Finally, some movie news that doesn’t involve an end-of-the-world scenario.

Back in July, Jude Law accompanied filmmaker Jeremy Gilley to Afghanistan as part of a documentary called The Day After Peace. Law’s deep involvement with the film came about almost on a whim after shooting a promotional segment for the idea. After the take, Gilley said he was traveling to Afghanistan. Law said he wasn’t busy and asked to come along. The director was shocked, but graciously accepted his offer. According to the Guardian, the bond between the two became tight through everything they witnessed. From the article,

“The actor said he had got involved because it was a simple, powerful message and because it was also about film. ‘I make films and he uses film to spread this message.’ He said he wanted to go to Afghanistan to ‘feel, smell and see’ for himself what was happening there.

‘Feeling first-hand the presence of the frontline, being able to feel the hope of the people,’ he said. ‘There’s a very cynical, violent image of Afghanistan and of course there is the frontline there, but there’s a massive amount of reconstruction and hope.’”

Gilley’s efforts over the years have made an enormous impact. In 2001, the UN adopted his idea for World Peace Day — which happens every September 21st. So far, it has led to 1.4 million children in Afghanistan being vaccinated against polio. As Law said of the day, “You apologise to someone you’ve upset, you say thank you to someone or you get a group of people together and you recognise peace. It’s like turning it into a birthday, or turning it into a party of sorts.”

The pair hope to return to Afghanistan soon to screen the film. Angelina Jolie, Annie Lennox, the Dalai Lama, Kofi Annan, and others also make an appearance. For more, visit the official site.

Categories: People
Tags: angelina jolie, annie lennox, jeremy gilley, jude law.

About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.

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