Baba's Birthday
52 minutes, $25

This beautifully edited film introduces Avatar Meher Baba through the engaging story of a young Australian Baba lover, Luke Sumner, who goes on pilgrimage to Meherabad, where he has been chosen to play the leading role in the annual musical play for Baba's birthday celebration.

A wide variety of scenes impart the flavor of life with Baba. Alan Wagner stresses Baba's love of the arts, explaining that an artist who is absorbed in his or her work can attain the self-forgetfulness essential to spiritual life. Baba's twin nephews Rustom and Sohrab reminisce about Baba's marvelous sense of humor. Jehangu Sukhadwala, husband of Baba's niece Gulnar, shows Luke Baba's room in Pune and the stone where Baba banged His head following His unveiling as the Avatar of the Age. Choir leader Debbie Nordeen coaches Luke in delivering his lines; artist Laurie Blum prepares the stage sets; Katie greets pilgrims in Meherazad; Meheru tells stories of Baba's love for animals; Bhauji comments on why there is so much turmoil and suffering in today's world; Meherwan Jessawala, "the gentlest of men," leads Luke up Seclusion Hill. Luke's skillful narration alternates with that of his dad, Peter Sumner, and there are several touching scenes of the warmth between father and son. Subtitles for some of the Indian speakers will be appreciated by non-Indian viewers.

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