Werner Herzog Discovers the Lost Giants of Angola in Ghost Elephants
The legendary Werner Herzog is returning to the screen with a breathtaking new feature-length documentary, Ghost Elephants. Premiering exclusively on National Geographic on Saturday, March 7, at 9/8c, this film promises to be a profound exploration of nature, myth, and the ancient wisdom of the wild. Following its television debut, the documentary will be available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu starting Sunday, March 8.
The Quest for the Elusive Giants
The film follows National Geographic Explorer Steve Boyes on an epic expedition into the mist-covered highlands of Angola. Deep within the forests, a biological mystery endures: the elusive ghost elephants of Lisima. These animals are believed to be the potential living descendants of the largest land mammal ever recorded.
Boyes, a conservation biologist and leader of the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, is determined to prove their existence. To locate these invisible giants, Boyes and fellow explorer Kerllen Costa have enlisted the help of three KhoiSan master trackers—Xui, Xui Dawid, and Kobus. They are venturing where advanced technology has failed, relying on instinct and ancestral tracking skills to navigate a wilderness recently reopened after decades of war.
A Cinematic Event and Nationwide Screening
Before the television premiere, film enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to experience Ghost Elephants on the big screen. On Thursday, February 26, Abramorama will host a one-night-only nationwide theatrical simulcast. The event begins at the AMC Lincoln Square in Manhattan, where executive producer Brian Nugent will introduce the 7 p.m. screening.
This live event will be transmitted nationwide via the Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition, featuring a post-screening Q&A panel with both Werner Herzog and Steve Boyes. Following this special event, the documentary will open in select North American theaters on February 27, with international releases planned for Benelux, France, Mexico, and Lithuania.
A Lyrical Tale of Survival and Knowledge
Directed, written, and narrated by Herzog, Ghost Elephants is described as a lyrical tale of survival and reconnection. The film highlights the enduring power of ancient knowledge in the face of modern ecological loss. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where Herzog was honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.
Complementing the film is a new coffee table book by Steve Boyes, titled Okavango and the Source of Life, releasing March 3. Featuring a foreword by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, the book expands on the cinematic journey with over 100 photographs and detailed maps, offering an intimate look at the fragile ecosystems of the Angolan headwaters.
Production Team
Ghost Elephants is produced by Herzog for Skellig Rock, Inc., and Ariel León Isacovitch for The Roots Production Service, with Sobey Road Entertainment serving as the producing partner. The film is executive produced by Brian Nugent, Andrew Trapani, Emerson G. Farrel, David Sze, and others, alongside National Geographic Documentary Films executives Carolyn Bernstein and Tim Horsburgh.
