Returning to the Far East after his foray into the love life of fashion icon Coco Chanel, Jan Kounen will head to Tibet to shoot The Secret Histories Of The Dalai Lama.

The docu-fiction film, which will begin shooting in June, is a throwback to the work Kounen has previously done focusing on peace and compassion. He will direct the $5.5m (€4m) project with with Anne Paris.

Secret Histories, which will use 3D technology. tells the story of the Dalai Lamas from the 14th century to today including the biggest moments in Tibet’s history.

Germany’s Integral Films is co-producing and Manuel de la Roche is executive producing via his Paris-based Movie Sphere. Jean-Claude Carriere is writing the script based on an original idea by Pema Dhon Dup.

The current Dalai Lama will participate in the fresco which will also include the first time the Dalai’s oracle allows footage to be shot of an actual trance.