“An inspiring and unique documentary that will open up hearts and minds.”
-The Humane Society of the United States

The 10-time award-winning documentary, THE EYES OF THAILAND, narrated by Ashley Judd, about Soraida Salwala’s quest to help two elephant landmine survivors walk again on their own four legs, is now available for Private Screenings for your organization or group.

As a young girl, Soraida saw an injured elephant lying on the side of the road because it had been hit by a truck. In 1993, Soraida opened the World’s First Asian Elephant Hospital to treat elephants who were ill or injured from work, abuse or neglect. Six years later, they faced their most difficult challenge: how to save an adult elephant who stepped on a landmine.

A true story of sacrifice and perseverance, THE EYES OF THAILAND shows how far one woman will go to save an endangered species from threats above and below the surface. Soraida’s story is the perfect example of what happens when you Dream BIG. When you combine compassion, human ingenuity and determination, you can make the “impossible” possible.

The film illustrates Soraida Salwala’s “dedication, her insistence that elephants not be forgotten.”
-PopMatters

• Create an exciting and powerful event.
• Host your own THE EYES OF THAILAND private screening for your group.
• Include a Special Guest: the star/subject Soraida Salwala and/or the filmmakers!
• Be inspired. Dream BIG.

“World’s largest landmine survivors walk again with human help and ingenuity… The video… [is] an emotional tripwire.”
-TakePart.com

Please email Director/Producer Windy Borman or Producer Tim VandeSteeg for additional information or to book your Private Screening.

“I hope [the film] will raise awareness to protect Asian Elephants–and all beings–from the terror of land mines.”
-Ashley Judd

We look forward to helping you bring the powerful and inspirational THE EYES OF THAILAND to a group, organization or school near you!

D.V.A. Productions, in Association with Indiewood Pictures, is proud to announce the nationwide DVD release of “The Eyes of Thailand”. FilmWorks Entertainment distributes the film and DVD orders can be placed at http://eyesofthailand.com.

“The Eyes of Thailand” is directed/produced by Windy Borman and produced by Tim VandeSteeg. The 10-time award-winning documentary, narrated by Ashley Judd, tells the heartwarming and heroic true story of Soraida Salwala, a passionate woman who dedicated 10 years of her life to help two Asian elephants walk again after losing their legs from stepping on landmines.

“The Eyes of Thailand” was awarded the “ACE Documentary Film Grant” from The Humane Society of the United States, the “Best Documentary” Jury Award from the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, and “Best Documentary” Audience Award from Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival. Salwala received the “Best Heroine in a Wildlife Film” Award at the International Wildlife Film Festival and was nominated for the “People and Nature” Panda Award at the Wildscreen Festival. The film has also garnered Humanitarian, Green, Animal Advocacy and Animation awards since its film festival premiere in April 2012.

The elephant stars of the film have been capturing the hearts of people worldwide and were featured in National Geographic, Yahoo, Takepart.com, Huffington Post and IndieWire.

You can order your DVD today by clicking here.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact Name:  Windy Borman

Email: windy@dvaproductions.com

‘THE EYES OF THAILAND’ SETS SIGHTS FOR NORTHWEST PREMIERE AT THE PORT TOWNSEND FILM FESTIVAL

Ashley Judd narrates the eight-time award-winning film that has its roots in the Pacific Northwest.

SEATTLE, WA (September 17, 2012) – D.V.A. Productions, in Association with Indiewood Pictures, is proud to announce the Northwest Premiere of “The Eyes of Thailand” at the Port Townsend Film Festival (PTFF). The Film will screen Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 6:15pm at the Rose Theatre (Port Townsend, WA) and Sunday, September 23 at 12:30pm at the Uptown Theatre (Port Townsend, WA). Tickets are available at <http://www.ptfilmfest.com/>. Special guests include Director/Producer Windy Borman.

“The Eyes of Thailand” is directed/produced by Windy Borman and produced by Tim VandeSteeg. The 8-time award-winning documentary, narrated by Ashley Judd, tells the heartwarming and heroic true story of Soraida Salwala, a passionate woman who dedicated 10 years of her life to help two Asian elephants walk again after losing their legs from stepping on landmines.

Judd writes, “The Eyes of Thailand is a story of sacrifice and perseverance that shows how far one woman will go to save an endangered species from threats above and below the surface. I hope it will raise awareness to protect Asian Elephants—and all beings—from the terror of landmines.”

Borman began production on “The Eyes of Thailand” in November 2007, while traveling in Thailand with a Port Townsend theatre company, but when Borman met Salwala and the two elephant landmine survivors, the direction of the film changed.

“When I met Soraida, Mosha and Motala, I knew I discovered an untold story that I needed to share with the world. Witnessing Mosha and Motala take their first steps on their new prostheses was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I cannot wait to share it with the world–and especially the company members from Port Townsend,” said Borman.

“The Eyes of Thailand” was awarded the “ACE Documentary Film Grant” from The Humane Society of the United States and the “Best Documentary” Jury Award from the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival. Salwala received the “Best Heroine in a Wildlife Film” Award at the International Wildlife Film Festival. The film has also garnered Humanitarian, Green, Animal Advocacy and Animation awards since its World Premiere in April 2012.

The elephant stars of the film have been capturing the hearts of people worldwide and were featured in National Geographic, Yahoo, Takepart.com, Huffington Post and IndieWire.

The filmmakers have created a successful and loyal following through the film’s social media sites, including Facebook <www.facebook.com/eyesofthailand> and Twitter <www.twitter.com/eyesofthailand>, and the film’s website <www.eyesofthailand.com>.

For further inquiries, please contact: Windy Borman windy@dvaproductions.com

To help you show off your “Eyes of Thailand” spirit at our upcoming film festivals, we’ve launched a Facebook Store so you can pre-order your official “Eyes of Thailand” T-shirts and posters. The gear is in limited supply, so pre-order yours TODAY!

“Dream Big” T-Shirts: We love to see Democracy in action! Our Facebook Fans voted in August on their favorite T-shirt designs and here’s the winning look. The design features Motala and Baby Mosha on the front with our “Dream Big” slogan, and the title of the film on the back. Men’s, women’s and kid’s sizes available.

(c) Eyes of Thailand, LLC

Official Film Posters: Now you can bring home a bit of elephant history with an official poster for “The Eyes of Thailand”. Posters are unsigned and measure 24″ x 36″, exactly the same size we use at our film festival screenings!

(c) Eyes of Thailand, LLC. All rights reserved.

SPECIAL NOTES:

• If you selected a T-shirt or poster as part of a Donation Perk, you do NOT have to pre-order your gear. We already have you factored into the headcount.
• Posters and T-shirts will be mailed later this month.
• If you’re coming to a festival in September, we’ll have T-shirts on hand for cash purchase.
• Once we decide on a water bottle company, we’ll reveal the water bottle design and add them to the Facebook Store, too.

“The Eyes of Thailand” continues its award streak by receiving the Green Planet Award from FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival. The Green Planet Award is given to the film whose missions are “celebrating the vision of man’s shared humanity and achieving sustainability on our planet.”

“The Eyes of Thailand” tells the true and inspirational story of Soraida Salwala’s quest to help two elephant landmine survivors walk again. Treating their wounds was only part of the journey: building elephant-sized prostheses was another. The now 7-time award-winning film is directed/produced by Windy Borman, produced by Tim VandeSteeg and narrated by Ashley Judd.

The Green Planet Award was extra special for “The Eyes of Thailand” because it was announced on World Elephant Day.

To learn more about the film’s social and environmental goals, visit “The Eyes of Thailand” website.

Soriada Salwala’s love for elephant began early. When she was 8-years old, she saw an injured elephant lying helplessly on the side of the road. As her family drove past, they hear a gunshot. Her father explained, “Uncle Elephant is in heaven now”. “But if he was dying,” asked young Soraida, “why couldn’t he go to the hospital?” Flash forward several years and Soraida opened the World’s First Elephant Hospital to treat ill and injured elephants.

To date Soraida and her staff have treated over 3,500 Asian elephants for everything from eye infections, knife wounds, gunshot wounds and broken bones. However, their biggest challenge came in 1999 when an elephant landmine survivor, named Motala, arrived at FAE’s Elephant Hospital. Seven years later, a 7-month old calf named Mosha, arrived after she stepped on a landmine.

Soraida’s amazing 10-year journey to help these two elephant landmine survivors walk again on prostheses is chronicled in the award-winning, inspirational documentary, “The Eyes of Thailand”, narrated by Ashley Judd. The film is directed/produced by Windy Borman and produced by Tim VandeSteeg.

“The Eyes of Thailand” will have its East Coast Premiere at Flickers: Rhode Island International Film Festival on August 12, 2012 at 12:00pm. Coincidentally, August 12^th is the inaugural World Elephant Day.

Purchase tickets via: http://tinyurl.com/eotRIIFF

Invite your FaceBook friends to the event: http://www.facebook.com/events/379676615421360/

You can also find information and keep track of the film’s progress via the website, FaceBook and Twitter.

Boonmee, an elephant landmine survivor, has been at FAE's Elephant Hospital since her injury in 2010.

Facebook Group members were on high-alert last week as Soraida Salwala, the founder of FAE’s Elephant Hospital, posted updates and photos of Boonmee, an elephant landmine survivor who has been treated at FAE since her injury in 2010.

According to Soraida, “Over the years, Boonmee’s injuries slowly healed although the front right leg is still swollen. I planned to move her down to the infirmary next to Motala and all necessary preparation was made. However, when I returned to FAE (after 6 weeks away), Boonmee was in a poor state. Her right hind foot couldn’t carry her weight because the footpad was peeling off. She could barely move her body.”

Boonmee standing on the wet mattresses, which caused her footpad to peel off.

Soraida examined Boonmee and realized the “mattresses that she was standing on were soaking wet and I presume they were for quite sometime, as the water leaked the cover into the sponge. So all mattresses were removed and pLite rubber sheets are used instead. It works fine, Boonmee isn’t afraid to stand on them and moves a bit easier.”

However, the added moisture caused Boonmee’s footpad to peel off completely. They gave her painkillers daily in bananas, to try to avoid giving injections so she would not be more stressed, and continued to use TTouch and hot compression on her legs.

Soraida and Boonmee's keeper comfort her with TTouch

Because of her landmine injured front foot, Boonmee has not been able to lie down since 2010, but she previously had been able to sleep by leaning up against a post in her enclosure. However, her painful back foot was keeping her from sleeping.

“A few days before Boonmee was showing signs of restlessness and I was worried we might lose her soon,” Soraida said. Consequently, on the evening of June 25, 2012 FAE prepared a harness and hoist quickly to ease Boonmee’s weight and help her stand upright.

The next morning, Boonmee looks much healthier and rested, so the staff remove the chain support on the harness to enable her to walk around her enclosure.

We are happy to report that Boonmee’s health continues to improve and on June 29, Soraida shared on Facebook that “Boonmee slept better last night.. putting the weight on the harness and lifted her two front legs while leaning on her side to the main rail.”

Boonmee's appetite has returned and her leg is less painful so she can move around without the harness's support.

For more updated from Soraida and to see pictures of Boonmee and the other elephants featured in “The Eyes of Thailand” film, join the FAE Facebook Page.

Dearest “Ele-Friends”,

We are thrilled to announce that “The Eyes of Thailand” film has been accepted into four more film festivals.

Narrated by Ashley Judd, “The Eyes of Thailand” tells the true and inspirational story of one woman’s quest to help two elephant landmine survivors–Motala and Baby Mosha–walk again on their own four legs. Treating their wounds was only part of the journey; building elephant-sized prostheses was another.

“The Eyes of Thailand” continues its film festival screenings at the following festivals this summer and fall:

The Las Vegas International Film Festival

July 20, 2012 at 4:45pm at LVH Theatre

FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival

August 7-12, 2012

Port Townsend Film Festival

September 21-23, 2012

Wildscreen Festival

October 14-19, 2012

We are thrilled to announce that not only will Wildscreen be the U.K. Premiere for “The Eyes of Thailand”, but we are also one of only three (3) films nominated for a Panda Award in the “People and Nature” category.

Please mark your calendars and spread the word, as we would love to have as many “Ele-Friends” in the audience as possible to spread awareness about the plight of the Asian Elephant and the on-going threat of landmines. Krup kum ka!

-Windy Borman

Director/Producer, “The Eyes of Thailand”

The Elephant Community was a-twitter with questions prior to and following the recent screening of “The Eyes of Thailand” documentary at the Little Rock Film Festival.

“The Eyes of Thailand” tells the true and inspirational story of one woman’s quest to help two elephants walk again after losing their legs in landmine accidents. Treating their wounds was only part of the journey; building elephant-sized prosthetics was another.

When the Little Rock Film Festival learned that Jewell, an elephant at the Little Rock Zoo was fitted with a custom-built orthotic, they partnered with the Little Rock Zoo to host a special spotlight screening of “The Eyes of Thailand” for elephant lovers of all ages.

According to Susan Altrui at the Little Rock Zoo, Jewell, a 60-year old Asian elephant who retired from the circus, has been living at the Little Rock Zoo since last year. Susan writes, “ At the age of 60, Jewell’s joints aren’t as limber as they used to be and she was walking on the back side of her right front foot, causing the skin to wear. Fearful that this could lead to more serious problems, the [elephant] keeper staff decided to be proactive” and contacted Snell Prosthetics and Orthotics Laboratory about creating a custom boot to help her walk without pain.

Jewell tests her new orthotic built by Snell Prosthetics and Orthotics Laborties. (Copyright: Snell)

Snell worked with the Little Rock Zoo staff to make the custom boot, using seatbelt straps and other materials, which allow the boot to breathe and also provide stability for Jewell as she walks.

Melissa Snell writes, “This was truly a collaborative effort between the zoo staff, the keepers, and our orthotists and technicians. While we at Snell Prosthetic and Orthotic Laboratory had the technical skills and knowledge of how to build a shoe that would meet Jewell’s medical needs, we needed the input of the keepers to know what would work best for an animal of Jewell’s size and capabilities.”

Director/Producer Windy Borman met Jewell and her keepers at the pre-screening elephant talk.  Jewell wore her orthotic boot as she strolled in her large, earth enclosure and she looked quite content with her orthotic.

Ms. Altrui shares that Jewell wears the boot for a few hours each day, and as a result, keepers have seen a remarkable improvement in her foot.

Jewell wears her orthotic several hours a day and her elephant keepers have noticed an improvement in her foot. (Copyright: Little Rock Zoo).

Dear “Ele-Friends”,

We received a public tweet from a fellow elephant lover today that I felt deserved a public response. I have replied to her directly, but I think it’s a worthy conversation for the Elephant Community at large, so I have posted it here as an open letter. We look forward to hearing your comments and if you can join us at the Little Rock Film Festival on either May 30th or June 1st, please give us an “Ele-Friend” shout out.

——————————————————-

Hi, Cora,

I saw your tweet and I just want to clarify that the Little Rock Film Festival selected “The Eyes of Thailand” and they worked with the Little Rock Zoo to host one of two screenings of “The Eyes of Thailand” during the festival.

As a filmmaker, one of my jobs is to ensure that the film reaches the broadest audience possible. Hence, this is why we have submitted to several film festivals around the United States and the world. Once they select us, they decide our screening locations and times, and if they want to partner with sponsors or partners for screenings.

I personally know that the zoos vs. sanctuaries debate is ripe with “elephant politics”, enough to fill several Elephant Summits, however one of the mission’s of the “The Eyes of Thailand” film is to start the much needed conversations about protecting Asian elephants in their native countries. This, of course, spills over into how Asian elephants are treated in their non-native countries, but that is a secondary conversation because the film is neither pro-zoo or anti-zoo. It is pro-Thai Asian Elephants and pro-FAE’s Elephant Hospital.

On a side note, as activists, I think it is dangerous if we only speak to the people that are already on our side because we won’t make very much progress that way. I believe we need to speak with the unenlightened and the neutral people, too, if we want to make real, significant changes.

At the end of the day, though, “The Eyes of Thailand” is the courageous story about one woman’s quest to help two elephant land mine survivors walk again. I hope it speaks to animal lovers, humanitarians, and environmentalists, as well as the general public, but it is a story and a conversation-starter.

Thank you for starting this conversation about how Asian elephants are treated in the U.S. and I hope we can all work together to improve their lives, no matter where the Asian elephants live.

Sincerely,

Windy Borman

Director/Producer, “The Eyes of Thailand”