Both “All That Breathes” and “The Elephant Whisperers” focus on the intricately rooted connection between animals, man, and the disrupted ecosystem caused by man. But the films couldn’t be more different in treatment, visual style, and execution
From India, there were three nominated films and six nominees at the 95th Academy Awards, 2022-23. The films — diametrically diverse in their stories, visual brilliance, and powerful grasp of the filmmaking craft – reflect the vast talent thriving in India, reported americankahani.com.
Centering on an indigenous Indian couple from Tamil Nadu, “The Elephant Whisperers” — nominated for the Best Documentary Short Oscar – is about Bomman and Bellie, who successfully raise an orphaned male calf elephant named Raghu. Filmed in the Madumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu, director Kartiki Gonsalves tells a profoundly emotional story between man and animal and captures the stunning beauty of the forest where the couple lives. Produced by well-known Bollywood producer Guneet Monga and streaming on Netflix — Gonsalves uses her extensive experience, knowledge, and technical skillset as a wildlife photographer to weave a majestic yet heartwarming directorial debut.
Along with “The Elephant Whisperers”, there was “All That Breathes” — also nominated for Best Documentary Feature — which tells the story of two brothers, Nadeem and Saud. They have devoted their lives to protect the black kite, a majestic bird of prey essential to Delhi’s ecosystem that has been falling from the sky at alarming rates, victims of the city’s pollution.
Directed by Delhi-based filmmaker Shaunak Sen, the documentary explores the connection between the kites and the Muslim brothers who help them return to the skies. It offers a mesmerizing chronicle of inter-species coexistence. In the run-up to the Oscars, “All That Breathes” — available on HBO — has won top prizes at major career-defining film festivals: the Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema Documentary at Sundance and the L’Œil d’Or (“Golden Eye”) Best Documentary award at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, the first film to take both those honors in a single year.
Both “All That Breathes” and “The Elephant Whisperers” focus on the intricately rooted connection between animals, man, and the disrupted ecosystem caused by man. But the films couldn’t be more different in treatment, visual style, and execution.
THE INDIAN WINNERS:
Best Original Song:
WINNER: M.M. Keeravani & Chandrabose, “Naatu Naatu,” RRR
Best Documentary Short
WINNER: The Elephant Whisperers
There was ‘Naatu Naatu’ — nominated for Best Original Song from the Telegu blockbuster motion picture “RRR” directed by S.S. Rajamouli. Since the film’s release last March, the centerpiece song and the complex and brilliantly choreographed dance have garnered a rabid global fan base never seen for an Indian film song and movie. ‘Naatu Naatu’s nominees, M.M. Keeravani (composer) and Chandrabose (lyricist), ingeniously synced the melody and lyrics with the choreography using a non-stop loop with the help of vocalist Kaala Bhairava. The song, which won the Golden Globe award for best original song, will be performed by Bhairava and co-singer Rahul Sipligunj live at the Oscars.
The winners from India at the Oscars focius on the rich diversity within India and speak of its multicultural representation. Keeravani and Chandrabose are from Andra Pradesh, Gonsalves from Tamil Nadu, Monga from Punjab, and Sen from Delhi but of Bengali heritage.
There was an overall excitement and genuine love around the Indian films at the Oscars this year. This was the beginning of mainstream optics for Indian storytelling as history has been made with three Indian films nominated for the Academy Awards for the first time in one year.
THE INDIAN WINNERS:
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
WINNER: M.M. Keeravani & Chandrabose, “Naatu Naatu,” RRR
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
WINNER: The Elephant Whisperers
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