大象传媒

For the first time ever, cameras are being allowed into an extraordinary community in this film, which is part of the Our Lives series. There are some unusual road signs on the approach to a valley in Carmarthenshire that warn drivers to slow down as elephants may be crossing on the road ahead. These elephants roam the countryside and are not the only surprise in this Welsh valley known as Skanda Vale. Skanda Vale is an Ashram, a place of pilgrimage where people from different backgrounds and faiths can visit, live, work and worship together in the four beautiful temples. Sister Ally and Brother Stefan are amongst the 25 multi-faith monks and nuns living in the Ashram who have taken lifelong vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The brothers and sisters come from a range of backgrounds and have decided to give up possessions and romantic relationships to devote themselves to a life of service to their community and to care for all people and all life.

Brother Stefan is dedicated to caring for the temple elephants Valli and Lakshmi, giving them almost around-the-clock attention, from daily walks in the forest to weekly baths and regular treats of watermelon and bananas. Sister Ally spends much of her time caring for patients who attend a unique hospice founded by the guru of Skanda Vale and run mainly by local volunteers.

The film interweaves the stories of the monks and nuns at the Ashram with the patients at the hospice as they prepare to take the patients for an unforgettable trip to meet Valli and Lakshmi. The elephant encounters are fun-filled and moving in equal measure. Patients can feed, hug and even receive a blessing (which involves being patted on the head with a trunk!) from these majestic and sacred animals.