Heartwarming rescue tale shows animal abuse horrors
Ashley Bell would seem to be among the unlikeliest to make an important documentary on the plight of Asian elephants. But the actress known for “The Last Exorcism” low-budget horror films calls attention to a real-life horror story with her simple but emotional and effective “Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story.”
And a scary movie it is. You will not see the disclaimer “no animals were harmed in the making of this film,” because Bell wants to show us what real animal abuse looks like — she films the cruelty of the “Crush Box,” a small wooden cage where baby elephants separated from their mothers are beaten and tortured to break their spirit, a common practice.
But it is ultimately heartwarming, as she focuses her film on the rescue of a single elephant by one rather amazing Thai woman.
The elephant is Noi Na, a 70-year-old partially blind female who has been abused for decades, forced to spend long hours seven days a week giving tourists rides. Her rescuer is Lek Chailert, who has made it her life’s work — at great personal cost — to rescue elephants and to promote animal rights.
Chailert became a national figure in Thailand when she was declared an enemy of the state by the Thai government because of her criticism of policies that protect the elephants’ abusers — typically logging companies that force elephants to move heavy timber, and elephant farms that train them to give tourists rides and perform in shows. As a result, her family disowned her.
However, when her work became internationally feted by Time magazine, which named her a Hero of Asia, and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who hosted her at the White House, the Thai government suddenly embraced her. Funny how that works.
Chailert’s biggest legacy is her foundation and her Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary where rescued elephants are freed, cared for and allowed to roam. It is here where Noi Na is to spend her final years — if she can make it there. The suspenseful portion of “Love & Bananas” is the delicate, dangerous process of transporting a resistant elephant 500 miles in a truck.
Chailert gives “Love & Bananas” humanity, but Bell’s personality and enthusiasm is contagious, inviting us into the film. We root right along with her.
Note: Director Ashley Bell and subject Lek Chailert and other special guests will appear in person at the following screenings: 7 p.m. Friday, May 25, and 3:15 p.m. Monday, May 28, at the Rialto Cinemas Elmwood in Berkeley; 4:45 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco; 4:15 p.m. Sunday, May 27, at the Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael; and 7:15 p.m. Sunday, May 27, at the Rialto Cinemas Sebastopol.