Cloud9: Film Producer, Steve Sarowitz and the Making of The Gate

Cloud9 is a podcast produced by Baha’i Teachings. Its aim is to feature interviews with artists and discuss what inspires them to make a positive contribution to the world. In this episode, Baha’i Teachings’ arts editor Shadi Toloui-Wallace interviews Chicagoan Steve Sarowitz about his documentary film The Gate. Steve first heard about the Baha’i Faith in his early 20s while attending college, and was instantly attracted to the Baha’i concept of progressive revelation. Although he was deeply moved by the Baha’i Teachings, he waited almost 30 years before declaring his faith publicly, while on a serendipitous trip to Akka, Israel, where he visited the Baha’i Holy Sites and Shrines. When he returned to Chicago, eager to share his news, he was encouraged by a friend to make a movie about the Baha’i Faith. 

Following a series of fortuitous events, Steve set out on a journey with producer and philanthropist Peter Samuelson and award-winning film director Bob Hercules to produce a documentary film about the Prophet-herald of the Baha’i Faith, the Bab. Titled The Gate, the movie highlights the fascinating story, life, teachings and ministry of the Bab.

You can get a glimpse of what the movie is like by watching its trailer here.

If you enjoy this podcast, you might like the Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson. Rainn also interviewed Steve and you can listen to their conversation here: Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson – Episode 25: Steve Sarowitz. I also interviewed Steve, and you can read what we talked about here in this Baha’i Blog article.

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Naysan Naraqi

Naysan is passionate about using the arts and media to explore the teachings of the Baha’i Faith. Back in 2011, Naysan started up the Baha’i Blog project, channeling his experiences in both media and technology companies to help create a hub for Baha’i-inspired content online.