Globetrotting filmmaker to screen his documentary about the Dalai Lama

It was a desire to avoid writing term papers and school reports that sent filmmaker Rick Ray reaching for his first camera.

"Our school district got a Super-8 movie camera," said Ray, who has always felt an affinity for self-expression through visual media. "I've been making films since I was in fifth grade."

After years of youthful experimentation, he got more serious about his interest in film and enrolled in film school at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Then, it was out into the "real world."

"I sort of took to the road when I was 25 with a backpack and a camera," he said.

His travels took him all over the world -- to Iceland, Africa, the Middle East and Asia -- where he documented diverse cultures and peoples, serving as writer, cinematographer, editor and director.

His films include "Jerusalem: Sacred and Profane," "Lost Worlds of the Middle East," "Morocco" and "The Soul of India."

He particularly was enthralled with his experiences in India.

"I suppose that India is the ultimate destination for travelers. Anyone who goes to India has that assault on the senses and on who they are. It's kind of like the graduate school of travel," he said.

During a 2001 trip to India, Ray had the opportunity to meet and interview the Dalai Lama.

The result of that meeting, a film titled "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama," will be screened Friday night at the Copley Theatre in Aurora.

Ray will be on hand to participate in a question-and-answer session following the movie.

He said he expects recent reports of protests in Tibet will prompt new questions.

"I expect there to be a different climate," he said. "I welcome opposing points of view."

Ray said one question he posed to the Dalai Lama back in 2001 has to do with how people react to and deal with religious intolerance. He also asked the spiritual leader about his views on wealth and poverty.

Ray said his own views have changed as a result of his treks across the globe. He's consistently noticed something surprising during his travels.

"The poorer the country I went to, the more smiles I saw on people's faces," he said. "Is it that money doesn't really make us happy?"

If you go

What: Screening of "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama"

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora

Tickets: $20

Info: (630) 896-6666 or theparamounttheatre.com and rickrayfilms.com