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Project Nim
James Marsh
(2011)
95min
12 Certificate
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Review
Our Score
by
Terry Staunton
This jaw-dropping documentary examines the real-life 1970s experiment to teach a chimpanzee, Nim, to communicate through sign language by raising and nurturing him like a human child, without ever considering what would happen when the cute baby grows into a physically strong and single-minded adult. Clashes between scientists and the family who initially take Nim into their home, not to mention a failure to properly catalogue the research, ultimately leaves the ape at the centre of a tug of love, with academics, animal rights campaigners and lawyers fighting over his well-being. Director James Marsh (an Oscar winner for
Man on Wire
) charts the heartbreaking and often incredible events without ever veering towards mawkish sentimentality. It's as much a story about human folly and arrogance as it is the traumatic journey of an animal being shunted from pillar to post in the name of science.
Summary
Documentary about a chimpanzee who formed the focus of an unusual experiment in the 1970s. The ape was raised as a child by a family in an attempt to disprove the accepted wisdom that only humans are capable of using language. But the study was placed in jeopardy as the animal became stronger and more aggressive when it grew to adulthood.
Cast & Crew
Director
James Marsh
Other Information
Language:
English
Colour
Theatrical distributor:
Icon
Guidance:
Swearing and drug abuse.
Available on:
DVD and Blu-ray
Released on:
12 Aug 2011
Documentary
Full Episode Guide
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