DOCUMENTARY – World Television Premiere Rumi: Turning Ecstatic Wednesday, Jan. 18, 10 p.m. ET, 60 mins. Repeats Thursday, Jan. 19, 11 p.m. ET For immediate release Nov. 29, 2005

A “Shakespeare of mystics”

In Rumi: Turning Ecstatic, Tina Petrova reveals why the words of a 13th century Sufi poet still resonate today

For Tina Petrova, it all started when she drove off a cliff.

A terrifying car crash in the California desert was the beginning of a journey that would lead her to the writings of 13th century Sufi mystic Mevlana Jelalludin Rumi, and to an extraordinary array of people whose lives have been transformed by his poetry and philosophy.

The hour-long film Rumi: Turning Ecstatic is her story: a docudrama that propels the viewer into the very heart of Sufi mysticism.

On Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. ET, VisionTV presents the world television premiere of Rumi: Turning Ecstatic. The broadcast repeats on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 11 p.m. ET.

Born in 1207, Rumi has been called a “Shakespeare of mystics.” His works of ecstatic love poetry are among the enduring treasures of Middle Eastern literature, and in recent years have been embraced by growing numbers of North Americans – among them such luminaries as Madonna, Demi Moore and Deepak Chopra.

A year after the car accident, Tina still suffered from her injuries. Feeling “broken and humbled,” she performed a Novena to the Virgin Mary in hope of guidance. Her plea was answered that night by a vision of a robed figure she recognized as Rumi. Inspired, she organized a celebration of his life and work that same year. It would prove the beginning of a remarkable journey.

Rumi: Turning Ecstatic follows Tina as she embarks on the pilgrimage of her life, seeking out other members of the global community “dedicated to following Rumi’s path in word and action.” The film features appearances by Coleman Barks, renowned translator of Rumi’s works; Shaikh Kabir Helminski, Western representative of Rumi’s Mevlevi spiritual order; author and activist Andrew Harvey; and UN award-winning architect Nader Khalili, whose innovative designs are inspired by Rumi.

Why does Rumi’s voice continue to echo after 700 years? Andrew Harvey tells Tina that his work “fearlessly embraces all paths and all ways to God, and celebrates the unity in diversity” – a message of profound significance in this age of spiritual division.

Says Kabir Helminski: “It’s literature inspired with a truth that goes right to the human heart.”

Rumi: Turning Ecstatic was written and directed by Stephen Roloff and Tina Petrova. The film was produced by Visionary Media Inc. in association with Radiant Media Inc. and VisionTV. Alberta Nokes was the Executive Producer for VisionTV.

Visionary Media and Radiant Media have launched the first World Rumi Day (Dec. 17) to celebrate the poet’s life and legacy, and are inviting community groups everywhere to host benefit screenings of Rumi: Turning Ecstatic. For more information, please visit www.rumi-turningecstatic.com.

Tina Petrova, Stephen Roloff and Kabir Helminski are available for media interviews.

Media Contact:

David Todd, VisionTV Marketing & Communications
Phone: 416-368-3194, ext. 207

Email: dtodd@visiontv.ca

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