An Apology to Elephants
| An Apology to Elephants | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Amy Schatz |
| Written by | Jane Wagner |
| Produced by | Amy Schatz Beth Aala |
| Starring | Pat Derby Cynthia Moss Raman Sukumar |
| Narrated by | Lily Tomlin |
| Cinematography | Alex Rappaport, Scott Sinkler |
| Edited by | Tom Patterson |
| Music by | Joby Talbot |
| Distributed by | HBO |
Release date |
|
Running time | 40 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
An Apology to Elephants is a 2013 documentary that explores abuse and brutal treatment of elephants. It showcases elephant training and the psychological trauma and physical damage done by living conditions in some zoos and circuses. It was premiered on HBO on April 22, 2013, also celebrated as an Earth Day.[1] The documentary includes interviews with environmental activists and biologists, including Performing Animal Welfare Society co-founders Ed Stewart and Pat Derby. The film was dedicated to Derby, also known as an "elephant lady", who died on February 15, 2013.[2]
Narrator
Synopsis
The documentary begins by showing the transfer of elephants from a train; the narrator states that "the elephants need our help". It proceeds with Joyce Poole, an elephant biologist, discussing some of the characteristics of an elephant, including mirror recognition capability. Cynthia Moss and Katy Payne explain some of the habits of elephants. While discussing anthropomorphism of elephants, Indian scientist Raman Sukumar states that elephants have a love–hate relationship with human society. The documentary then describes elephant capture for public display in circuses and zoos.
After describing the role of elephants in the environment, the documentary depicts some of the training techniques at circuses using
The documentary depicts new bullhook-free techniques implemented at Oakland Zoo for elephants; it ends by raising an alarm against the ivory trade, stating that the current elephant killing rate would lead to extinction of the species in ten years.
Credits
- Cast
- Pat Derby
- Colleen Kinzley
- Jeff Kinzley
- Ross MacPhee
- Cynthia Moss
- Joel Parrott
- Joyce Poole
- Mel Richardson
- Ed Stewart
- Raman Sukumar
- Katy Payne
Reception
The documentary received generally positive feedback on release.
After the documentary was premiered on HBO, Feld Inc. which is a parent company of Ringling Bros circus expressed that the documentary is a "one-sided hit piece". They mentioned that Amy Schatz contacted them to have "a full range of voices on the subject of elephants" but did not showcase anything saying "the Conservation Center isn't one HBO wants us to cover in the film". They also noted that the documentary has "an anti-circus political agenda". Later, HBO issued a statement in response to the allegation from Ringling Bros circus that the documentary "explores a wide range of issues surrounding [but] unfortunately not all can be included in the final film".[13]
References
- ^ Dinsmore, Jef (24 April 2013). "HBO Documentary Film: An Apology to Elephants". HBOwatch.com. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
- ^ Mai-Duc, Christine (20 February 2013). "Pat Derby dies at 70; rescuer of exotic and performing animals". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
- ^ Silverstein, Melissa (22 April 2013). "Interview with Lily Tomlin: Narrator and Executive Producer of An Apology to Elephants". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- PETA. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
- ^ "Lily Tomlin's 'An Apology to Elephants' documentary looks at lives of captive, wild elephants". The Washington Post. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.[dead link]
- ^ Chitwood, Elizabeth (24 April 2013). "Earth Day: Earth Week An Apology to Elephants Review". elephantopia.org. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- ^ Silver, Marc (18 April 2013). "Lily Tomlin Speaks Out for Elephants". nationalgeographic.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- ^ Lowry, Brian (18 April 2013). "TV Review: HBO's 'An Apology to Elephants'". Variety. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
- ^ Linden, Sheri (17 April 2013). "An Apology to Elephants: TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- ^ Evans, Greg (21 April 2013). "'Elephant Apology' Tracks Abuse; Risk in Retirement: TV". Bloomberg. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- Common Sense. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- Postmedia News. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- ^ Lowry, Brian (22 April 2013). "Ringling Bros. Derides HBO Elephants Doc as 'One-Sided'". Variety. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
External links
- An Apology to Elephants at IMDb
- An Apology to Elephants at HBO
