ROCKFORD (WREX/PRESS RELEASE) - A Rockford couple will appear in an upcoming movie about Dr. Jane Goodall, starring Angelina Jolie and Pierce Brosnan.
Gary Haun and Renee Reynolds will appear in the film, Jane's Journey, which is about Gary's good friend, Dr. Jane Goodall.
Jane Goodall is best known for her research of the chimpanzees in Africa. She travels over 300 days out of the year to lecture on animal preservation and conservation as well as other environmental issues. Dr. Goodall wrote the Introduction for Gary's first book, Vision From the Heart, which includes chapters detailing his climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and his dive with the Great White sharks in South Africa.
Gary met Jane several years ago and they became good friends. Dr. Goodall mentions her relationship with Gary during most of her lectures around the world. She also refers to Gary as one of her Reasons for Hope in the book of the same name.
In 1995, Gary brought Dr. Goodall to Rockford to speak at the Rockford Women's Center and Rockford College. At the time Gary gave "Dr. Jane" a stuffed animal for her birthday. She named the animal Mr. H and it has traveled with her on her many trips around the world. Mr. H has been touched by over three million people and many of the world's leaders.
As the Amazing Haundini, Gary has performed magic at the Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots summits. Roots and Shoots is a program of the Jane Goodall Institute that gets children involved with projects that help other people, animals and the planet.
Although blind for over thirty five years, Gary has performed magic throughout the world. In 2000, Gary appeared on the Rosie O'Donnell Show. It is interesting that Rosie appeared in the film A League of Their Own, which was about the Rockford Peaches. Gary gave Rosie a Rockford Peaches t-shirt that was signed by some of the original Peaches.
In April 2009 a film crew came to Rockford from Munich, Germany to film Gary's part in the film. His part was filmed at Rock Valley College with the assistance of Mike Webb, Director of Theatre at RVC. Angelina Jolie and Pierce Brosnan will also appear in the film. While Angelina's husband, Brad Pitt, does not appear in the film, Gary said he would like to thank Brad for all his charitable contributions that have helped so many people.
The film premiered in Germany in September and is getting rave reviews.
The film will make its North American premiere at the Hampton Film Festival. Gary and Renee will be guests of Dr. Jane Goodall's and Gary's other good friend, Lorenz Knauer of Munich, Germany who directed the film.
Gary and Renee are both graduates of Auburn High School and say that they are glad that Rockford is part of this full length theatrical documentary film. The film is also scheduled to appear on the Animal Planet Channel in the fall.
