"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."

"An awesome film."

"Rumi Returning is a wonderful documentary about Mawlana Jalal al-Din al-Rumi's life, focusing on the historical events and places which provided the context for his example and his writings, rahmat allah allayhi."

"An uplifting documentary…"

"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

"I was at a photography lecture a couple of months ago when I first came across Rumi. The photographer had a quote by Rumi on the screen and it was the first time I had ever heard of him. His words resonated to such a degree that I forgot about the photographer I had come to see and could only think of Rumi. When I got home I "Googled" him to find the quotes and was intrigued by this man I had never heard of. I then came across your show "Rumi Returning" while surfing the TV to see what was on (the Internet and TV aren't all that bad). I cannot possibly tell you how much I enjoyed your exploration into Rumi and Sufism. I found that it has helped me understand what I have been searching for these past years, well, my whole life, but was simply not aware of it.

"I love how life presents you with clues and I am truly grateful to have been conscious enough on that day and at that moment to have found Rumi. I was present in that moment and was given an amazing gift.

"Thank you again for your insightful and spiritually enlightening show."
     Regards, Jennifer Feller
     Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

"Rumi Returning" is much more than a documentary--it is an absorbing experience of mini-pilgrimage into the mystical tradition immortalized by Rumi who inspired the birth of the whirling dervishes. Cynthia's giftedness is multifaceted; her contribution to our "Let's Talk About It: Love and Forgiveness" community discussions at the Three Rivers (Michigan) Public Library was both insightful and gracious!"

     Anthony G. Franchina
     Local Project Scholar
     "Let's Talk About It: Love and Forgiveness" series
     co-sponsored by the Fetzer Institute and the American Library Association

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