Happy Valentine’s Day, “Ele-Friends”!

I am pleased to announce another way for you to help us save elephants. Artist Greg Hetrick has graciously decided to donate 75% of the print sales of “Tearful Relief” (above) to “The Eyes of Thailand” IndieGoGo Fundraising Campaign.

The prints are available on Etsy and come in three (3) sizes: 5×7, 8×10 and 13 x 19. Some of them also include extra “perks” from “The Eyes of Thailand” film:

• The 8×10 includes a handwritten note on the Film’s postcard from the filmmaker.
• The 13×19 includes one (1) DVD or digital download of “The Eyes of Thailand” (when available) + a handwritten note on the Film’s postcard from the filmmaker.

This offer is only valid through February 29, 2012. To purchase a “Tearful Relief” print and claim the perks above, visit Greg’s Etsy site.

About the Artist:

Originally from Colorado, Greg relocated to the east coast after college. There he developed a love for the sea and developed a close association with nature and animals.

“I painted ‘Tearful Relief’ after watching the trailer for ‘The Eyes of Thailand’ documentary,” writes Greg. “There is a moment when an elephant named Motala” arrives at the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Hospital after stepping on a landmine, and she “is consoled by the Hospital founder, Soraida Salwala. In this poignant scene, Motala is crying. I found myself wondering what type of tears… Motala was offering. Were they tears of sadness, or of pain? As I watched I came to the conclusion Motala cried tears of relief, understanding she was in a place that would care for her and help her heal.”

This piece “not only captures a moment of film where the relationship and impact of man on the natural world can be clearly identified, but, to me, it also serves as a reminder of the responsibility we must assume for our actions. ‘The Eyes of Thailand’ is an important film in raising awareness of the indiscriminate violence landmines pose and the healing work at the Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital.”

About The Film — “The Eyes of Thailand”

D.V.A. Productions, in Association with Indiewood Pictures, is currently producing the powerful and award-winning documentary “The Eyes of Thailand“. After losing their legs from stepping on a landmine, two elephant survivors are given a second chance to walk again.  “The Eyes of Thailand” is a touching and eye-opening story of sacrifice and perseverance against all odds to make a positive difference in the lives of others.   The Film is Directed and Produced by Windy Borman and Produced by award-winning producer Tim VandeSteeg. Currently, the film is in post-production and on schedule to be completed in March.

If you’d like to support “The Eyes of Thailand” and learn more, please visit our IndieGoGo campaign, where you can watch the trailer, share it with your network and make a tax-deductible donation to the film in exchange for some amazing donation “perks”.

Artwork Specifications:
Giclee Print using archival ink and paper
Framing can be provided at an additional cost
Shipping will be provided via United Postal Service.

Happy Valentine’s Day, “Ele-Friends”!

I am pleased to announce that we recieved our 1,900th Facebook Fan last night, which means we can reveal more still frames of the film’s animations. All the animations were done by the amazingly talented Tahnee Gehm and will appear in the final cut of “The Eyes of Thailand” documentary. (To see the previously released “sneak peek” animation stills, click here). Enjoy!

Motala's mahout comforts her after she steps on a landmine.

Baby Mosha is injured by a landmine.

Soraida welcomes Baby Mosha to FAE's Elephant Hospital

Soraida Salwala protests elephant exports in Thailand.

A departure from the Thai shadow puppet aesthetc, this animation shows elephant weight distribution and the importance of building an elephant-sized prosthesis for Baby Mosha.

A blue-print style animation shows the steps involved with building a prosthesis.

In January I attended the Sundance Film Festival with “The D Word: Understanding Dyslexia”, another documentary I produced. It was very exciting, to say the least, to be at an internationally renowned film festival and I am happy to announce that the film will appear on HBO in October.

Last week was full of celebration and networking, and I made some powerful and inspiring connections that will be fruitful for “The Eyes of Thailand” once we complete the film this spring. This week we are keeping up the momentum by pushing “The Eyes of Thailand” forward.

In December, we launched our IndieGoGo donation campaign for individuals who would like to be a part of our inspiring and award-winning documentary by making a small donation to “The Eyes of Thailand” film.

This our LAST IndieGoGo campaign for “The Eyes of Thailand”. The last opportunity to raise $17,500 to complete the film, the last chance to claim your donation perks, pre-reserve your DVDs and posters, and your last chance to get your name in the film’s credits.

Your donations of $10, $30 and up are greatly appreciated, and can be made between today and February 28th. In return, donors will receive some very cool “perks” (think of “perks” as cool gifts).

For example, with a $100 Donation, YOU will receive:

1. IMDB Film Credit (that’s right, you would get listed in the film’s ending credits under “Thank Yous”)
2. Personal THANK YOU and Shout Out from me (the Director)
3. DVD or digital download of “The Eyes of Thailand” film & the Film’s Score (when available)
4. Official poster signed by Filmmaker

Plus, your donation is 100% Tax-deductible and 15% goes directly to the FAE Elephant Hospital in Thailand.

Watch the powerful and inspiring trailer, learn more about the campaign and how to donate at: <http://tinyurl.com/TheEyesofThailandMovement>

If you have already donated, please consider donating again, even if it’s $10. It may not seem like much to you, but $10 donations add up quickly and they give us an opportunity to announce our progress online and keep the buzz up.

Another way to help keep our momentum going is sharing the link with your friends and networks and encouraging them to join you in donating to the film.

I hope you will join us and show your support by being a part of “THE EYES OF THAILAND“ and making a small donation today.

With gratitude,

Windy Borman

Director/Producer, “The Eyes of Thailand”

Congratulations, Susan Allsbrook! Susan won the Free Trip for 2 in Thailand from Intrepid Travel.

The Trip: Northern Thailand is among the greatest adventure destinations on the planet and this journey reveals why: hiking among hill tribes, sailing its rivers, and calling into friendly and colorful villages along the way. This 15-day journey will take her from the chaotic streets of Bangkok to the serene countryside and offer a glimpse into this fascinating country. Plus, during her adventure, Susan will visit the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Hospital and meet Motala and Mosha, two of the elephants featured in “The Eyes of Thailand” documentary.

As promised, ALL DONORS WHO SELECTED THIS PERK WILL GET TO CHOOSE BETWEEN AN “EYES OF THAILAND” POSTER, T-SHIRT OR WATER BOTTLE. You will receive an email within the week to select your preference.
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Salee, losing her mind to her altered nervous system. Testing in progress. (Photo credit: Michael Wysocki).

By Michael Wysocki

We, as in all species, need our personal “sanctuary,” our peaceful place that we find even inside our aggressive yet stimulating cities. A place either by ourselves, or that we share with someone special. My sanctuary in New York City was the Harlem River, in Los Angeles its Venice Beach. You should know, FAE is not an Elephant Sanctuary, it is a Hospital.

There are a few blessed Elephants that can safely call FAE home; including Motala, Mosha, Ekhe, Auan, and just recently Bobo, that will live out their lives here in the giving hands of FAE staff, down the hill somewhat sheltered from the drama above. As for the rest of the Elephants, their days are full of syringes, injections, antiseptic soaks, enemas, and many other medical practices; balanced out with treats, cleanliness, and affection.

I made my way to Chiang Mai this past week to renew my visa, so I thought. I ended up having to make my way to Burma for a last minute “border run.” Yes it sounds fun, and is; even after four different bus rides. My time in Chiang Mai became a part of my journey to learn more, and I became reassured by my God that he is behind me. I experienced what a tourist would face as I wandered the streets of the old city, seduced by many attractions but refusing the most prominent, Elephant Trekking, “The ultimate jungle experience.” I stopped and read out of curiosity, gazing into the eyes of the Elephants. It was then I knew how different Soraida’s mission for FAE was from other Elephant camps here in Thailand, whether it be Trekking, Shows, or even Conservation Parks.
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Trilogy at The Vineyards presents
Meet the Filmmaker: An Afternoon with Windy Borman, Director of “The Eyes of Thailand”

Join us on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 2:00pm as we welcome the filmmakers of “The Eyes of Thailand“, a feature-length documentary directed and produced by Windy Borman and produced by award-winning producer Tim VandeSteeg.

“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 on their own four legs. Treating their wounds was only part of the journey; building elephant-sized prostheses was another. Told in the style of “The Cove” (2009), “Born into Brothels” (2004) and “Gorillas in the Mist” (1988), “The Eyes of Thailand” is a touching and uplifting story of how far one woman will go to ease the suffering of an endangered species.

Windy will share production stories from the field, updates on the elephants at the Elephant Hospital in Thailand, as well as share an exclusive never-before-seen “Sneak Peek” of a clip of “The Eyes of Thailand” before it’s released in 2012.

All attendees will receive a complimentary glass of wine.

Donations will be accepted after the presentation and all donations are tax-deductible when made via check or through the Film’s IndieGoGo online fundraising campaign. Donation Perks include: posters, T-shirts, artisan chocolates, fine art, invitations to the Film’s Sneak Peeks, a private screening with the Filmmaker for you and 25 friends–even a chance to Win a FREE 15-day Trip for 2 in Thailand. For more information, please visit: http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Eyes-of-Thailand-Film

Please RSVP by:
Calling the Concierge Desk 925.809.7180 OR
Emailing michelle.medina@trilogyresortliving.com

Soraida Salwala supervises as the staff at FAE try to help Thongbai stand up. (Photo credit: Michael Wysocki).

By Michael Wysocki

The laws of nature rarely show mercy, but today here at FAE hospital we escaped death. This morning I woke up the moment the first sunray showered my face. Instead of laying and just being for a bit like most mornings, I instinctively got up, threw on my favorite orange uniform, and grabbed my camera. Between the foliage and the topography of this place, I learned in order to find my friends I must listen not look, and as I picked up their voices I knew, they were with Thongbai. He is our 45-year old male patient, blind in his right eye, skinny, weak, came to us about a week ago for the treatment of an abscess on his back from the equipment he carries as a life long logging Elephant.
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Founder Charles Knowles kicked off the 10^th Annual Wildlife Conservation Expo with some humor, but then got straight to the point: One out of every 1,000 species are going extinct every year.

“It’s a man-made problem,” said Knowles, “so we need a man-made solution.”

Which is exactly why hundreds, consisting of scientists, conservationists and wildlife supporters, gathered in San Francisco, CA: to find solutions to the rapid decline of wildlife around the world.

Next, Dr. Colleen Begg of the Niassa Lion Project shared a proverb from Mozambique: “You can’t dance well on one leg”. While she was speaking of the synergy and creative problem solving that happens when groups of committed people get together, I couldn’t help but see the connections to Motala and Baby Mosha, two elephant landmine survivors featured in “The Eyes of Thailand” documentary. You can’t dance well on one leg or three legs. I thought. Elephants need all four!
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Thongbai, a 45-year old elephant with wounds from hauling logs, is treated at FAE's Elephant Hospital. (Photo credit: Michael Wysocki).

by Michael Wysocki

You and I have chosen to care and be a part of a pure thing in this world, but no living creature is exempt from the wrath of Man’s greed.

Soraida works very hard to protect the FAE hospital, and anyone and any Elephant within it, from the corrupt, cruel, and judgmental realities of this world. But with the rains back and the trucks arriving with new patients, we are totally submersed into it. Thankful as I am, Soraida knows that without major change and cooperation from the government this will always be, until the elephants no longer exist.  She travels back and forth to Bangkok immersing herself amongst the tough and powerful politicians, speaking her voice without flinching.

I sense that Thailand, as other countries have before it, has reached a critical point to either protect its environment, which includes the human population, by protecting the forest and its inhabitants; or finish her off for some quick cash. Thailand can be a misleading place, almost like an illusion. My train ride from the south to north was full of natural beauty of what appears to be virgin tropical jungle, in my mind teaming with wildlife such as Tigers, Sun bears, Monkeys and Elephants. I was thrilled with even just the slight chance of spotting one of these species as I stared for hours out the window.  I actually knew that this was just me, again in my fantasy world, but I have always dreamed of that world and I refused to let it go, as does Soraida. There is still hope for Thailand; not only do the laws have to be changed, but they also have to be honored.
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