In the biodiverse village of Barekuri in Northeast India, 37-year-old fisherman Sidhanta has dedicated much of his time to defending the Hoolock Gibbons, the country’s sole ape species. While the apes coexist with villagers in delicate harmony, a devastating oilfield blast in May 2020 disrupts this equilibrium. Our Hoolocks chronicles Sidhanta’s journey through the socio-economic fallout of the disaster on his livelihood as well as on the fate of the endangered apes. As Sidhanta faces the moral quandary of a job offer at a new oil rig, the film explores the complex interplay between environmental conservation and economic necessity. Our Hoolocks serves as both a cautionary tale, symbolizing the endangered Hoolocks’ uncertain future, and a lyrical reflection on the intricate relationship between humanity and nature in our ever-changing world.

Our Hoolocks is a participant of the 2024 (Egg)celerator Lab.