Film recommendation: Thailand’s Urban Giants
By Debra Durham • May 19th, 2008 • Category: Elephants, Recommendation, Video
During my recent trip to Thailand I saw first hand how some elephants are exploited and abused. I also learned about the suffering exacted by the traditional training methods and physically abusive “management” of working elephants. The fortunate few find their way to sanctuary where they have a chance to know safety and dignity.
This documentary film highlights both the cultural and ethical issues raised by the practices of working and “performing” elephants in Thailand’s urban centers. The stories of individuals take the film beyond essentialist views of elephants and of human-elephant relationships - be they cruel and exploitative or supportive and kind.
Perhaps one of the most compelling scenes in the film is footage of the training method known as “the crush.” The term is at least a gross understatement, if not a complete misnomer. Babies are taken from their mothers at a young age and their minds and bodies are broken through beatings, starvation and imprisonment. You can watch this and other scenes by visiting the film’s video page. Click on Training Crush from the menu at the bottom of the video player.
This is disturbing footage. If you don’t care to end on this note, be sure to watch Future Hope, too. See this post from the Elephant Nature Park where some of the scenes were filmed.
Deb — This film includes the story of Shirley and Jenny, two former circus elephants who had known each other briefly and then were reunited at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee something like 23 years later. I’m amazed at the reach this film has had and at how many people remember this one segment. It truly speak to the power of storytelling and how we can harness it to improve life for animals.
Amy,
I agree this is a great film all around. An elephant never forgets I guess.
The film, or at least substantial sections of it can be viewed right on the PBS website, too.
Best,
Deb