One Lucky Elephant

“I had no idea what I was getting into,” says modern-day circus ringmaster David Balding about his prized possession, Flora the Elephant—the longtime star of Balding's St. Louis–based Circus Flora. How a person could think that raising, caring for, and training an African elephant would be anything other than a colossal challenge is anyone's guess; but we do learn that ever since Flora was 2, Balding has relied on her to be the center attraction at his old-timey big-top show. With footage shot over the course of nearly 10 years, director Lisa Leeman delves into the rocky relationship between Balding and his seemingly benign beast. After 16 years in the big top, Flora just isn't as excited about performing anymore. But what to do with a huge pachyderm who is past her prime? This becomes the dilemma at the heart of this documentary, told largely through interviews with Balding, his wife, and others. Flora is put into a few different environments, including an elephant sanctuary, but is subject to violent outbursts when she can't adjust. Is her difficulty simply one of missing her trusted trainer, or are there deeper psychological explanations that stem from earlier traumas? Leeman probes further into animal psychology, while also examining the often harmful results of obsessive (and possessive) human behavior and the ultimate folly of attempting to humanize and civilize potentially destructive creatures. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Sandlin)