Ghost Elephants

Werner Herzog embarks on an expedition to the high plains of Angola, an impenetrable area the size of England, where the San people believe that descendants of the largest elephant species ever seen are still are hiding. These giant “ghost elephants” are said to be genetically different from all other African elephants. South African zoologist Steve Boyes has been convinced for years that these mythical animals still exist, but this has never been scientifically confirmed.

Through Herzog’s eyes, the search by the determined Boyes, who is assisted by master trackers from Angola and Namibia, becomes much more than a scientific experiment. As in his earlier films, Herzog is particularly fascinated by human obsessions, dreams, and imagination.

Isn’t it actually better, he and Boyes wonder, if the elephants remain forever hidden from human sight? If they remain ghosts? And is the San chief right when he says that the fate of the elephants is directly and inextricably linked to that of humans?