuda Sky Productions, to make the movie.

The filming has started but cannot continue without your support!

Your financial donation made today is what will truly bring this movie to completion. All U.S. Contributions are tax deductible.

Please make checks payable to: Drikung Mahayana Center (write For The Benefit of All Beings in the memo line)

and send to:

Christina Lundberg
GARUDA SKY PRODUCTIONS
PO Box 20096
Boulder, CO 80308 USA

For non US currencies, the best option is to make a donation on the website with a credit card using PayPal. Otherwise, please obtain a money order from your bank in US$ to send by mail or if you prefer to wire the money, please contact us by email for our bank information.

We are also seeking and inviting the following assistance:

1. Specialized volunteer services such as: transcribing Rinpoche’s teachings, web design, graphic design, motion graphics, marketing and fund-raising expertise.

2. Copies of high-quality photos of Garchen Rinpoche for the film and website.

3. High quality video footage of Garchen Rinpoche to incorporate into the film.

4. Your personal stories about Garchen Rinpoche for publication on our site and possibly for on-camera interview for the movie.

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.ForTheBenefitOfAllBeings.com for more details and including project updates.

WE WELCOME your emails with your questions, comments, and offers of assistance at:
info (at) ForTheBenefitOfAllBeings (dot) com
This email address has been altered to protect us from spam. Please replace the (at) with @ and the (dot) with . Thank you.

Documentary Announcement -- Filmmaker Biography

CHRISTINA LUNDBERG Movie Bio

2002-2007
Directed, Produced, Filmed, Wrote and Edited:
MYSTIC TIBET An Outer, Inner and Secret Pilgrimage
A story of a pilgrimage through Tibet guided by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
A documentary feature - World Premieres in 2007.
go to www.fpmt.org for schedule.
preview web movie at: www.fpmt.org/streaming/

“This film is a visual and spiritual treat for the eye, the mind, and the heart…..the result is a stunning new documentary.” Mandala – A Tibetan Buddhist Journal

2002-2003
Directed, Produced, Filmed and Wrote:
DISCOVERING BUDDHISM
A 13 part series on Tibetan Buddhism hosted by Richard Gere and Keanu Reeves. Features His Holiness the Dalai Lama, other respected teachers and students in this unprecedented series that gives an overview of the path.

The series has been broadcast on national television in: Korea, Russia, and Israel to hundreds of thousands of viewers. It is scheduled to be broadcast in Canada and has sold more than a thousand copies.
preview web movie at: www.fpmt.org/streaming/

2000-2002
Directed, Produced, Filmed and Wrote:
Preserving Mongolian Culture: BUDDHISM
A 26 part television series on Buddhism for Mongolian National Television.
Hosted by Pierce Brosnan, Richard Gere and Keanu Reeves.
Features His Holiness the Dalai Lama, other respected teachers and students giving an overview of the path and Mongolian history.

This series has run for 3 years on national television to over 1.5 million viewers.
preview web movie at : www.fpmt.org/streaming/

2000-2006
Directed, Produced, Filmed and Wrote:
MAITREYA PROJECT, a video on the world’s largest statue, to be built in India. A symbol of loving kindness for humanity, the next wonder of the world.
Maitreya Project Heart Shrine Relic Tour, a video of the relics that are touring and blessing the world.

These videos are made in 9 different languages and have been seen by hundreds of thousands of people. preview web movies at: www.maitreyaproject.org

1993-1998
Directed, Produced, Filmed and Wrote
ON THE ROAD HOME A Spiritual Journey Guided by Remarkable Women
For sale at: www.snowlionpub.com or contact us to purchase.
Awards include:
** Best Documentary Feature – 1999 Houston International Worldfest.
** Documentary Vision Award and Women's Eye Award,
River Run International Festival 2000

Other Festivals ON THE ROAD HOME has played in:
* Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival 2005
* International Buddhist Film Festival 2005
* Women’s Film Festival in Vermont 2004
* Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2000
* Hopes and Dreams Film Festival 2000
* Myhelan Film Festival 1999
* IFFM 1999

REVIEWS
“What began as a personal journey has been carefully translated into a beautiful documentary film that flows as unencumbered as a soft, constant wind, seemingly guided by grace and providence”
- Linda Helm Krapf, Director of Myhelan Film Festival

“A wonderful film, and a chance to receive teachings from some amazing women. I rated it 10 out of 10....A must see.” - Dr. Joel Samuel

“This is an absolutely first-rate film about the spiritual journey, and I highly recommend it – a modern day "Siddhartha” - Jan Bear- Buddhist practitioner

“The film is a spiritual experience, hauntingly beautiful and inspiring.”
-Cherie Frankel- Psychologist

1991-1992
Production Assistant
COMPASSION IN EXILE-
The Story of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Award winning feature documentary

1990
Filmed
Mind and Life Institute Conference
His Holiness Dalai Lama and esteemed western scientists discuss nature of mind. Dharamsala, India with the Samaya Foundation

1990 - Graduate of New York University Intensive Filmmaking Program

1989 - B.A., University of Vermont