WikiDwarf: Creating The Elephant Whisperers

2023-03-13T05:19:53Z

Creating The Elephant Whisperers

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{{Short description|2022 documentary by Kartiki Gonsalves}}
{{for|the 2009 book|The Elephant Whisperer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name = The Elephant Whisperers
| image = The Elephant Whisperers film poster.jpg
| caption = Official poster
| native_name =
| director = {{ubl|[[Kartiki Gonsalves]]}}
| writer =
| screenplay =
| story = [[Timothy_A._Gonsalves#Personal_life|Priscilla Gonsalves]]
| based_on =
| producer = {{ubl|Douglas Blush|Kartiki Gonsalves|[[Guneet Monga]]|Achin Jain}}
| starring =
| narrator =
| cinematography = {{ubl|Karan Thapliyal|Krish Makhija|Anand Bansal|Kartiki Gonsalves}}
| editing = {{ubl|Sanchari Das Mollick|Douglas Blush|}}
| music = {{ubl|Sven Faulconer}}
| production_companies = [[Sikhya Entertainment]]
| distributor = [[Netflix]]
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2022|12|8}}
| runtime = 39 minutes
| country = India <br/> United States
| language = Tamil
| budget =
}}

'''''The Elephant Whisperers''''' is a 2022 Indian-American Tamil short [[documentary film]] directed by documentary filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves in her directorial debut. The documentary is about the bond that develops between a couple and an orphaned baby elephant, Raghu, who was entrusted to their care. Produced by [[Sikhya Entertainment]], the film had its world premiere on 9 November 2022 at [[Doc NYC|DOC NYC]] Film Festival, a film festival for documentaries in the [[United States]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Carey |first=Matthew |date=18 Oct 2022 |title=DOC NYC Shortlist Announcement Brings Focus To Wide-Open Documentary Awards Race |work=Deadline |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/doc-nyc-shortlist-announcement-news-1235148946/ |access-date=22 November 2022 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123062434/https://deadline.com/2022/10/doc-nyc-shortlist-announcement-news-1235148946/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9-27 Nov 2022 |title=The Elephant Whisperers |url=https://www.docnyc.net/film/shortlist-shorts-change-makers/the-elephant-whisperers/ |access-date=22 November 2022 |website=[[Doc NYC]] |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123062436/https://www.docnyc.net/film/shortlist-shorts-change-makers/the-elephant-whisperers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film was released by [[Netflix]] globally on 8 December 2022 for streaming.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/documentary-the-elephant-whisperers-to-drop-on-december-8-on-netflix-news-237377 |last=IANS |date=22 November 2022 |title=Documentary 'The Elephant Whisperers' To Drop On December 8 On Netflix |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)]] |access-date=22 November 2022 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123062434/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/documentary-the-elephant-whisperers-to-drop-on-december-8-on-netflix-news-237377 |url-status=live }}</ref> It won the [[Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film]] at the [[95th Academy Awards]].<ref name=oscarnom:hr /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/2023-oscars-nominations-full-list |title=2023 Oscars Nominations: See the Full List |date=24 January 2023 |access-date=24 January 2023 |website=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208222544/https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/2023-oscars-nominations-full-list |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Content ==

[[File:Raghu Juvenile Camp Elephant Bathing Theppakadu Mudumalai Mar21 A7C 00611.jpg|thumb|right |Raghu (juvenile male elephant) bathing, Moyar river, Theppakadu, Mudumalai National Park, Tamilnadu, India]]

''The Elephant Whisperers'' tells the story of an indigenous couple named Bomman and Belli who are entrusted with an orphaned baby elephant named Raghu. They take great pains to ensure that the fragile, injured infant survives and grows to be a healthy juvenile. A strong bond develops between the couple and the elephant. Set in the [[Mudumalai National Park]] in the beautiful state of Tamil Nadu, India, the documentary also highlights the natural beauty of the location. It explores the life of the tribal people in harmony with nature.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 Nov 2022 |title=Documentary The Elephant Whisperers set to release on December 8 |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/documentary-the-elephant-whisperers-set-to-release-on-december-8-451811 |access-date=22 Nov 2022 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123062435/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/documentary-the-elephant-whisperers-set-to-release-on-december-8-451811 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film is not just a heart-touching story of a bond between animal and human and co-existence, but also showcases Indian culture and tradition of environment conservation.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/netflix-s-the-elephant-whisperers-showcases-how-much-india-has-to-offer-to-the-world-of-cinema-news-260240|title= ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ Showcases How Much India Has To Offer To The World Of Cinema|first= Prateek|last= Sur|date= 7 February 2023|access-date= 12 March 2023|website= Outlook|language= en|archive-date= 12 March 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230312064755/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/netflix-s-the-elephant-whisperers-showcases-how-much-india-has-to-offer-to-the-world-of-cinema-news-260240|url-status= live}}</ref>

== Production ==
[[File:A family group of elephants in Mudumalai TR AJTJohnsingh.jpg|thumb|right|A family group of elephants in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, India]]

Kartiki Gonsalves spent five years following human-elephant blended family belonging to [[Kattunayakan]] tribe to make this documentary. As she stated, “I met Raghu [the baby elephant] when he was exactly three months old,” she added, "I spent about a year and a half with him when he was a tiny baby before this became a documentary.” While filming documentary her team also photographed other inhabitants of the reserve, including leopards, tigers, and monkeys.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/the-elephant-whisperers-netflix-documentary-short-director-kartiki-gonsalves-interview-news-1235199935/|title=Oscar-Contending Short 'The Elephant Whisperers' Centers On Indigenous Indian Couple And Their Sizeable Family|last=Carey|first=Matthew|date=15 December 2022|access-date=12 March 2023|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-date=1 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201170924/https://deadline.com/2022/12/the-elephant-whisperers-netflix-documentary-short-director-kartiki-gonsalves-interview-news-1235199935/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Reception ==

[[File:Camp Elephant Bath Self Mudumalai Mar21 A7C 00315.jpg|thumb|Male camp elephant bathes self in Moyar River, Mudumalai National Park, Tamilnadu, India]]

On the review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] website, the film has an approval rating of 100% based on 5 reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10.<ref name="score:rotten">{{cite Rotten Tomatoes |title= The Elephant Whisperers (Documentary/Short 2023) |id= the_elephant_whisperers |type=m |access-date=12 March 2023}}</ref>

Romey Norton of ''Ready Steady Cut'' rated the film 3.5 out of 5 and said that "It packs a small punch and is definitely worth the watch, especially if you love elephants".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://readysteadycut.com/2022/12/08/the-elephant-whisperers-review/|title=The Elephant Whisperers review – touching story of a couples life with elephants|last=Norton|first=Romey|date=8 December 2022|work=Ready Steady Cut|access-date=18 December 2022|archive-date=11 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211155843/https://readysteadycut.com/2022/12/08/the-elephant-whisperers-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> Poulomi Das reviewing for [[Firstpost]] wrote, that "narrative, is fairly straightforward, the storytelling manages to be simultaneously gentle and persuasive". Praising the cinematography, Das wrote, "the film is elevated by its stunning cinematography". Das opined that "Much of the beauty of the film lies in the understated coming-of-age of the film’s narrative that draws ample parallels between humans and animals." Das said, that ''The Elephant Whisperers'' "is ultimately a love-story about the power of community," and concluded by saying, "the film champions the dignity of — all kinds of — life."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/the-elephant-whisperers-review-a-moving-love-story-about-the-power-of-community-11860861.html|title=The Elephant Whisperers review: A moving love story about the power of community|last=Das|first=Poulomi|date=23 December 2022|access-date=12 January 2023|work=Firstpost|archive-date=12 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112155114/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/the-elephant-whisperers-review-a-moving-love-story-about-the-power-of-community-11860861.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Manjeet Singh of Leisure Byte reviewing the film praised the film writing, "the complete documentary appears more like an experience, that needs to be felt, than rather just to be seen." Singh opined that "The docufilm is capable of making you cry, or even sob" and it is "the finest presentation of the year."<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.leisurebyte.com/the-elephant-whisperers-review/|title= The Elephant Whisperers Review: Invisible Language of Love|first= Manjeet|last= Singh|date= December 8, 2022|access-date= January 24, 2023|website= Leisure Byte|language= en|archive-date= 18 December 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221218040516/https://www.leisurebyte.com/the-elephant-whisperers-review/|url-status= live}}</ref>

== Accolades ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Date of ceremony
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Recipient(s)
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable" |{{Refh}}
|-
! scope="row"|[[Academy Awards]]
| [[95th Academy Awards|12 March 2023]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film|Best Documentary Short Film]]
| Kartiki Gonsalves, [[Guneet Monga]]
|{{Won}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/95th-oscars-full-winners-list-2023 |date=March 12, 2023 |title=95th Oscars: See the Full List of Winners Here |website=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |access-date=March 13, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313032935/https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/95th-oscars-full-winners-list-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=oscarnom:hr>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscar-nominations-2023-nominees-list-1235307974/ |title=Oscars: Full List of Nominations |first=Hilary |last=Lewis |date=January 24, 2023 |access-date=January 24, 2023 |website=Hollywood Reporter |language=en |archive-date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124150506/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscar-nominations-2023-nominees-list-1235307974/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhdaLnKMJHA|title=95th Oscar Nominations Announcement {{!}} Hosted by Riz Ahmed & Allison Williams|work=Oscar|publisher=YouTube|date=January 24, 2023|access-date=January 24, 2023|archive-date=25 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125084935/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhdaLnKMJHA|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"|[[DOC NYC]]
|9 November 2022
|Shorts: Change Makers
| ''The Elephant Whisperers''
| {{longlisted|Shortlisted}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shortlist Shorts: Change Makers |url=https://www.docnyc.net/film/shortlist-shorts-change-makers/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 January 2023 |website=[[Doc NYC]] |archive-date=18 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118171846/https://www.docnyc.net/film/shortlist-shorts-change-makers/ }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"|[[Hollywood Music in Media Awards]]
| [[13th Hollywood Music in Media Awards|16 November 2022]]
|Score – Short Film (Documentary)
|Sven Faulconer
| {{Nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 HMMA Nominations |url=https://www.hmmawards.com/2022-hmma-nominations/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 January 2023 |website=[[Hollywood Music in Media Awards]] |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111194844/https://www.hmmawards.com/2022-hmma-nominations/ }}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|[[International Documentary Association#IDA Documentary Awards|IDA Documentary Awards]]
|10 December 2022
|Best Short Documentary
| ''The Elephant Whisperers''
| {{Nominated}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |title=38th IDA Documentary Awards Shortlists for Best Features and Shorts |url=https://www.documentary.org/awards2022/shortlist |url-status=live |access-date=18 January 2023 |website=[[International Documentary Association]] |archive-date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131140946/https://www.documentary.org/awards2022/shortlist }}</ref>
|-
|}

== See also ==

* [[Submissions for Best Documentary Short Academy Award]]
* [[Mudumalai National Park]]
* [[Theppakadu|Theppakadu Elephant Camp]]
* [[Tamil Nadu Forest Department]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
* {{Netflix title}}
* [https://www.highonfilms.com/the-elephant-whisperers-2022-review/ ''High on Films'' review]
* [https://www.leisurebyte.com/the-elephant-whisperers-review/ ''Leisure Byte'' review]

{{Academy Award Best Documentary Short}}

{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elephant Whisperers, The}}

[[Category:Indian short documentary films]]
[[Category:Documentary films about elephants]]
[[Category:Films shot in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:American short documentary films]]
[[Category:2022 short documentary films]]
[[Category:Films by Indian directors]]
[[Category:Best Documentary Short Subject Academy Award winners]]

The Elephant Whisperers - Revision history

WikiDwarf: Creating The Elephant Whisperers