The Elephant Whisperers: Heartwarming Oscar-Nominated Netflix Documentary Follows A Tribal Couple Who Fosters an Orphaned Baby Elephant

“When stories impact people, people create change,” said Preeta after watching the academy award-nominated documentary, The Elephant Whisperers at a private screening at Soho House NYC on a cold wintery night right before her flight to India.

The Elephant Whisperers, a new Netflix documentary, shines light on the ways in which Climate change and human intrusion are destroying the habitats of Asian elephants. The short doc offers a beam of hope for mutual respect and cooperation between humans and animals so that we can move forward through coexistence.

Source: Netflix India/Youtube

“The documentary isn’t your typical Conservation style and focuses on the story of the emotional relationship between humans and animals and portrays elephants akin to children. But this is exactly why it’s going to evoke even more awareness and empathy towards the plight of the species.” says Preeta.

Preeta Sinha, founder of One Green Planet with Kartiki at Soho House NYC.

Kartiki Gonsalves’ documentary debut follows indigenous couple Bomman and Bellie, who work together to raise an orphaned elephant named Raghu as well as another calf named Ammu. The short film explores the deep and devoted bond between abandoned elephants and their caregivers. The documentary follows Bomman and Bellie taking care of the elephants and shows how the two became a part of their everyday life.

“Five years ago, I embarked on this journey, to tell the story of an orphaned elephant calf and an indigenous couple who shared the most beautiful sacred bond of man and animal and what a wild ride it’s been,” Gonsalves wrote on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CorPHOfAMKN/

Speaking on the importance of the documentary to raise awareness for elephants in India, Kartiki Gonsalves told Preeta.

“While most films have focused more on humans being cured by a bond with an animal, humans being harmed by wild animals, or wild animals suffering from human expansion into their territory, The Elephant Whisperers lets viewers understand both the elephant and the human carers with minimal outside interpretation. It portrays the dignity of both the magnificent elephants and the indigenous people who have lived with them and cared for them for centuries.”

“There are many stories of animals being killed and species dying out – but this is a positive story that highlights the beauty of man and animal working together. I believe co-existence is the way we need to move forward into the future, only with mutual respect and co-operation can we save the planet.” she added.

Preeta Sinha, founder of One Green Planet, with Guneet Monda (producer) wearing Stop Fucking With The Planet recycle tee by Tiny Rescue at Soho House NYC.

Gonsalves said that it is important now more than ever for this story to be told because of the “current Climate change situation and human encroachment on the habitat of wildlife.” Humans share many similar traits to elephants, and she hopes that viewers will be able to relate to Raghu.

“The Elephant is a very intelligent, emotional and social animal – so it was a good place to start. Humans can relate to elephants because elephants share many human traits. I am hoping that people will be able to relate to Raghu. So many films these days show the danger of animals but I wanted to show the love and connection.”

Image Courtesy The Elephant Whisperers – Netflix

Sadly, the Asian elephant is endangered and is losing its habitat at a very rapid pace due to encroachment and Climate change in a fast developing country like India. There are roughly 35-40,000 Asians left and the situation is very grim. We are losing elephants at alarming rates due to poaching and human – elephant conflict.

“I wanted the story to be positive. Why focus on all the depressing parts when there is so much beauty and such an unusual family dynamic,” Kartiki emphases. “I also wanted to show the importance of indigenous people and their knowledge and most importantly to give them a voice. They have such in-depth ancient knowledge and respect for the land they live on and share their space with. There is so much we can learn from them. It is a way of life for them and this in turn supports regeneration. The Elephant Whisperers offers a beam of hope of mutual respect and cooperation and to a way forward through coexistence.”

Elephants are intelligent and social animals that are capable of forming deep emotional connections with humans. Studies have shown that elephants are capable of recognizing individual humans and remembering them for many years. They can also recognize the voices of their caretakers and respond differently to different individuals. Overall, the bond between an elephant and a human can be a very special and meaningful relationship that is based on mutual trust, respect, and understanding.

”It just touched my heart and made me proud to see fellow Indians being recognized on a global platform. Kudos to Guneet and Kartiki!” said Preeta about the filmmakers.

The film has earned a nomination in the categories of Best Documentary Feature Film and Best Documentary Short Film. The Elephant Whisperers is available to stream on Netflix. To learn more about voting for The Elephant Whisperers for the 2023 Oscars, check out Vanity Fair.

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