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IMDbPro

Primate

  • 19741974
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
234
YOUR RATING
Primate (1974)
Documentary
This film casts a forensic observational eye over researchers working with primates. After a time watching it is possible to wonder which ones of these two sets of primates is the more stran... Read allThis film casts a forensic observational eye over researchers working with primates. After a time watching it is possible to wonder which ones of these two sets of primates is the more strange.This film casts a forensic observational eye over researchers working with primates. After a time watching it is possible to wonder which ones of these two sets of primates is the more strange.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
234
YOUR RATING
    • Frederick Wiseman
    • Frederick Wiseman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 6User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
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    Storyline

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    • Connections
      Featured in The Oscars (2017)

    User reviews6

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    A Question of Ethics or an Education in Scientific Studies on Animals? or Both?
    In this film the direct cinema legend, Frederick Wiseman, visits and observes the daily activities that take place at the Yerkes Primate Research Center in Atlanta, Georgia. "Scientists in the film are concerned with studying the physical and mental development of primates. Some of the experimental work shown in the film deals with the capacity to learn, remember, and apply language and manual skills; the effect of alcohol and drugs on behavior; the control of aggressive and sexual behavior; and other neural and physiological determinants of behavior." (from www.zipporah.com) Wiseman begins by showing us the great apes- orangutans and chimpanzees- that are caged in prison like cells, often looking saddened and depressed. Most of the reviews I have read on this film focus on the goals and accomplishments that the scientists have achieved by studying these monkeys and apes. Watching this, I personally feel that Wiseman is attempting to make us question the ethics of this practice. Animal studies, especially those on primates that are genetically similar to ourselves, have become (for the most part) an accepted and ignored element of society. It is believed that the benefits of such a practice far outweigh the gains, but some of the images in this film make you question this. This is what I believe that Wiseman was trying to achieve- similar to his portrayal of the Bridgewater Mental Facility in his film "Titticut Follies". Many images in this film are disturbing...just a warning. This could be viewed as much of an animal rights documentary as could "Meat", but can also be seen as the observation of justified scientific studies on primates. I guess it depends on how you look at it, but regardless of this, Wiseman's editing is not unbiased. The mere selectivity of images and order of their juxtaposition is used to convey his message despite the observational/direct cinema nature of the film. Another winner by Wiseman.
    helpful•6
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    • meddlecore
    • Sep 10, 2006

    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 5, 1974 (United States)
      • United States
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center, Emory University - 201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 45 minutes
      • Black and White

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