When Elephants Were Young (2016)

When Elephants Were Young Poster

A young man and his young elephant street beg in gritty Bangkok amid the controversial elephant business that threatens their survival, until the opportunity comes to release the elephant to the wild.

Movie Introduction
"When Elephants Were Young" is a 2016 documentary film directed by Patricia Sims and co-written by William Shatner. This genuine real-life story unfolds in the landscapes of urban Bangkok and remote jungles of Thailand, informing an intriguing story about the bond in between elephants and people in the contemporary world, mainly focusing on a street beggar named Wok and his young, captive elephant named Nong Mai.

Plot
The narrative follows Wok and Nong Mai, exploring their every day life and has a hard time on the streets of Bangkok. As a street beggar, Wok uses Nong Mai as a destination, offering travelers the chance to feed, photograph, and connect with the elephant for cash- a harsh exploitation of Thailand's spiritual and endangered nationwide animal.

The documentary analyzes both the appeal and extreme truth of the relationship in between Wok and Nong Mai and human-elephant relationships in basic. We see how, while elephants are revered in Thailand, they are likewise made use of for labor and entertainment functions- an inconsistent scenario that the film attempts to decipher.

Wok's Transformation
Wok's journey from a street beggar having an elephant unlawfully, to ending up being an enthusiastic wildlife advocate, is a central part of the story. His transformation begins to unfold when he discovers that elephants in captivity typically deal with distressing conditions and reduced life-spans. Understanding how his actions contribute to the suffering, Wok encounters inner chaos. The movie represents his progressive development of comprehending why it's necessary to keep elephants in their natural environment - a crucial subject which the documentary emphasizes on.

Tackling Elephant Exploitation
In "When Elephants Were Young", the filmmakers don't shy away from depicting the widespread elephant exploitation in Thailand. There are heart-wrenching scenes showing young elephants being recorded and extremely trained for labor or home entertainment. These representations serve to uplift the narrative's plea to end the capture and mistreatment of these mild giants.

Conservation Efforts and Rescue Mission
The concluding part of the film concentrates on a bold rescue objective performed by Wok and some local conservationists to free Nong Mai from the life of street pleading. This reveals a motivating look of the efforts being made in Thailand to rescue and secure elephants from human exploitation, reinforcing the urgency of this global preservation problem.

Conclusion
"When Elephants Were Young" delivers an impactful message by weaving a gorgeous narrative around Wok and Nong Mai. As viewers accompany Wok in his journey from ignorance to understanding and action, they are informed and obliged to take part in essential conversations about animal exploitation, conservation, and the intricacies surrounding human-animal relationships. The film stands out as a good effort in raising worldwide awareness about the mistreatment and precarious condition of wild elephants in Thailand and around the globe.

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