The winner of The Humane Society of the United States’ 2010 Animal Content in Entertainment (ACE) documentary grant, One Lucky Elephant is hitting film festivals across the country with the poignant story of Flora, a retired circus elephant in need of a suitable home.
Having premiered at the prestigious Los Angeles Film Festival, it subsequently played at the Woodstock Film Festival, where it ignited debate about the impact of captivity on elephants and other wild animals used for our entertainment, One Lucky Elephant is now scheduled to get movie audiences talking when it screens at the Starz Denver Film Festival (Nov. 12-14) and the Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival (Nov. 13).
“A ten thousand pound love story”
Ten years in the making, One Lucky Elephant begins with circus producer David Balding’s realization that Flora, the orphaned African elephant he adopted and made the star of his St. Louis circus, should no longer be performing. What unfolds is a nine-year odyssey to find her the best possible environment in which to live out her life. Can she be returned to the wild? Can a zoo possibly provide for her needs, or is a sanctuary her only hope? And how will David cope with giving up Flora, whom he genuinely regards as his “daughter?”
In following Flora and David’s journey, One Lucky Elephant raises questions about wild animals who are made to perform, their disconnection from their habitat and their own kind, and the damage done by the human imprint.
As a virtual “poster child” for all species taken from the wild, Flora’s story reveals that she could be called One Lucky Elephant. But can the same be said for most elephants subjected to life in circuses and zoos, or dolphins and orcas forced to perform in marine parks, or any wild animals separated from their natural environments and families?
Join the conversation
Please help The HSUS and the filmmakers bring the debate about captive wildlife to St. Louis and Denver by attending one of the screenings and panel discussions listed below:
Starz Denver Film Festival
Friday, November 12, 6:30 p.m., followed by Q&A
Saturday, November 13, 7:15 p.m.
Sunday, November 14, 2:00 p.m.
Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival
Saturday, November 13, 5:45 p.m. (Q&A to include circus producer David Balding, director Lisa Leeman, producer Cristina Colissimo, animal behaviorist Dr. Stephanie LeFarge, Pittsburg Zoo’s Willie Theison, and other panelists.)
Enviroshop is maintained by dedicated NetSys Interactive Inc. owners & employees who generously contribute their time to maintenance & editing, web design, custom programming, & website hosting for Enviroshop.