"The epitaph on Rumi's grave reads, "When we are dead, seek not our tomb in the earth, but find it in the hearts of men." Rumi's spirit indeed sings and soars in "Rumi Returning," the exquisitely beautiful documentary that Cynthia Lukas and Kell Kearns have made for the 800th anniversary of Rumi's birth. That transcendent music and poetry are more needed than ever in our violence-drenched world."

"I am particularly pleased with the film because it not only portrays the wonderful inclusive spirituality of Rumi, but it also includes enough history and geography to be invaluable for my "Spirituality in the Arts" class."

"Rumi Returning  is a remarkable collage of music, visual artistry, and informative dialogue.  It situates Rumi in his Afghan-Persian-Turkish milieu, giving the viewer a clear geographical, historical, and religious sense of Rumi in the thirteenth century. The film incorporates actual footage from Rumi's tomb in Konya, Turkey, and records the "whirling dervishes" in action. Throughout there is a creative use of Persian miniatures and a nuanced contextualization of sufism and Islam. Of all the films made about Rumi to date this is the only one I would show to my university students without any reservations."      Art Buehler      Senior Lecturer, Religious Studies      Victoria University Wellington, New Zealand

"It was a great and exciting honor to have been at your premiere in Monterrey, MEX. and how very appropriate it was, that "Rumi Returning" was unveiled at an event of CULTURES and of RELIGIONS…  Rumi's wisdom and love and sheer "uncluttered" message of peace for all, regardless of cultural and religious barriers, was beautifully presented in your film.  His message of hope was richly depicted, not only in the film's content and visuals, but also in its moving music and its "texture." It was a wonderful feast, on many levels. I loved it!"
      Diana Vasquez
      Universal Forum of Cultures
      Monterrey, Mexico 

"Cynthia Lukas and Kell Kearns premiered their film 'Rumi Returning’  at the Council for the Parliament of  World’s Religions, based on  the thirteenth century Sufi  Saint – Rumi. Through the film they  emphasized, that the  push for  Peace  is not new today, and that at intervals, there have been messengers of Peace like Rumi, who have been instrumental  in reviving and reinterpreting the message of Peace."       Mrs. Raksha J. Shah       Mumbai University       Mumbai, India "It ("Rumi Returning") seems to say it all."      John Alden Williams      Professor (Emeritus)      The College of William & Mary "Fascinating film. . .A joyful celebration."      Katherine Marshall,      Senior Fellow, Berkley Center      Georgetown University      and Director      World Faiths Development Dialogue

"The creators of this movie have done what Rumi did - using art to create a gentle, touching, and at the same time extraordinarily powerful reminder of the truth that the pure essence of all religions is One."
     Lucie Hajkova
     Brahma Kumaris University,
     Plzen, Czech Republic