MovieChat Forums > Duma (2005) Discussion > our Cheetahs thank you

our Cheetahs thank you

posted 18 years ago by ndlovu8
83 replies | jump to latest

We supplied the cheetahs for Duma and my son was one of the team that handled all the cheetahs and bushbabies. I worked the lions. After all the hard work everyone put into the 5 months of prep and 4 months of travel and shooting, we were all so bitterly disappointed by the treatment that the film received from Warners (prompted by the failure of their 'Two Brothers' tiger film). It really is good to read the comments here and to know that people are getting to see the film in some Art house theatres and on DVD - and that families are enjoying Carroll's film. We really had high hopes for the project, maybe it will get 'cult status' and go on and on entertaining people. thanks to all for the support of this great little film.

Jim Stockley
South Africa

[–] Torian06 17 years ago

* * * Oh, I've just been into another thread at the top of the list on this board with the title Amazing movie . . . by olympia 84 before coming to this one, and got pleasantly surprised to read the OPr was directly involved with the cheetahs in Duma. What I have posted in that first thread is no different from what the others has posted here and am very delighted to find I share the same sentiments with a lot of people about this movie.
I bought the DVD just first week of Feb and have watched it over and over with the family. Then bought another one for a nephew who came for a visit this March and love it so much, I was lucky the video store has one last copy left and the sales clerk told me they've already ordered some more since they got standing orders from customers. I don't remember Duma ever being shown on the big screen here in my place, but we're very thankful just the same for the DVD version. It's really a beautiful, wonderful movie.
* * * I'm sorry for that woman in Olmense, but people should keep in mind that animals have some kind of boundaries that should be observed especially if one is a stranger to them. Whatever came into her mind that she should expose herself deliberately to danger.
* * * I don't think that the tragic incident has a negative bearing on the film since Duma was raised by a human family. Thank you Mr. Jim Stockley and Director Carroll Ballard and all those involved with this precious gem of a film that is Duma.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Truth has an inscrutable,inexorable way of seeking out and revealing Itself into the Light.

[–] Bluewine 17 years ago

HI, i SAW THE MOVIE THE OTHER DAY, IN INDIA, ON HBO, I THINK IT WAS AN AWESOME MOVIE..IT DESERVED TO GET A RELEASE, WHAT A SHAME.. THAT DISTRIBUTORS DON'T PICK UP FAMIY FILMS LIKE DUMA, THEY SHOULD CHECK THIS MESSAGE BOARD... IT WAS BRILIANTLY SHOT... AND DIRECTED... THE PERFORMANCES BY CHEETAHAS AND THE CHILD WERE GREAT.. JIM WHY DON'T YOU START A BLOG FEATURING YOUR CHEETAHS, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO INTERACT, IN FACT WE DO A LOT OF ADS AROUND AFRICA, AND I KNOW LOT OF AD PEOPLE IN KENYA, IF YOU HAVE A EMAIL ID, PLEASE DO GIVE ME.

[–] ndlovu8 17 years ago

Thanks for the kind words. Glad it made it to India and that you all enjoyed it!
A blog is an idea but it would take up a huge amount of time (that I don't have)to do properly. You'll see our email address on our webpage at stockley.co.za

I saw your kind words over at 'Classic Films' as well,Thanks again. It would be a hoot if Carroll's film became a 'cult classic' !

[–] knapster2005 17 years ago

It is now showing on HBO Family in the US. I am sure this beautiful film will have a huge following.

I would like to know if the cats got to know the actors prior to filming. When they are in the desert, "Duma" lays down with Xan and puts his paw on him. It was just so touching. Were the cats "acting" or were they just genuinely affectionate towards the little boy?

Thank you in advance for the answer, from a family that thoroughly enjoyed this film!

[–] ndlovu8 17 years ago

So glad you liked the film. Alex Michaletos, who plays Xan, grew up with his own cheetahs on his family farm in Gauteng, so he was very comfortable with all the cheetahs and they with him. Over time the bond developed and Carroll managed to capture that on film. What you were seeing was genuine affection.

kind regards

Jim

[–] AngDuke 17 years ago

Wow! I just watched Duma today. Received it from Netflix around 3 weeks ago and wasn't sure if I ordered it or my son ordered it. So it just sat there. Anyway, turned on the DVD player this evening while on the treadmill, put in Duma and was mesmorized after 5 minutes. Who knew this would be such an incredible and touching film? While watching it, my son kept hearing me make comments throughout the movie. He said he never saw me react that way to any other movie I have watched. Maybe I loved the movie even more because I have two Ocicats and Duma so reminded me of them. Too bad the movie did not get the exposure necessary. I will definitely get the word out about the movie. Couldn't help but cry at the end. Beautiful movie!!

Thank you!

Angela

[–] arunavdey 17 years ago

I just watched this movie on HBO, and I think its a wonderful film. I thank you and your sons for your fabulous work.

[–] ndlovu8 17 years ago

you are most welcome ;-)
our spotty kids say the same !

[–] kingpayam 17 years ago

I normally come on these forums to read, not post, but this movie was so spectacular that I had to let the people behind it know they did a wonderful job. I live in Texas in the U.S. and it's building a following of fans here. All of my friends have seen it because of HBO and we love it.

I have a question, are your cheetahs as friendly as they look on screen? I'd never seen the softer side of them and thought they were all wild. It's so great to see another side to them.

-Payam

[–] ndlovu8 17 years ago

Thank you for the kind words ;-)

Yes they are both very friendly and affectionate and fun to have around. They purr and enjoy attention. That said, we still treat them with the respect they deserve. It's not like how careful we have to be when around our lions but we are still mindful of the things that the boys like and dislike and always give them room to walk away if they don't feel like being fussed with? I'm quite comfortable to doze off if I'm reading a book or magazine in their enclosure and will usually be woken with a start by a loud purring just over my head. They are very special animals ... most hand-raised cheetahs are.

kind regards

Jim

[–] skulk-2 17 years ago

I believe this is a masterpiece about the relation between humans and wild animals...
I just love the movie! And really wanting to make a gap year in wild africa and work with wild animals ;)

[–] muziktones 17 years ago

Great movie. Nice and refreshing to be able to watch a movie with my kids and know that they won't be bombarded with the typical hollywood garbage.

Lou

[–] bhensgen1 17 years ago

Mr. Stockley, I just saw "Duma" on TV -- an HBO station if I recall. I really enjoyed it. It was the first time I had seen so much and such great footage of cheetahs. What beautiful animals. Thanks for making the film possible!! Bud Hensgen, Arlington, VA

[–] ndlovu8 17 years ago

Hi Bud,
Thanks for the kind words, very glad you enjoyed it.
I can't really take the credit that you generously offer ..... it was a huge team effort, superbly led by Carroll Ballard and Doug Claybourne and a really great crew including my son Jamie.
kind regards
Jim

[–] Julykid72 17 years ago

Mr. Stockley,

Thank you so much for taking the time to come here and read what Duma fans around the world have to say!

Ever since I was little the cheetah was my favorite animal. I've always wanted to work with cheetahs and made up my mind at an early age to become a cheetah keeper at a zoo. While I still strive towards that goal, I've been finding it hard to keep my spirits high about it because I have such a slim chance of getting to work with these amazing animals. Searching for internships with cheetahs is very frustrating and difficult.

But seeing Duma rekindled a bit of that fire in me and lit up my spirit. Seeing that movie reminded me of everything I was working towards. The companionship between Xan and Duma made me remember what I was searching for as a career with Cheetahs.

Thank you for your wonderful work and the hard work of the rest of the crew!

[–] cigil 16 years ago

just wanted to say what a fantastic movie! Cant believe it didnt get a proper run in the cinema.

I had planned a busy day today but this movie came on tv and put an end to that. The script was good and the scenery amazing and the interaction between the cheetahs and actors looked so natural. The boy looked so comfortable acting with the cheetahs. Did this require much work with the actors to get them that comfortable and where they as comfortable off camera? How many cheetahs were used?

[–] ndlovu8 16 years ago

yep, a real shame it didn't get a chance........ but so glad you liked it ;-)

Alex (Xan) grew up around cheetahs so he really was very comfortable around animals. The rest of the cast took confidence from him and the general good nature of the animals. It was a long shoot and there was plenty of time to familiarise everyone.

We used four cheetahs for the main filming.... our two older boys, Sasha and Azarro, did most of the work whilst two younger males (now fully grown adults), Nikita and Savanna, did some of the specialised work (eg:on the raft, snarling, re-unions).

It's a shame that such a great family movie didn't get wider exposure?

best wishes

Jim

[–] Tuskynwolf 16 years ago

I just recently saw this film on DVD and loved it! The story really tugged at my emotions and warmed my heart. I could only dream of being that close to such beautiful animals. South Africa must be a wonderful place to live. Was your Cheetah briefly in the film Narnia? Thanks Jim for staying active here in the forum. It's nice to see this film hasn't been forgotten.
-David

[–] js114 16 years ago

Hello David,

No, not in any of the Narnia films. Originally there was talk of using live cheetah, lion and wolf for 'Lion,Witch and Wardrobe'but the vet import restrictions into New Zealand proved too difficult and they ended up with mostly CGI.

I keep coming back to this board because I'm amazed at how often people see 'Duma' and then feel the urge to visit and comment. It was such a disappointment to all of us that it never got a wider first screening in theatres. We were all sure that it was going to be a very popular film. I think it is a sad comment on our entertainment industry that quality family films like Duma don't get studio support whilst the more mindless, toilet-humour laden drivel is given wide release and well advertised? I suppose we get the films we deserve.

South Africa is certainly an interesting place to live! ;-)

[–] bitcetc 15 years ago

Jim:
Sad but true, movies are also an art form, and art can be completely underappreciated in one generation but discovered in another. Van Gogh sold one painting in his lifetime. John Kennedy Toole had departed from this life before his book sold. That's not much comfort in an industry which worships box office receipts and instant gratification, but it's ever true of art. I don't know enough movie history to know of undiscovered gems that have become staples, but I am sure there are some. An artist is defined by that need to create art.

Duma was made by artists, and it's appreciated by a very grateful crowd who took the trouble to seek it out. A review of it by Roger Ebert, who said that it would be hard to find because it was not being supported by the studios, prompted me to seek it out, and to buy it so that I could show it to others. You've made a work of art. I am sorry that it didn't become a widespread children's classic and a blockbuster, because it deserved to be, but I think you have to be satisfied, first and foremost, with your work. And your work is, little by little, finding its audience.

I loved it. I'm a teacher, and I use it as an example to some of my students, and they seek it out. It could be slow as the Grand Canyon, but I think over time it will continue to gain an audience. Thank you for making it.

[–] ndlovu8 15 years ago

Thank you for those kind words, it really is great that people appreciate 'Duma'. I wish for Carroll Ballard's sake it had been better received. He can be a cantankerous old devil but I think he really is an artist. It was wonderful watching him work, watching him compose each frame. We just did what he told us, he deserves full credit.

A little good fortune wouldn't have hurt either ;-)

very best

Jim

[–] amazingmayana 14 years ago

I just came here via "Fly Away Home" and Caroll Ballard's imdb credits. Gosh, now I HAVE to see Duma..

I work with horses and my teacher used to work with wildlife and zoo animals.

Any updates on the cheetahs , Jim? I am so happy that you took the trouble to post here. I often wonder at the fate of animals in films. Sometimes I wonder if big stars like Ronald Reagan or Clint Eastwood ever cared what happened to the chimps, orangutans they worked with, or if stars care about horses, dogs they film with. Again, a pleasure to see you post here.

rena