Elephants in the Fog
The matriarch of a Nepalese trans community walks a fine line between freedom and responsibility when one of her protégés goes missing. Is it wild elephants or men that lurk in the forests surrounding the village?
Pirati and her protégés have made their home in a small foggy village in Nepal, where attacks by wild elephants are a common occurrence. The respected matriarch of the local Kinnar community of transgender women, Pirati’s leadership is both strict and loving. There are rules to the Kinnar community: its members must abstain from romantic relationships and mind-altering substances. Their job is to perform blessings for the locals and earn their living by dancing at weddings and other festivities. Although her community is important to her, Pirati’s heart is elsewhere, causing constant discord within the community. One day, one of Pirati’s protégés goes missing, and she has to choose between finding out what happened and putting herself in danger or leaving the community altogether.
Elephants in the Fog is the debut feature of writer-director Abinash Bikram Shah. The film premiered at Cannes, where it deservedly won the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section. Despite its heavy themes like discrimination, the at times disquieting elements assemble into a tender and cohesive whole, centred on Pirati and her community. In addition to powerful storytelling and a frenzied lead performance from first-timer Pushpa Thing Lama, the film features breathtaking scenery that stays with the viewer for a long time.
Santtu Nikula (translated by Adrian Murtomäki)
Screenings
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Kinopalatsi 2Tue 22.9. at 16.30–18.18108 min, 1/3
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Kino ReginaWed 23.9. at 20.45–22.33108 min, 2/3
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Kino Engel 2Sun 27.9. at 18.00–19.48108 min, 3/3