The Elephant Whisperers is a 2019 documentary short filmed in South India by director Kartika Gonsalves that wants to highlight the “beauty of wild spaces” in India and around the world.
In Tamil Nadu, Bomman and Bellie are two elephant caretakers. The Elephant Whisperers explores their unique relationship with an orphaned young elephant named Raghu as they nurse him back to health and reveal how their relationship with Raghu (and other elephants in their care) has altered their lives until he is forcibly relocated to another sanctuary.
What Will It Remind You Of? : Unlike most animal films, The Elephant Whisperers is not a cautionary tale about a species on the verge of extinction at the hands of cruel humans or harsh methods in our daily lives. Instead, the emphasis is on learning and forming relationships with the creatures, as in My Octopus Teacher.
Worth Observing: Bellie’s story is poignant, as caring for elephants has filled the emptiness left by her young daughter’s death. She now shares caregiving duties with her granddaughter, who is growing to appreciate the majestic animals as family members.
Indian culture venerates elephants and other animals as a tribute to the shared land and existence. Bomman states of his relationship with Raghu, “This is God’s presence in my life.” Without him, nothing would exist.
Sexuality and the Human Body: Nothing to see here.
This documentary is for animal lovers and anyone who have ever desired to visit an elephant sanctuary. The 41-minute piece weaves a wonderful tale about love and family in a community in rural India where elephants and other wild animals coexist peacefully with humans.
The documentary focuses on one special interaction between guardians Bomman and Bellie and an abandoned elephant to illustrate the unique bond between animal and human. The power of The Elephant Whisperers lies in its comparison of this relationship to that of parents and children, as well as in its portrayal of Bomman and Bellie’s vibrant personalities as they engage with the elephants. As the next generation of caretakers learns how to bathe and play with the elephants, it is also a rare and stunning glimpse at how vital these animals can be to a culture.
The Elephant Whisperers is a heartwarming look at the link between humans and animals, and at less than an hour in length, it’s definitely worth watching.
Our Request: STREAM IT. This brief and sweet documentary serves as a reminder that the beauty of nature is all around us, and that we can learn so much from the various species that share our planet.
Radhika Menon (@menonrad) is a Los Angeles-based TV-obsessed writer. Her writing has featured in publications such as Vulture, Teen Vogue, Paste, and others. She can pontificate about Friday Night Lights, the University of Michigan, and the perfect slice of pizza at any given time. She may be called Rad.