The Forty Elephants was commissioned by The Howden to accompany Alastair’s fine art photography show; it was also chosen after shortlisting for the Aesthetica Film Festival 2011. The Forty Elephants is a new short film, conceived and directed by Alastair Cook with cinematography by James Norton. The Forty Elephants is developed around a narrative commissioned by Alastair, written and read by Gérard Rudolf. The project takes its lead from the Victorian street gang, of women and their children, who plagued the Elephant and Castle; it draws in the current landscape and it’s deteriorating edge, a farewell to the Heygate and Aylesbury estates; this is a dark trawl through threat and desire, driven by Gérard’s incredible words.
All images and films are copyright Alastair Cook 2023 unless expressly indicated otherwise.