Collective Moments of madness: A camel Odyssey 5 min Promo

[kahina22]

I totally understand how India is an entity and not just a place. Even though you set out on an adventure, India itself is an adventure. Even if you were there for just a vacation.India always turns it into an adventure. It is unavoidable. I have had to escape cops in India before it is par for the course.LOL! Sounds like theses cops were looking for a pay off..typical.

Fantastic video .

your poor deceased camel will come back to you in another form. This camel is part of your soul.

[indophill]

Hi Kamahl ,this was an adventure you will never regret, i loved the SBS version and am waiting for the long feature film ..great work ...

[kforrest1]

Great film! Makes us who work 9-5 in the office green with envy

[pakimadarchod]

Okay so this means no offences to either of you but do you guys understand that a camel from Ladhakh cant survive in the Thar desert? Its so insane and crazy to bring an animal who live in such cold temperatures to the desert that too after a 5 day long journey....I understand you didn't do it intentionally but atleast you should have applied some common sense before doing it!! Its like bringing a polar bear from canada to africa for a show!! DuH~~~

[Kamahlfilm]

Thanks for your comment Madarchod. I guess from the promo it looks that way, but if you new something about camels you'd realise that the bactrian is more than capable of adapting to the Rajasthan environment. And we were advised by the National Research Centre for Camels. They were actually keen for us to bring them down as they had been trying for years but were unsuccessful.

You might like to know that at that time of year, when we did the trek, it was only 3-4 degrees hotter than in Ladakh.

[Kamahlfilm]

When we left Ladakh and it was going into winter in Rajasthan. we'd timed it so there would be little or low impact on the camels.

It is a common misconception that The Thar desert is the hottest desert in the world, but it is nothing on the gobi desert in which the Bactrian camel originated from, which can drop from +55-60 to minus 30 in one day. Now that it a rapid drop in temp!

The Bactrian camel in Ladakh is not native and is actually in danger from inbreeding more than anything else.

[Kamahlfilm]

Before you start firing off your opinions you might like to ask what did the camel die from other than assuming it was from the change in environment.

Umpa died from an obstruction in the bowel. which it was more than likely he had before we'd ever landed in "Incredible India."

And Paratapur died from Tetanus.

You might also like to ask about how we felt when our camels died. I would reply heartbroken.

[Kamahlfilm]

But i am glad that it stirred you enough to feel compelled to write. that is what this story is about...

I hope you hang in for the full version as it is a pretty wild ride.

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.

[pakimadarchod]

I appreciate your reply but I would still stick to my point that TWO camels cant die their natural death almost at the same time when they were brought down for a fair in pushkar. If they had to die of their ailments they could have died in ladhakh, dont you think the 5 day long journey had its toll on the poor animals and that too an endangered one?

[pakimadarchod]

In any case I feel sad on their deaths and feel they shouldn't have been brought at the first place or if they had to be then you shouldnt have atleast used a rickety truck for it.. I can't imagine how it feels like being on indian roads for 5 long days captured in a tight fitting truck where you can barely move....

[pakimadarchod]

Having said all this and more I completely acknowledge the fact that your motive was very noble and wanted to do something good for the animals and also the fact that locals enjoyed watching a new species of camel which they had not seen before! Keep doing your great work ~~~ Go Bless you!

[Kamahlfilm]

A 'natural death' is worth a philosophical discussion. Maybe you mean an ideal death, them passing away at home. I totally agree. Had we known they would definitely die we wouldn't have done it, but Death comes when it comes.

[Kamahlfilm]

I know exactly how it felt to being in the back of an Indian Tata truck as i sat with them in the back the whole way.

From Hemis to Rajgard we did stop and camp for a few days so the camels we free to wander around eat and be camels.

The main idea of the trip was to show camel loving people a camel that they had and would never see, in the flesh before.

[Kamahlfilm]

of course there was the adventure and doing something that hadn't been done before but the idea came to light in Pushkar, there was a year worth of planning and research that got blown out of the window at some point, and it finished in Pushkar to the delight of the camel traders and the people of Rajasthan.

There are a over 1 million domesticated bactrian camels in the world. and around 500 wild endangered Bactrians ( different DND) in Mongolia only.

[Kamahlfilm]

For thousands of years they traveled from Russia to Leh in Ladakh on the silk route. They are only an non event now in India because of the advent of trucks. Now to me that is a shame...

There are so many things to learn about the world when you're walking with a camel.

[franckbyron]

Absolutly Brillant,captivating ,emotional and colorful..keep at it looking forward the full version.A winner at Cannes.....

[saerze]

hey kamahl. thanks for sending me this link, it's really something... and good luck w the film... looking forward to it!! :)

[spulfilms]

Looks really interesting! Is it coming to TV soon-or to film festivals? Have you seen a film called 'The Story of the Weeping Camel'. (A film made in Mongolia) I saw this recently. It was great. Will be great to see your film in full length when it's out! Best regards!

[Kamahlfilm]

Yeah i've seen the weeping camel. lovely film. what a life those Mongolian's lead. I am dreaming of the day that i can cruise around mongolia with Bactrian camels.

Regarding my film: i am in contract, for a series, with a broadcaster in australia at the moment. don't want to blow my horn until the ink is dry. but will let you know. i am cutting a longer version for festivals and will keep you posted.

it is all very exciting. : )

[Lcondorkogi]

wonderful, have deep connection to Rajasthan,

blessings, lucho

[Fridl0rr]

ooooh fuck yes. My two favourite subjects... India and trucks.

Stay true brother, I will be hanging for the final installment.

xo Fitzy

[hidonia]

Kamahl you are brilliant as usual. I can't wait to see this come out. Would love to be there with you. Much love to you and I'm sorry about all of the trouble you've had to endure. Bless you!!!

[austcamel]

Its gunna be good !!!