Koko, le gorille qui parle (1978)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Barbet Schroeder

Release Date:

4 December 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot Keywords:

Animal Human Communication | Chimpanzee | Monkey | Talking Gorilla

Cast

Koko	...	Le Gorille
Penny Patterson	...	Herself
Saul Kitchener	...	Directeur du Zoo de San Francisco
Carl Pribram	...	Le professeur de Neuroscience
Roger Fouts	...	Le docteur en psychologie

Also Known As:

Koko, a Talking Gorilla (USA)

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

France

Language:

French | English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Institut National de l'Audiovisuel (INA)

Koko: The Self Aware Gorilla

Koko: A Talking Gorilla is a documentary directed by Barbet Schroeder. The film is a study of Dr. Penny Patterson and her current scientific study, Koko, a gorilla. Koko is very special because she is one of the only gorillas on earth at that time able to comprehend and use American Sign Language. Koko also understands English as well. When Dr. Patterson speaks a word, Koko will comprehend and perform the requested action. Nestor Almendros' cinematography exudes compassion through his use of what seems to be natural light. Almendros gives us some adorable shots of the primate in action at the research facility. The majority of the film is footage of Dr. Patterson training Koko in a majority of basic recognition/hand-eye coordination skills. The film also has its fair share of drama as well. Koko is officially the property of the San Francisco Zoo. The zoo let Stanford University borrow the gorilla for research, but now they are requesting her back (it's funny, personally, because I also watched Samurai Rebellion today, a film about taking back "property"). This crises are multilayered with questions on what qualities are considered human and man's cruelty to this own kind and his environment. I recommend the film to everyone.