Based on a true story, court documents & testimonials, Poacher follows a group of IFS officers, NGO workers, police constables and good Samaritans, risking their lives investigating the largest ivory poaching ring in the history of India and bringing the criminals to justice.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Richie Mehta

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

To help wildlife crime fighters in their mission, and get their message out!

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Because it's thrilling, and you've never seen anything like it, AND it's about [super]heroes saving the world.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Intricately! It's a series, so we have weaved both layers throughout each episode. It acts as a 7-hour film, so it needs both to function simultaneously across multiple characters.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

It began with detailed research I did in the field, in the jungle in South India, with the wildlife crime fighters, poachers, hunters, and other officials, over many years. And then, it proceeded with a lot of time sifting through the material and weaving it together. The final piece is a reflection of what I heard!

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Only the Sundance programmers have seen it, so so far very positive!

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Hard to say at the moment. I need more of a sample group! Following Sundance, I can answer this much better.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I want people to know that there are stories out there that come from worlds and in languages that may be unfamiliar to them. But they are just as thrilling, propulsive, and exciting as anything they could see in their own countries. And they can also be about real things, about our world, about our collective future.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Most importantly, I want people to see this, take these ideas, and spread them to young people!

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I try never to predict this. I make the best film or series that I can, give it the best chance it has in the market, and hope for the best!

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

"Do you care about life on Earth?"

Would you like to add anything else?

I've said as much as I can within the series!

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Another season of Poacher! It's a story that has more layers going forward.

Interview: January 2023

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Poacher

Director: Richie Mehta

Producer: QC Entertainment

Writer: Richie Mehta

Key cast: NIMISHA SAJAYAN (Mala), ROSHAN MATHEW (Alan), DIBYENDU BHATTACHARYA (Neel)

Looking for: distributors

Hashtags used: #Poacher

Other: IMDb

Made in association with: QC Entertainment, Suitable Pictures, Poor Man's Productions

Funders: QC Entertainment