Toy pigs. Red pandas. Dogs with casts. The animal kingdom is vast, but there are some creatures that are just leagues above cuter than the rest. That’s why I couldn’t have been more excited when Deadline reported that Raju, that sweet little crying elephant, would be getting his own full-length, professionally made movie. Move over, Free Willy, here comes an ELEPHANT with BEAUTIFUL HAPPY FEELINGS.
A while back, a video was made depicting the story of Raju, an animal who was kept in chains and abused for over fifty years. At the time he was discovered, Raju was starving, covered in weeping sores and pus. Having been forced – out of hunger – to eat the paper handouts given to tourists, Raju was near dead when saved by a group of wildlife activists. Near-dead, and also: crying. Just like all of you, right now.
It’s a maudlin story, but also a real one. Elephant abuse has sharpened dramatically over recent years, both in India – Raju’s home – and throughout Asia and Africa. While elephants are considered sacred in Hinduism, limited economic opportunities and historical tradition also play a role in their abuse.
Larry Brezner, who produced Good Morning, Vietnam as well as Ride Along (that’s a range) is expected to produce Raju’s story. Will Raju’s movie be sentimental? Empowering, or emotionally exploitative? Don’t know but also: don’t care. There’s almost no way in my mind for a movie about an elephant released from elephant prison into elephant heaven (he has a new home with pools, fresh food, new elephant friends!!!) to be anything but excellent. To clarify: there are many ways, but I refuse to think about them.
Do you think he’ll get an elephant dressing room?
An elephant director’s chair?
I’m crying already.