"The Elephant Odyssey," an upcoming documentary film, will chronicle the epic journey of the wandering Asian elephants that captivated viewers around the world in 2020 as they roamed across Yunnan province, China. Filmed in the region's breathtaking landscapes, the film promises to offer a rare glimpse into the elephants' natural habitat.

A photo captures the wandering elephants in Yunnan, China. [Photo courtesy of Yunnan Forestry and Grassland Administration]

The film is an international collaboration involving IMAX Corporation, Beach House Pictures, and China Review Studio of China International Communications Group (CICG). The project, now in production, was announced on Monday in association with Foreign Languages Press and Lucent Pictures.

With renowned director and cinematographer Alice Gu at the helm and Clair Popkin serving as the director of photography, the film is shot with IMAX-certified cameras and will feature exclusive footage of the elephants' 18-month journey.

"The documentary is a deep exploration that goes beyond the fascinating journey of the Asian elephants migrating north and south, revealing previously untold, touching stories. We look forward to bringing this distinctive Chinese story to audiences worldwide, in collaboration with IMAX and Beach House Pictures," said Chen Fang, director of China Review Studio, CICG.

The film seeks to delve into the complex relationship between humans and elephants, offering a fresh perspective on the awe-inspiring march of these majestic creatures— known as Dá in the local Wa dialect — across Yunnan.

It captures the events that began in March 2020, when 16 wild Asian elephants ventured out of their habitat in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve. For 18 months, the elephants embarked on a riveting journey covering over 1,000 kilometers. The odyssey included impromptu village feasts, riotous raids on grain stores, messy mud fights, and even the birth of a baby elephant en route. The Yunnan elephants captivated people in China and worldwide, reaching millions of viewers through a 24-hour live stream featuring breathtaking drone footage.

"The 18-month journey of the Yunnan elephants at the height of the pandemic was a hopeful antidote to the lockdowns many of us were enduring," stated John Turner, IMAX's head of documentaries. "We wanted to know more about these animals and why it happened. This will be an immersive wildlife documentary like no other."

"Telling great stories has always been a core part of IMAX's DNA, and we're thrilled to bring this fascinating story from China to the world," added Daniel Manwaring, CEO of IMAX China. 

Donovan Chan, creative director of Beach House Pictures, noted, "This is a prime example of the premium Asia-to-the-World collaborations that Beach House Pictures excel at, and we are proud to be making our first IMAX film with China Review Studio. I have no doubt that the incredible elephants and people we will meet and the stunning places we will uncover will surprise and delight audiences, and inspire us to do more to repair and protect our fragile relationship with Mother Nature."

The 90-minute documentary is set for global IMAX release in 2024.

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