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Richard Gere hits the streets of Galt for new movie

Hollywood star Richard Gere takes on Cambridge while shooting his new film Longing

Cambridge has seen a slew of famous actors and productions grace the historic streets of Hespeler, downtown Galt and Preston.

Today, on a cold, rainy fall day, actor Richard Gere was filming for his new movie Longing on the Main Street Bridge and at the Grand Cafe in downtown Galt. 

The Internet Movie Data Base describes the film as an English adaptation of Israeli film "Ga'agua" from writer director Savi Gabizon. The film follows Gere as he discovers he has a long lost son with an old ex-girlfriend in Canada. He learns his son has passed away and tries to learn about his life through those closest to him. 

"As he explores his dead son's life and gets to know him vicariously through those closest to him, Daniel is forced to evaluate the life choices that have led him to this crossroad," reads the IMDB summary.

During filming, a crowd anxiously awaited to get a glimpse of the Hollywood actor. 

"I'm hoping he comes over here and gives me an autograph," said Karen Main, one of the many people lined up to see Gere.

Main has been watching Gere for decades admiring him for his performance in the blockbuster Pretty Woman and more recently, in the 2009 flick Hatchi: A Dog's Tale.

Another couple who was braving the cold and the rain was Tom Howatt and his wife. They read about Gere coming to town and decided to pop by and see him in action .

"We like seeing these places in movies and shows," said Howatt. "Whenever we see big trailers we pull over, because we know something's being filmed there." 

Howatt thinks films like these coming to Cambridge shows just how valuable the city's heritage and history is, but he's always surprised that big productions like these pick Cambridge to be their backdrop. 

Shooting is only scheduled for Oct. 26 with traffic in the Main Street Bridge area being affected. 

 


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Joe McGinty

About the Author: Joe McGinty

Joe McGinty is a multimedia journalist who covers local news in the Cambridge area. He is a graduate of Conestoga College and began his career as a freelance journalist at CambridgeToday before joining full time.
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