Oscar 2023: India's 'The Elephant Whisperers' Secures Best Documentary Short Film

Directed by: Kartiki Gonsalves

Written by: Priscilla Gonsalves · Garima Pura Patiyaalvi

Music by: Sven Faulconer

Produced by: Guneet Monga

Set in the Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu, "The Elephant Whisperers" highlights the Indian practice of environmental conservation.

The film, directed by Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Guneet Monga, was one of India's official entries for the 2023 Oscars and went on to win the Best Documentary Short Film award, triumphing over other nominated films like "Haulout," "The Martha Mitchell Effect," "Stranger at the Gate," and "How Do You Measure a Year."

The 30-minute documentary focuses on the bond between an orphaned elephant named Raghu and his caretakers, a couple named Bomman and Bellie, who dedicate their lives to safeguarding Raghu from poachers and raising him. The film was released on Netflix on December 8, 2022.

Following the Oscar win, Monga took to Twitter to express her excitement, tweeting, "We just made history by winning the first-ever Oscar for an Indian production! Two women accomplished this! I'm still trembling with excitement (sic)."

According to India Today, Guneet Monga expressed her delight when the documentary was nominated for the Oscars in December 2022, stating that the team was "beyond ecstatic" that a film about elephants and humans coexisting in the same environment had received recognition at the Oscars.

She stated, "It's an honor to be among such diverse projects in the top 15 shortlisted films for the 95th Academy Awards. We are thrilled that 'The Elephant Whisperers,' which tells the story of elephants in South India and the indigenous communities coexisting in the same space, has been shortlisted for the Best Documentary Short Film category."

In the Best Documentary Feature Film category, Shaunak Sen's 'All That Breathes' lost out to 'Navalny.' The other nominees were 'All The Beauty And the Bloodshed,' 'Fire Of Love,' and 'A House Of Splinters.' Comedian Jimmy Kimmel is hosting the Oscars for the third time at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, USA, this year.

Story: 'The Elephant Whisperers' portrays the captivating tale of Bomman and Bellie, a couple who have devoted their lives to safeguarding elephants in Tamil Nadu's Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.

This short documentary evokes a range of emotions, with each frame resonating with tranquility, empathy, and pathos, leaving a lasting impact on viewers. As the two orphaned elephants, Raghu and Ammu, find solace and a new lease of life under the couple's care, the audience experiences both joy and sadness as Raghu is assigned to another caregiver. The documentary takes the audience to the Theppakadu Elephant Camp, a 140-year-old camp that looks after orphaned elephants within the Tiger Reserve. It showcases the couple's efforts in raising two orphaned elephants in South India, while highlighting the importance of preserving the natural environment and its inhabitants.

The documentary creates a mesmerizing jungle narrative with its slow camera movements and stunning cinematography, immersing viewers in the natural beauty of the setting. The story revolves around Bomman and Bellie, who treat Raghu, an orphaned elephant, like their own child despite their financial difficulties. The film takes a step back in time to explore Raghu's backstory, how he became an orphan, and how the couple took care of him. Later on, the couple takes responsibility for another orphaned elephant named Ammu. Unfortunately, the documentary ends on a sad note as Raghu's care is entrusted to another caregiver.

The documentary's strength lies in its visuals, which capture the audience's attention. The scenes of Bomman washing the two elephants in the river or Bellie sharing her story of how the elephants helped her cope with her daughter's death are particularly moving. Bomman emphasizes the couple's respect for the forest, explaining that they only take what is necessary for their survival, a valuable lesson in itself. The couple is so fond of the forest that they walk barefoot to show their appreciation.