The film 's title comes from the gigantic abandoned hospital that dominates the area , described by Peter Bradshaw in '' The Guardian '' as , " a deserted wreck and cathedral of poverty known as the ' white elephant ' where the homeless camp and drug-dealers ply their trade . " After its premiere at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival on 21 May 2012 , the film went on general release in Argentina three days later . It saw a very limited release ( just 1 screen ) in the United States on 29 March 2013 , and a more general release in the United Kingdom on 26 April 2013
2012 Cannes Film Festival
2012 Cannes Film Festival
White Elephant (2012 film)