The Canadian Premiere of "RUMI RETURNING" was on November 18, 2007, at the Palais de Congress in Montreal.  We had been invited for a special screening known as a "Cineforum" by the Middle East Studies Association (MESA), which was holding its 41st Annual Conference.  There were more than 2,000 educators from Middle East Studies programs around the world converging in Montreal to hear their President speak of the important leadership role that Middle East Studies professors and publishers can play in today's world that is in much need of education about the Middle East.  While in Montreal, Cynthia spoke with a number of people, including her cab driver, who believe their city and the country of Canada are superior examples of globalized, pluralistic states where Muslims and other religious minorities are treated with fairness and respect. 

"RUMI RETURNING" drew a capacity crowd of those drawn to Rumi's message of tolerance and peace.  Afterward, Cynthia received compliments about the stunning photography in the film and heard suggestions, such as "Have you ever thought about having a screening for Congress?  Every Senator and Congress member should see this film!"  Many professors asked to know when it would be available for their college classrooms and regional association gatherings.  One professor stated, "This is the film about Rumi I've been waiting for!  It's so good for students because it places him in historical and geographical context."  Another professor exclaimed, "As far as Rumi goes, this film says it all!"

One professor wanted to know about the name of Kell and Cynthia's film company, Heaven on Earth Creations.  Cynthia told them that name came from a quotation from the Gospel of Thomas when Jesus says, "when you make the two into one, you will enter the Kingdom (of Heaven)."  But the name is equally relevant to other great spiritual teachers, such as Rumi, who have said the same thing.  At the end of "RUMI RETURNING," Kell reads that famous poem of Rumi's where he says that he is neither Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Zoroaster, or Jew, "for I belong to the soul of the Beloved."  The culmination of those exquisite lines--and our film--goes like this:

“I have put duality away,
I have seen that the two worlds are one;
one I seek, one I know.
one I see, one I call.
he is the first, he is the last,
he is the outward, he is the inward;
I am intoxicated with love’s cup,
the two worlds have passed out of my ken;
I will trample on both worlds,
I will dance in triumph forever.”

Through our Heaven on Earth Creations, such as “RUMI RETURNING,” Cynthia and Kell are committed to showing these two worlds as One, pregnant with the Oneness of humanity.