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A New Documentary about Actress Carole Lombard

August 3, 2017, in Articles > Videos & Film, by

We’re so excited to let everyone know about this exciting new documentary about Carole Lombard by Vargha Mazlum! Carole Lombard was a famous American actress who lived from 1908 to 1942 and who ranks among the greatest female stars of classic Hollywood cinema. Carole was a Baha’i and Vargha set out to tell her story. Narrated by Eva La Rue, this documentary is available for purchase and download from 9StarMedia. We’re always keen to find out more about Baha’i movies and documentaries so we were thrilled when Vargha agreed to be interviewed!

Baha’i Blog: Hi Vargha! Thanks for joining us! To begin, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your film background?

Hi Naysan! Thank you for this opportunity. I was raised in Italy and lived over 19 years in China. Now I am back in Europe. I have been involved with music since my childhood. I was part of a music group and we traveled all around Europe and the US to share what we believe in: ‘the world is one country and mankind its citizens’. The passion for music is always there and now I am recording audio material for China and Italy. Some years ago I started to look into filming as there was a need for creating audiovisual material for China and in the last few years this has become more and more a passion of mine.

Baha’i Blog: Can you tell us a little bit about the documentary?

I have always been very intrigued by history. I like stories, untold stories. I am attracted by people from the past who had a side of their life which is not much known. I had heard for many years that Carole Lombard was a second generation Baha’i, but had never looked into it. Then I came across many blogs and Facebook pages with thousand of followers dedicated to her, I noticed the deep love and adoration that her fans had and have for her. They all talk about their love and adoration for her but they all cannot pinpoint why after so many years they are still so attracted to her. So I started to research her life to solve the mystery. Why was Carole so special?

Baha’i Blog: What inspired you to make this documentary in particular?

I felt that her story was suddenly interrupted by her sudden death. She could not finish what she was planning to accomplish. So, I felt a spiritual connection with her, I felt that she should have had the chance to let her voice be heard, to share with people her deep feelings towards her Faith. The more I looked into her life the more stories I found about her amazing qualities, her boundless generosity, her wisdom, her care for everyone no matter the strata of society they were from, their beliefs, the color of their skin, etc. These are all topics that were still very much at the forefront in our own society and she was so much ahead of her time.

Vargha mazlum
Vargha Mazlum

Baha’i Blog: What’s something interesting you learned about the life of Carole Lombard while making the documentary that you can share with us?

Carole Lombard was the highest paid star in her time, but she was not influenced by the materialism around her. In every step of her life, in every action, she reflected the values of her Faith. She did it in such a smooth and gentle way, that people felt very comfortable being around her. She created an atmosphere that everyone felt welcome and felt equal around her. She accompanied people through the difficult times of their lives, in a very gentle way, bringing out the best in everyone who crossed her path. She genuinely cared about everyone, even through her movies. She was the queen of screwball comedy. In a time when people were struggling through the great depression she cheered them up with her various roles, often portraying the poor girl who brings down from the pedestal the rich and the powerful who were arrogant and heartless.

Baha’i Blog: How do you hope the documentary will affect people who watch it? What do you hope they’ll take with them?

What I think people will take from the documentary is that we can all, with our limited means, make an effort to change our society and make it a better place. We should not hope or wait for leaders or people in power to do something. History has showed us that this seldom happens. All the major changes in the world have occurred because a group of people care and worked until change happened. Carole’s life is an example of someone who took the initiative to help others and if something good had to be done she was at the forefront.

Baha’i Blog: Is there anything else you’d like to share?

There are many books about her and her career, just this year two new books have been released about her life. I hope what the documentary will show to her fans is that what really made her beautiful and what really mattered to her was the opportunity to love and serve people, regardless of their background.

Baha’i Blog: Thank you so much Vargha, for telling us about your documentary!

You can watch the trailer to Vargha’s movie ‘Carole Lombard’ below, and you can purchase it here from 9StarMedia.

Posted by

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.
Naysan Naraqi

Discussion 13 Comments

Was very good. However, it did not work on my DVD in USA. Had to watch it on my computer.

Beth Blake

Beth Blake (August 8, 2017 at 4:30 PM)

Hey Beth,

So glad you liked the film! Sorry to hear about your experience with the DVDs. There are several versions that are available for purchase around the world. The ones that we offer on 9StarMedia.com are authored here in the United States to the proper NTSC & Region Free format. We made the adjustment to the DVDs we are offering once we realized that the DVDs from China were being manufactured in PAL format.

If you know anyone who is interested in getting a copy of the DVD, please direct them to our website so they can get the version in the proper US format here: https://9starmedia.com/carole-lombard-documentary

Thanks again!

Jon Rezin
9StarMedia.com

Jon Rezin

Jon Rezin (August 8, 2017 at 12:11 AM)

Opened up my computer this morning to this wonderful present–BahaiBlog.net! Thank you ever sooo much. I am so excited about having this now in my life, I cannot wait to exlpore everything posted and get involved in everything. Please tell me how I can do to share and contribute my talents and my passion.
passion.

Maureen "mo" Green

Maureen "mo" Green (August 8, 2017 at 10:21 AM)

Will the Carole Lombard documentary DVD play in the USA?

Pamela

Pamela (August 8, 2017 at 12:02 PM)

Hi Pamela, please email ‘9 Star Media’ any questions you may have about the video: [email protected]

Naysan Naraqi

Naysan Naraqi (August 8, 2017 at 5:34 PM)

Well, for me it only played on my computer. So we just sat in our computer room and enjoyed it. But this was a couple months ago. Perhaps they have new ones now that are formatted for the U.S.

Beth Blake

Beth Blake (August 8, 2017 at 5:59 PM)

Hopefully, this has now been formatted to play in the USA….thanks for your response.

Pamela

Pamela (August 8, 2017 at 9:56 PM)

Hey Pamela,

The version of the dvd that we sell on 9StarMedia.com is formatted to the proper NTSC Region free format for the United States. We re-authored it here and manufacture it ourselves to be sure!

You can find it here: https://9starmedia.com/carole-lombard-documentary

Hope you enjoy!

Jon Rezin
9StarMedia.com

Jon Rezin

Jon Rezin (August 8, 2017 at 12:14 AM)

Will do….thanks….Pam

Pamela

Pamela (August 8, 2017 at 7:12 PM)

What a great idea to tell this story. Congratulations to Vargha and all involved. I have ordered my copy.

Michael V. Day

Michael V. Day (August 8, 2017 at 1:37 AM)

For some strange reason I had not yet got around to watching my DVD–bought 3 years ago– but today, 9/9,2020, I attended a screening at a friend’s place.
I sat near the front and wondered if I were the only one being moved so deeply by this wonderful, this great documentary. But when it came to an end, we all sat stunned, overpowered by emotion.
After a while we gathered ourselves together and could tell each other about how uplifted we were by this magnificent film.
It captures the spirit of the Faith so powerfully via the story of a wonderful Baha’i, Jane Peters (Carole Lombard). It is so well-researched and the story is so well told that it is a gift just waiting for you. Buy yourself a copy because you will treasure it and want to watch it again and again.

Michael V Day

Michael V Day (September 9, 2020 at 5:36 AM)

Is this DVD playable on a UK computer / laptop in England? Please confirm. If so, I will place an order for it.
Thank you.
Thelma Batchelor (UK)

Thelma Batchelor

Thelma Batchelor (August 8, 2017 at 4:49 PM)

Hey Thelma,

This DVD that we offer on 9starmedia.com is formatted NTSC region free. If your DVD player is capable of playing back NTSC (in addition to the standard european PAL format) then you will have no problem watching this film. In fact it is typically only folks here in the US that have the challenge since our DVD players are exclusively NTSC.

Additionally, the film is available for download as well. That version will play on any digital device such as a computer, tablet, phone etc.

Thanks!

Jon Rezin

Jon Rezin (August 8, 2017 at 12:17 AM)

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