TRIBUTES re. FILM
“We both think Luminous Journey is BEAUTIFULLY done and are learning so much about
‘Why Baha’i?’ from it! It definitely conveys ‘Abdul’Bahá’s Mastery
and Presence. I’m so proud to be a small part of this wonderful work
coming into form!” Carole Duncan
"With utmost joy, I received a copy
of Luminous Journey today and my
hands trembled with excitement as I loaded the disc in the DVD player. Oh! what
an indescribable experience to watch this long awaited movie about ‘Abdul Bahá's
travel to America. It was like I was travelling, too, with the Master and felt
the excitement on His arrival in every city and the sadness when He left. The
settings and costumes captured the spirit of the 1900s. The music and the
narrations are superb. Thank you to all those who made the film Luminous Journey possible!" Roland
Maddela
Dearest Anne & Tim,
My community wants you both to know
that we found the film to be exquisite. To a person, everyone was delighted
with all aspects—the script, the pacing, the graphics, the charm and
authenticity added by the period actors, the music, the production values, but
mostly the dignity of the presentation and its focus on the Master and His
words. When it was over, no one stirred—the credits were watched all the
way through. You are both brilliant. We feel so honored to have seen it so
early. Thank you. We are all excited about showing it at [the Minnesota] summer
school. Ann Jones Kazemzadeh
Dear Anne & Tim & colleagues,
You have done a truly MAGNIFICENT job on this
film. We especially appreciate that so many of the things we thought were
"hearsay" are verifiable facts. Thank you so much for your work on
this amazing film. It is so good that you put it together while some of
these buildings were still standing! With warmest Baha'i regards & love to
all who worked on this remarkable film! Mary (& Ken) Allen
“I treated myself to this lovely film
over the Labor Day weekend. I was transported to that time and experienced what
it might have been like to have met 'Abdu'l-Bahá. I experienced joy and tearful
emotions—what a heavenly ride! If you're reading this and you haven't seen Luminous Journey, you need to make that
change in your life!” Diana Rohrback
Dear Anne and Tim, In Luminous Journey,
you have woven 'Abdu'l-Bahá's
travels to the West into a brilliant cloth that shall startle and fill with awe
every heart that has the bounty of viewing it. With the highest of artistry and
cinematographic craft, you have captured faithfully the stupendous sweep of His
achievement. And you have truly raised the bar for all presentations of
the Faith to a level that, when matched by others, shall spread Baha's message
to tens, if not, millions of thirsty souls. The whole of the Baha'i world, the
Great Beings of our Faith, and the attending Concourse thank you, Robert Michell
“It is terrific. Well done.
Absolutely well done. A must for a collector and a wonderful tool for teaching.”
Annick Elziere
“We just watched the film
and are so moved. It is so beautifully done. I'm practically speechless. Everyone
should see the film, either buy it or convince your community to get it and put
it in their Lending Library. It will be watched again and again for many years
to come. Thank you so much, Anne and Tim for having the vision and the
fortitude to see it through to completion. Linda Dunlap Oliva
Dear Anne,
A few nights ago I was peaceful enough to begin
the movie and almost immediately began to weep with love for all that ‘Abdul-Baháis
and has done and still does for us. I felt so revived and at peace. That night
I slept better than I had in months. In the morning, as I stood at my balcony, ‘Abdul Bahá came to
mind and I thought how He was here last night, and instantly knew it was from
you glorious presentation of his spirit. (Movie is too small a
word.) The film is so rich, like eating Baklava or Greek
Pesto! I have to digest and savor the flavors. Something that I noticed
as I was watching: ‘Abdul Bahá has blessed so many professions—painting,
photography, filmmaking, journalism, and all of the sciences. Never before has
a religion blessed professions. . . . I also thought about how you and Tim have
integrated, panned, and enlarged the black and white photos and film clips with
the color dramatizations, bringing the narration of His Visit to life and
bringing the viewer into moments that have long passed in physical reality, yet
live in the heartfelt emotions and positive knowing of every Baha'i. With love so much love and admiration for all that
you have given to the world, Jalaliyyih Quinn
“If ever there was a Son
who loved His Father, and was true and faithful to the teachings of God, and
was kind and generous to all, and was a servant to all humanity, and was,
according to our beloved Guardian Shoghi Effendi, ‘endowed with super-human
knowledge,’ and was referred to by Bahá'u'lláh as "this sacred and
glorious being," it was Abdu'l-Baha, ‘the Glorious Servant.’ 100 years ago
in 1912 Abdu'l-Baha blessed this continent with His presence, called the world
to unity, and warned of the outbreak of war in Europe. This movie is a
delightful and moving attempt to recreate that special time when the
"Mystery of God" walked among us and gave us the means to spiritual
transformation, if only we wanted it." George Farideh Via
“Love and Blessings to you both and my admiration
for you dedication to your art. I am sure the film will inspire hearts around
the world for many years to come and encourage many to follow in the Master’s
footsteps.” Gordon Kerr
We bought Luminous Journey in Chicago last weekend
and watched it tonight. It is a fantastic production; we enjoyed it immensely
and learned so much about ‘Abdul-Bahá's trip to the United States and Europe.
It moved us and we could not stop watching it. Thank you so much for a fabulous
job." Bita Rahmanian
Dearest Anne and husband and all the
artists who worked on the project, Luminous
Journey,
Your work and service to the Cause by
producing this film is truly a significant contribution to the field of
education in America. I couldn't agree with you more that this effort is
the beginning of a new "chapter of American history destined to change the
consciousness of a nation." You work has far-reaching and wonderful
implications! As an educator, I envision this film and history, along
with other current and future develoments (such as Robert Stockman's book on
'Abdu'l-Bahá in America) embedded in a formal curriculum in schools from early
childhood to university. I see development of educational objectives, a
diversity of media creations, project ideas, service ideas, and, ultimately,
the transformation that it could and would have upon all those who study its
content in the spirit of independent investigation of truth. It is a
great service in His path!
May Baha'u'llah lead you from joy to
joy and confidence to confidence! Wishing you and this educational
project much success! Barbra Levine
Pakravan
“I saw the film screened at Green Acre on
August 12th during the Homecoming Week. It looked lovely in that huge
auditorium and the majestic sized screen. The sound (which is never good
for ears like mine) was just fine. The evening started out with a
jam-packed room - many friends came from the local communities, and they were
very demonstrative as they viewed. There were many smiles exchanged,
elbowing each other about this or that vignette, wonder at the beauty of the
production itself. . . . It is lush and generous to the audience, filling the
senses with what it could have been like to be in New York or Washington or
Chicago with ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. It is a very effective suspension of time and
place as the film transports you to the America of 1912 . . . an America
engaged with such a special Visitor, delivering such an important and powerful
message.
After 100 years we can clearly see that
Abdu'l-Baha was warning us about four eternal spiritual laws that should not be
ignored or broken. He was so forthright about the equality of women
and men, really challenging America to see this basic denial of human and civil
rights to half of the world's population. Newspaper editors were shocked
at the plain words He used about women and the right to vote, and the role of
women in bringing about world peace. We ignore this law at our own peril,
and we have done that for much too long.
He was also so dramatic in his advocacy for the
rights of African Americans, so long in slavery, so long on the tragic road of
violence, so long in physical and psychological chains, so long reviled and so
long the victims of a modern cruelty that still continues, even if the forms
today are more subtle and polite. He spoke emphatically and without
any fear of being contradicted or attacked. The film depicts His bravery at
expressing love across the color line beautifully.
His warnings about imminent war, and more wars
that would follow in a world that remains divided in every possible way, in
every sphere of human interaction, where nationalism and materialism have taken
over hearts and souls, and led to a century of human carnage unparalleled
in recorded history. He told us the antidote was authentic trust and
authentic love at every level of life, and the world chose to ignore
that. And we still ignore it.
And finally, His bold and plaintive cry for the
value of religion, raised in so many churches, synagogues and places of worship
across all separations of color, creed and custom was vivid in the film.
The idea that religion would be a cause for unity was so innovative in our
religious tapestry that was so torn and tattered, especially in America, where
every individual feels that they can pick and choose what is best for them and
then call it a religion . . . and separate their communities from
others. Some of the clergy understood, most did not. His energetic
inter-religious dialogue and fellowship was remarkable, but His warnings fell
on so many deaf ears.
The film is a chronicle of warnings, so
perfectly delivered, and so universally ignored. And we have 100 years of
history to prove His message true and His warnings valid. The film also
shows, in exquisite detail, the souls who heard the message and who changed
their lives, their orientation, their very purpose in life to carry out the
wise and healing teachings proclaimed all over America in 1912.
Everyone at Green Acre was impressed with the
attention to detail, the costumes, the cars, the trains, the hotels, the music,
the very essence of that 1912 ambiance recreated so that we might become
one of those noble souls who were changed by the message and the presence of
the wondrous Visitor.
At the end of the Green Acre section of the
film there was a break for refreshments . . . an intermission. The conversations
in the café were alive and vibrant . . . no one had ever seen such a production
before. This was a film worthy of the subject matter it conveyed, and the
friends were seized with the idea that they were seeing something new. It was
an experience of production excellence, a quality script, and a depth of
reverence in a presentation that had not been seen before.” Bob Harris
