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The Elephant Whisperers

  • 2022
  • PG
  • 41m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Bomman and Bellie in The Elephant Whisperers (2022)
Follows an indigenous couple as they fall in love with Raghu, an orphaned elephant given into their care, and tirelessly work to ensure his survival. The film highlights the beauty of the wild spaces in South India and the people and animals who share this space.
Play trailer2:41
1 Video
20 Photos
DocumentaryShort

Bomman and Bellie, a couple in South India, devote their lives to caring for an orphaned baby elephant named Raghu, forging a family like no other that tests the barrier between the human an... Read allBomman and Bellie, a couple in South India, devote their lives to caring for an orphaned baby elephant named Raghu, forging a family like no other that tests the barrier between the human and the animal world.Bomman and Bellie, a couple in South India, devote their lives to caring for an orphaned baby elephant named Raghu, forging a family like no other that tests the barrier between the human and the animal world.

  • Director
    • Kartiki Gonsalves
  • Writers
    • Kartiki Gonsalves
    • Priscilla Gonsalves
    • Garima Pura Patiyaalvi
  • Stars
    • Bellie
    • Bomman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kartiki Gonsalves
    • Writers
      • Kartiki Gonsalves
      • Priscilla Gonsalves
      • Garima Pura Patiyaalvi
    • Stars
      • Bellie
      • Bomman
    • 95User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 3 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:41
    Official Trailer

    Photos20

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    + 15
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    Top cast2

    Edit
    Bellie
    Bomman
    • Director
      • Kartiki Gonsalves
    • Writers
      • Kartiki Gonsalves
      • Priscilla Gonsalves
      • Garima Pura Patiyaalvi
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews95

    7.510.5K
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    Featured reviews

    8saru2020

    good one

    Though it was on my watch list, it was prioritized to the #1 position after it got the Oscars, the first Indian-made documentary film to ever receive that award.

    The cinematography capturing the forest & the lives of the elephant maintainers were just mindblowing.

    The old couple whose lives were portrayed was so simple & shuttle, though it was very short, the emotional connection they have with the elephant gets us emoted as well

    the communication & emotional connection these people have with the elephant was amazingly captured and presented.

    The naughtiness of the elephants playing around did bring smiles to our faces.

    Documentaries like these should probably be made as feature-length films for greater coverage of mass audiences, if you ask me.
    10navneetyps-92578

    The story of animal love which needs to be seen

    I started watching this when i was feeling low but there was such a calmness about this doucmentary. Such a simple story yet told in such an intricate fashion. Hats off to the cinematography team for capturing the beauty of wildlife reserve in Tamil Nadu , each shot better than the previous. The innocence of the baby elephants and the parallel to the connection between humans and their babies being same as elephants and their caretakers is shown very aptly.

    In a world where animal cruely is increasing day by day, this a truly a story, a story of love and affection, which needs to get out and be seen. I highly recommend everyone to give it a watch!
    10nishantjnereyeth

    A powerful, emotional account of a human-animal relationships

    Incredibly moving documentary about a couple in Southern India who foster orphaned elephants. The film does a phenomenal job of providing environmental, societal, and historical context to a heartwarming story. The elephants are undoubtedly the stars of the film - their mischief, gentle nature, and unconditional affection display a human child-like character that only makes you smile. Where the viewer is truly lucky is that the couple is able to translate exactly what the elephant is thinking, doing, or feeling in a way that a parent can for a child. The best thing about this short documentary is that it has something for everyone. A must watch.
    10alexandrasaundersart

    I loved this movie💜

    At a time like this when the world is so much in turmoil it is easy to get disheartened. Once in a while, though, you run across a movie that will pull at your heartstrings and make you realize that there is still goodness in the world. This movie will make you break out in smiles knowing that there are some very special people in the world who are kind and devoted to helping raise 2 baby elephants. I am so happy I found it on Netflix. I recommend it highly! I myself have already watched it twice and told all my friends and family about it! Kudos to the Director, wildlife photographer Kartiki Gonsalves, and her film crew for making this charming movie and bringing it to the world.
    9etcrushabh57-432-364331

    Heartwarming and a Stunning Short Documentary

    I saw this on Netflix 2 days prior to the Oscars & absolutely fell in love with the documentary..

    The visuals are breathtaking, the emotions are so genuine, the production value is on point, the narrative so engaging & lastly, you end up longing for a part 2 !!

    The 2 central character are so caring, down to earth but the main takeaways are specific to how the director humanized this topic into showing the culture of this Indian tribe & how love is the only eternal emotion that transcends everything in this universe..

    Special shoutout to Ammu & Raghu who make this documentary so heartwarming!!!

    A well deserved Oscars !!

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Director Kartiki Gonsalves spent five years with the Kattunayakan tribe to make this documentary. She says she met Raghu when he was three months old, and the documentary didn't start shooting for another 18 months.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Oscars (2023)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 8, 2022 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • India
    • Language
      • Tamil
    • Also known as
      • Заклинателі слонів
    • Production company
      • Sikhya Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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