THERE ARE NOT ONLY DANCING BEARS LIVING IN HORRENDOUS CONDITIONS IN INDIA BUT ALSO DANCING HORSES. HELP SAVE THE INDIGENOUS HORSES.
OUR MISSION
To raise worldwide awareness of the issues and difficulties facing the Marwari horse of India.
ABOUT OUR DOCUMENTARY
Frazzica Productions has begun post production of the Marwari horse documentary starring Kr. Raghuvendra Singh Dundlod (Bonnie) and Francesca Kelly. This amazing story centres on the lifetime work of Bonnie and Francesca to address the plight of the Marwari horses in India, and their bid to change antiquated government laws that forbid the export of Marwari horses abroad.
Bonnie and Francesca, who are considered experts on the Marwari Horse and are highly respected for their work, have protected bloodlines and founded The Indigenous Horse Society of India. At their own personal expense, they travel the world raising awareness of the difficulties facing these beautiful animals and attempting to raise funds to help them.
Marwari Horse at Dundlod Fort Rajasthan India FEB 2012
The Marwari horses have faced many challenges and were once, near extinction. However, the challenges they currently face could tip the precarious balance irretrievably. There is an export ban in place and breeders have excess stock, good feed is expensive and hard to find. There are also cruel and inhumane horse training practices, much like the dancing bears, and many other issues ranging from drought to little to no professional veterinary care. There are equine “practitioners” but no vets in the entire state of Rajasthan, which is where the Marwari’s come from. And now, the only equine research center in the state of Rajasthan that provided at least some small help is at risk of closing down.
In this film we take you to the Hanumangarh Horse Fair in the state of Rajasthan where the finest Marwari horse breeders gather to discuss current issues and compete for various honors. Well-trained Marwari horses can fetch in excess of $25,000 USD at these fairs. The horses are taught to dance and they become highly valuable to their owners by performing at wedding ceremonies and prestigious events – often their only income. In war times these moves where taught to avoid elephant strikes and to protect their riders. Unfortunately horses are sometimes trained cruelly instead of the correct way, just to make a quick dolla
Hanumangarh Horse Fair FEB 2012
Some of the scenes in this documentary will be disturbing to watch; but all of the trainers, owners, and breeders have one thing in common. They need help. Help in the form of education to show them a better way to treat the horses so they do not die painfully from illness; help in the form of training to show them more humane techniques to teach their horses to dance; and help from the outside world so they can obtain the kinder horse equipment being used by the western world.
Then, in the midst of all the chaos, there is a glimmer of light and gentle compassion, when Bonnie and Francesca introduce filmmakers to Rafik. Francesca refers to Rafik as India’s finest horse trainer and he will leave a lasting impression on you. Rafik is an amazing family man, a kind, gifted horse trainer and a true Godsend for the Marwari horse.
Rafik Pushkar FEB 2012
Throughout this remarkable documentary, filmmakers guide the audience through a colorful explosion of senses and emotions. This “no holds barred” story of two dedicated horse advocates who are determined to return the Marwari Horse to its revered place in India’s culture, is visually stunning, definitely confronting, and totally unforgettable.
The Marwari horses recently performed at the Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor castle in front of Her Majesty the Queen of England, on the 13 February 2012. A contingent of over 30 dancers, horsemen and performers were lead by Bonnie and Francesca. Sadly, none of the Marwari horses featured in England where from India.
Marwari - For a wedding Jaipur FEB 2012
THE $67,000 BREAKDOWN
Editing Fees $38,000, Music Composition $5000, Sound Mix $5000, Graphics $2000, Travel costs final interview $4000, Restoration of old footage $3000, Indegogo share and incentives $10,000.
WHERE WE ARE AT
Filming is almost complete and we are about to begin post production. No expense was spared during the filming in India and the USA. This film was shot on the RED EPIC by aclaimed cinematographer Ben Wolf, NYC.
ABOUT US
Bonnie & Francesca
Bonnie is known worldwide as a leading authority on Marwari Horses. He is the second son of Cavalry Officer, Thakur Ragihuvir Singh, of the house of Dundlod. With assistance from Francesca, Bonnie founded the Marwari Bloodlines register and the Indigenous Horse Society of India promoting solid breed standards and practices. He pioneered the first horse safaris of Shekhawati region of Rajasthan to provide a secondary living option for the horses and runs horse-riding safaris for travelers from his heritage hotel/home, Dundlod Fort. Bonnie is an accomplished horseman, polo player and breeder. He has taken thousands of tourists on his horse riding safaris through the state of Rajasthan, which provides employment for many locals. Bonnie has a deep connection with his home and also maintains a free school to help educate the children of the region.
Ben shooting in Pushkar India
Throughout northern India Francesca Kelly is known as Ghoravalli - she who rides horses. Francesca founded the group called Marwari bloodlines with the goal of promoting and preserving the Marwari horse around the world. Francesca has worked tirelessly with Bonnie to develop the breed standards. Prior to the government ban, she exported a few Marwari horses out of India to a safe and happy home in the USA and the first Marwari was exported to Europe in 2006. Francesca donated one of her precious stallions to the French Living Museum of the Horse to promote the cause and has also published a stunning pictorial book titled “Marwari”.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS:
Joe and Tatiana Frazzica of Frazzica Productions live in Melbourne Australia and they pioneered the first horse lifestyle TV show in Australia in 2003. Having worked in media filming horses and motorsports around the world, they visited Dundlod on invitation from Bonnie in October 2004. Joe and Tatiana were the first Australians to visit Dundlod Fort and to ride the Marwari horses. They returned to Australia and aired the film they had shot during their visit, on their television show Horse Rush TV, which aired in Australia and the USA. The footage of Bonnie’s dancing Marwari, shot at Dundlod Fort, is still a hit on You Tube to this day.
Joe cast & crew USA June 2011
TatIana and Joe became so enamoured of the Marwari horse and concerned about its plight, that In February 2012 they assembled an Australian/American crew to head to Rajasthan and film the story of Bonnie and Francesca’s lifetime work. Using the latest large sensor RED EPIC camera and taking acclaimed NYC Director of Photography, Ben Wolf, along to ensure that the scenes and colour were captured faithfully, Tatiana and Joe, along with their amazing crew, have produced some truly magnificent footage that will be seen in the future as a masterpiece of storytelling and film work.
LEARN MORE
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US HELP THE MARWARI HORSES IN INDIA!
For more information please contact info@frazzicaproductions.com
Our website: www.marwarimovie.com