By Judy Shields
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 08/10/205 – The Wildlife Documentary to premiere during WORLD ELEPHANT WEEK
WALKING THUNDER: ODE TO THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT is a feature documentary by and about acclaimed photographers and conservationists Cyril Christo and Marie Wilkinson will premiere on Friday, August 15th at the Laemmle Royal in West LA, at 7:30 PM. Invitation only, but the public can purchase a limited number of tickets for the LA Premiere, as well as the week-long run. Check out the Walking Thunder Announcement link: https://youtu.be/
After the film a panel/Q&A to be moderated by Kat Kramer, joined by Christo, Wilkinson, Lysander Christo and other special guests to be announced. The Wildlife documentary film will then play three times daily at the Laemmle Royal from the 15th to Thursday August 21st for its award-qualifying run.
Don’t miss your opportunity to see this wonderful elephant documentary through the eyes of a young boy, named Lysander. The cinematography alone is worth watching this film, but the voice of the young narrator will have you drawn in listening to every work spoken. You have never seem a film about elephants that will move you, and even mesmerize you so beautifully. What an amazing creature God gave to us and we all need to do our part to keep them on this plant. I promise you this, you will never buy a piece of ivory! A film for all ages and you will learn so much about the true spirit of the African Elephant. Judy Shields, The Hollywood Times
Check out this website to find out more about the documentary:
A unique family of artists, they have spent the past two decades photographing images of the vanishing natural world. In WALKING THUNDER, they travel with their young son Lysander across East Africa, filming over the course of ten years as they observe the role of the elephant and its own rapidly changing reality. Poaching, climate change and population growth are all vitally important issues to address immediately. Production notes state: “WALKING THUNDER presents a unique way of engaging a broad audience on these topics, telling a story through a family’s perspective and a child’s eyes.”
The film is produced and directed by Christo and Wilkinson, produced by Wilkinson, Christo, and Wendy Blackstone, along with Consulting Producer, Lori Cheatle, Editor, David Aubrey, and music by Blackstone. Christo was nominated for an Oscar in 1987 for producing A STITCH FOR TIME and the composer/ producer Blackstone has scored music for two films that won the Oscar, A Girl in the River and Crisis Hotline.
WALKING THUNDER: ODE TO THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT is dedicated to the late Dame Daphne Sheldrick.
The film has screened to standing ovations at the Taos Environmental Film Festival- 2020, World Wildlife Day Film Showcase 2020, Official Selection -Suncine FICMA/Environmental Film Festival-2019, Official Selection – Santa Fe Independent Film Festival-2018. Filmmakers Christo and Wilkinson were the only couple on Earth in the COP 21 Paris Accord Climate Photo Exhibit, never shown in the US.
WALKING THUNDER is the fourth Wildlife documentary Kramer has presented, and the third focusing on elephant conservation and animal welfare. They were The Cove 2nd installment in 2010, Elephants and Man: A Litany of Tragedy, 3rd installment in 2011, and Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story as the 10th installment in 2018. Kramer also presented the documentary FAR OUT: LIFE ON AND AFTER THE COMMUNE, a film by Charles Light, in April 2025 at Laemmle Theaters as the launch for her 13th installment.
I had the opportunity to talk with Kat Kramer about her fourth Wildlife documentary WALKING THUNDER: ODE TO THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT and other projects she has worked on like the re-release of TURNOVER and helping to get a Star on the Walk of Fame posthumously for Juanita Moore.
Enjoy our wonderful conversation:
Renowned Animal Activist Jane Goodall is a supporter of WALKING THUNDER, stating: “The film WALKING THUNDER” is an outstanding achievement. The time and talent dedicated over a 10-year span has resulted in a mesmerizing portrait of the wild Africa that still remains, despite increasing pressure from both the wildlife trafficking trade and the ever-growing human population. We must do all that is in our power to ensure that these incredible animals can remain in their habitat whilst ensuring that the human animals with whom they share the continent can also survive in dignity.”
WALKING THUNDER is the fourth Wildlife documentary Kramer has presented, and the third focusing on elephant conservation and animal welfare. They were “The Cove” -2nd installment in 2010, “Elephants and Man: A Litany of Tragedy, 3rd installment in 2011, and “Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story” as the 10th installment in 2018. Kramer also presented the documentary FAR OUT: LIFE ON AND AFTER THE COMMUNE, a film by Charles Light, in April 2025 at Laemmle Theaters as the launch for her 13th installment.
Kramer next appears in front of the camera in TURNOVER, an award-winning film that is being re-released for a new generation on August 1st on Fandango, TubiTV and foreign markets. Kramer won Best Supporting Actress for the role of “Fran Parveau” at Love International Film Festival in 2019.
Directed and produced by Linda Palmer, written by Palmer and Laree Griffiths. The crew is primarily female and it has won multiple awards at film festivals across the country. A critically acclaimed dramedy, the film also stars Paul Guilfoyle, Donna Mills, Carlos Carrasco, Beverly Todd, Ellen Gerstein, Julia Silverman, Jamie Brewer, Blair Williamson, Danny Pardo, Adwin Brown, Daniel Hoffman, among others.
About Kat Kramer
Katharine “Kat” Kramer is a former Miss Golden Globe Ambassador. Kat is the Founder of “Kat Kramer’s Films That Change The World”, an international cinema series to showcase motion pictures and documentaries that raise awareness of important social issues. Kat is the daughter of legendary filmmaker Stanley Kramer, actress/producer Karen Sharpe-Kramer, and the Godchild/namesake of screen icon Katharine Hepburn.
She has starred in four one woman shows, and debut her solo show “My Duet With Mick” for Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival. She is currently developing a new solo show titled “She’s A Rainbow.”
Kat has won awards for her roles on stage as Helen Keller in “The Miracle Worker” and Anne Frank in “The Diary of Anne Frank.” She starred as Estella in “Great Expectations,” “Joan of Arc” in “The Lark,” and she appeared in the ensemble of “The Vagina Monologues.” Ms. Kramer served on the dais and opened the program for the Pioneer Luncheon honoring her performing idol Lily Tomlin. She received a standing ovation with a special salute musical parody called “Dear Lily Tomlin.”
An animal rights advocate, Ms. Kramer re-imagined the theme song from “Bless The Beasts And Children” as an anthem for animal rescue and wildlife protection organizations. She was honored with the Compassion Award from the Braveheart Women. Kat has appeared in films such as “Going Shopping” “What Just Happened” and “Little Fockers.” She created the role of “Frances Rye” and multiple characters in the web series “Child of the 70’s.” Kat won for Best Supporting Actress at the 2019 LOVE International Film Festival for her role as “Fran” in TURNOVER, the award-winning indie film streaming on Amazon Prime.
This feel-good movie about second chances recently launched on TubiTV and other platforms. Kat co-stars as “Michelle” in the award-winning dramatic short film “MOTHER’S DAY MEMORIES” and plays “Beverly” in the award-winning indie feature FATE’S SHADOW: THE WHOLE STORY, and it’s award winning short film version FATE’S SHADOW. Ms. Kramer has won international awards for her role of “Violet Grace Pennington” in the award-winning indie feature RINGS OF THE UNPROMISED, with a sequel in the works. Kat can be seen in the documentary “CALL ME KATE” which launched on Netflix.
She was honored with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Luxury Oscar Gala presented by Samira’s Network.
Ms. Kramer has multiple projects in development as an actor/ producer/creator and host. Ms. Kramer has multiple projects in development as actor/producer. Kat wrote the Introduction and Afterword for the popular illustrated children’s book “The Evergreen Christmas Tree”- by Jimmy Byrge, which is environmentally-focused and includes a deaf character Raymond. The book has been published in multiple languages, and features 12 signs in a Sign Language guide at the end of the story. Ms. Kramer wrote the Foreword to the up-coming companion book “Raymond Signs,”(animal signs) which celebrates accessibility and inclusion.
Beautiful photos provided by Kat Kramer:
Kat Kramer established the “Hunt For Humanity Award” at “Kat Kramer’s Films That Change The World”. The award is given to an actorvist who uses their voice to fight for human rights, animal welfare advocacy and environmental justice. Kat is launching the #SHEroesForChange Festival and podcast, with an additional #SHERO Award. Ms. Kramer is creating an outreach program called “New Voices For Change” to present original screenplays and theatrical works exploring social issue subjects with an emphasis on global impact, diversity and inclusion.
A Rolling Stones aficionado, Kat recorded an album of Mick Jagger cover songs and obscure Rolling Stones tunes titled GEMSTONE: Kat Kramer Sings Mick Jagger….and Keith Richards.
Kat served on the Board of Directors for the Hollywood Media Professionals, and she’s a founding Board Member of the Palm Springs International Comedy Festival. Kat serves on the Advisory Board of both the LA Press Club, and the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival.
Ms. Kramer is the COO of “Forget Me Not” Juanita Moore Productions, was instrumental in nominating and securing Ms. Moore for a posthumous STAR on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Here are several photos provided by Kat Kramer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star reception for “Forget Me Not” Juanita Moore.
Kat Kramer visits the Great Elephant Migration in Beverly Hills:
KAT LOVES ELEPHANTS
https://www.youtube.com/embed/ou9yVb583Ak?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1
