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Were any animals harmed in the filming of Duma?

posted 16 years ago by cherryblossom007
7 replies | jump to latest

I found Duma to be heartwarming and visually stunning, and I was really enjoying it up until one particular scene: the scene in which Duma and the other cheetah kill the antelope.

Don't get me wrong, I was rooting for Duma to be successful as a hunter, but in the scene, the antelope appeared to be strategically tripped right in front of the camera and then he was attacked by the cheetahs.

I am not against predation scenes in general. And I understand that most if not all antelopes eventually become food for some other animal at some point. I also understand that waiting around for an honest kill would be expensive.

But what bothered me about this particular scene was the possibility that the antelope was tripped so that it could be filmed being killed for our entertainment.

I enjoy Mr. Ballard's work and he seems to be someone who loves and respects nature and animals, so I hope that he would not do something like that. Is there anyone out there who was present during the filming of this particular scene who can put my mind at ease?

[–] ndlovu8 16 years ago

Hello Cherryblossom007,

No animals were harmed during the making of 'Duma'......... the entire shoot was monitored by The Animal Anti-Cruelty League.

I wasn't on set the day they filmed the antelope scenes but I just called my son Jamie who was. He says the antelope and cheetah never saw each other. That the antelope was filmed with a locked off camera and then the antelope was taken home (in fact we used the same antelope in a commercial here last month, so she is still going strong!). By locking off the camera and first filming one animal and then another (the cheetahs) it is possible to manipulate the images so that the two seem very close. Releasing an animal to be immediately set-upon by another is a criminal offence in South Africa. Releasing an antelope and allowing the cheetahs to chase/kill it (whether for the camera or not) would get us locked up ;-)

There is a scene where the cheetahs are seen eating on an antelope carcass. This was bought from a venison butcher who supplies antelope meat to restaurants. The animal was not shot for the purpose of making this movie, the carcass was available so it was used.

I hope this answers the question, please get back to me if you want more info and I'll see what I can do?

very best

Jim

[–] cherryblossom007 16 years ago

Hi Jim,

Thank you so much for your quick and detailed response. Thanks to your son as well. This is a major relief and fascinating too. It is amazing the illusions they can create with film. I sure was convinced!

Anyway, please give the antelope a carrot for me (if they eat those) and give the big kitties a snack too...just not the antelope okay? ; )

~Cherry

[–] sunrevolt 16 years ago

Cherryblossom, you do know that doing such a thing would've landed a lot of people in a fair amount of trouble. That's a lot of risk for a great family film only ten people have seen.

[–] Rea-Rea 16 years ago

There was one point in the chase you could tell that they weren't at the same place, only for one second but I am so glad I noticed that because I was near tears lol. Loved the movie!

[–] jnejm308-858-110621 14 years ago

How did you film the opening scene with the mother?

[–] ndlovu8 14 years ago

The scenes with the lost cub only were filmed at the start of the shooting schedule using some cubs that were being hand raised. At the end of the filming schedule a second unit had to come back and then wait for a mother a cheetah reserve to give birth. The keepers knew more or less when the babies were due, it was a question of the crew being there at the right time to capture the inter-action between mother and cubs.

[–] jnejm308-858-110621 14 years ago

Sorry I should have phrased that better.
When she was killed by lions?
Thank you for your insight!