How I Became an Elephant

20121 h 21 minFilm: Documentary

Direction: Tim GorskiSynthian Sharp

Production: Tim GorskiDavid ReubenJorja FoxDebbie PagellAlec PedersenJuliette West

This title is an acquisition.

When Juliette West set out on a quest to educate herself she got far more than she bargained for. How I Became an Elephant follows this wide-eyed fourteen year-old from suburban California on her quest to save the world’s largest land mammals; a quest that takes her halfway across the globe and face to face with the gentle giants she aims to save.

On her journey Juliette meets Asia’s famous “Elephant Lady,” Lek Chailert who has risked her life and freedom for more than three decades to protect elephants from illegal trade and abuse. Together these unwavering and determined women from opposite ends of the earth and cultural spectrum converge on common ground: saving elephants. And they will stop at nothing to expose the dark secrets within industries so steeped in greed and corruption… and hopefully reverse the damage.

But Juliette knows time is of the essence. The South East Asian elephant is facing extinction in the wild as animal entertainment and elephant trekking industries grow exponentially. With few laws to protect “domestic” elephants and so much corruption within the system the situation looks bleak. Little does this fourteen year-old know she is about to embark on a journey that will change her life forever.

Part investigative journalism and all adventure, this elephant documentary with its exotic and sometimes disturbing imagery is inspiring folks around the globe to get involved. How I Became An Elephant is far more than just a film. It’s one girl’s story… that led to a movement, which led to a continuing plan… to save a species.

Subject categories


  • Animals > Animal Welfare OrganizationsEndangered SpeciesPortraits

Credits


director
Tim Gorski
Synthian Sharp
producer
Tim Gorski
David Reuben
Jorja Fox
Debbie Pagell
Alec Pedersen
Juliette West