Netflix documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperer’ shortlisted for Oscar nominations
Earlier this month, a short and heart-warming documentary film named The Elephant Whisperers premiered on Netflix India, that has now been shortlisted for upcoming Oscar nomination for the category ‘Best Documentary Short’. The 95th Academy Awards is scheduled for 12th March 2023 at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, USA. While countries across the world have been submitting their best works for Oscar nominations shortlist since the beginning of December, the actual nomination voting will run from 12th to 17th January 2023. On 24th of the same month, the final nominations will be announced.
Now, coming back to The Elephant Whisperers, it’s a short documentary about an indigenous couple named Bomman and Bellie who are entrusted with the care and nurturing of an orphaned elephant named Raghu. The story revolves around the couple’s unconditional love and bond with the animal and focusses on the rehabilitation and survival of her disappearing wildlife. It is based in South India and shares the real-world tale of how people and elephants co-habit. In fact, the makers have suggested that the plot is based on a real-life story from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. The story bridges the gap between the human and the natural world. The coming-of-age film runs for 41 minutes and has so far been released in both Tamil and English.
The documentary begins with the tribal couple working and living at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp (oldest Asian Camp for elephants) and their day-to-day activities surrounding their adopted child, the baby elephant Raghu, who is an integral part of their life. The entire film gives a detailed insight into the world of Raghu that slowly turns better thanks to the wonderful couple who looks after him.
The docufilm is a commentary on the forest and its inhabitants and how humans and animals are not that different when it comes to feeling emotions, be it sorrow or happiness. Be it Raghu wiping off the tears of Bellie when she remembers her dead daughter or joining her for the family portrait during the couple’s wedding, The Elephant Whisperers is not just a film but a wholesome experience.
Director and Executive Producer Kartiki Gonsalves shared how his goal has finally been fulfilled as he always wanted to narrate the unique stories from his local heartland and reach the global audience. Sikhya Entertainments, the banner under which the film has been launched, has previously produced other powerful tales through cinema, such as The Lunchbox and Masaan.