THE STORY – In a Nepalese village nestled in the heart of a forest inhabited by wild elephants, Pirati, the matriarch of a Kinnar community, dreams of escaping to live with the man she loves. But when one of her daughters goes missing, she must investigate and choose between her desire for freedom and her responsibilities to her community.
THE CAST – Pushpa Thing Lama, Deepika Yadav, Jasmine Bishwokarma, Aliz Ghimire, & Dura Sanjay Gupta
THE TEAM – Abinash Bikram Shah (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 103 Minutes
Walking through fog is an inherently mysterious sensation. We find ourselves on the precipice of uncertainty as we approach its thick, dense atmosphere. But once we pass through, we feel a soothing level of clarity. Nepalese filmmaker Abinash Bikram Shah channels this energy with his directorial debut feature, “Elephants in the Fog,” an absorbing film that envelopes you in its quiet power. It’s a hearty, melancholic story about transgender women who lean on each other and yearn to dream in a settled village. With resonant themes of kinship and belonging, the film gently questions what happens when one loses their sense of identity in a community that helped shape it. While the unhurried pacing spirals into a rushed final act, the film stands out as a strong-willed portrait of collective courage. Told through simmering glances and meaningful rituals, Abinash Bikram Shah brings forth a refreshing and assured creative voice.
Nestled in a small Nepalese village where wild elephants roam the surrounding forest, a family of trans women has created a tranquil home out of their Kinnar community. Real-life Kinnar activist Pushpa Thing Lima plays Pirati, a matriarch figure who holds the dolls together in a warm but firm embrace. She embodies the role of mother to several trans daughters, including Apsara (Aliz Ghimire), the most unpredictable and carefree of the group. Yearning for true liberation, Apsara often strays from home to pursue her own form of self-expression, which clashes with the community’s strict rules. Following a hurtful confrontation with Pirati, Apsara suddenly vanishes during an elephant watch. The girl’s disappearance calls out contradictions in Pirati, who also yearns for freedom through a forbidden romance with a Drum Master (Aashant Sharma). Burdened by guilt, Pirati must choose between personal desire and a community she vowed to protect.
Much of the film’s runtime is dedicated to establishing the characters’ interpersonal connections, notably how their dreams and responsibilities intertwine. Pirati longs to see the land beyond the fog, where she can explore her innermost passions without judgment or societal restrictions. However, the very idea of her leaving the community sparks a wave of fear in Apsara, who needs the comforting guide of a motherly figure. Their respective character arcs serve as thoughtful avenues for exploring prominent themes, including motherhood and belonging.
The film morphs from a portrait of ritualistic community life to a thorny relationship drama to a whirlwind search-and-rescue thriller. These elements don’t always gel in the most coherent of ways. With some chapters naturally more engaging to watch than others, the momentum ebbs and flows. However, this structure gives way to standout developments, particularly with Apsara’s disappearance, moving the story into a stirring depiction of identity crises. The film also moves at a leisurely pace, immersing us in the characters’ inner dialogues and offering resonant reflections on their personalities. From the beginning, it feels as though we know these women and the unwavering strength of their community, no matter which obstacles stand in their way.
It takes a village to raise children, as Pirati’s character can attest to. She has welcomed many young trans women with open arms, holding them in a warm embrace and protecting them as best she can from transphobic villagers who roam the landscape, hurling targeted abuse. Lama’s performance is marked by immeasurable courage and calm, as well as a fierce readiness for confrontation if need be. A Kinnar activist in real life, she brings a compelling perspective and strength to the matriarch role. Also making her film performance debut, Lama radiates raw talent and undeniable screen presence. The film cleverly orbits around Pirati’s journey as having a gift for holding everyone together, while also yearning for her time to lead.
If a part of you is wondering about the elephants, they have a very minimal presence in this film. And yet, we consistently feel the presence of these beautiful creatures closing in on the community, also subtly reminding us of how vulnerable Nepal’s forests are. When the elephants ultimately reach the point of crossing into the village, it becomes a resonant focal point for the film’s impactful conclusion. The villagers, taught to put bright clothing on scarecrows to scare off elephants, are forced to confront their responsibility to protect this environment as a whole.
“Elephants in the Fog” may not offer the most in-depth approach to its complex subject matter, but, like the film’s protagonist, it shows an unwavering determination to help marginalized communities feel seen. Between the meditative storytelling, leisurely pacing, and a wonderfully introspective lead performance, it’s a rewarding film that shines a tender light on an underrepresented community.
