Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People
- Documentary
- TV Movie
Documentary telling the extraordinary story of Koko, the only 'talking' gorilla in the world, and her lifelong relationship with Penny Patterson. Project Koko started as a PhD project to teach sign language to a baby gorilla, but as Koko began to communicate with Penny, an intense bond formed between them. Penny has now been with Koko for over 40 years and claims Koko can reveal fresh insights into the workings of an animal's mind. Koko's unique life with Penny has been filmed every step of the way. Over 2,000 hours of footage chart the most dramatic moments - Penny's battle to keep Koko from being taken back to the zoo in which she was born, Penny's clash with academic critics who doubted her claims and the image of Koko mourning the death of her kitten.
Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People is a 2016 documentary that follows the remarkable 40-year relationship between Koko, a western lowland gorilla, and researcher Penny Patterson. The film chronicles how a PhD project to teach sign language to a baby gorilla evolved into an unprecedented bond, drawing on over 2,000 hours of footage to explore Koko's unique ability to communicate and her emotional depth.
When does Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People come out?
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In cinemas
Theatrical release in United States
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Bertie CarvelNarrator (voice)
KokoSelf- Penny PattersonSelf
- Dale DjerassiSelf
- Lisa SchusterSelf
- Ann SouthcombeSelf
- Mitzi PhillipsSelf
Robin WilliamsSelf (archive footage)
Leonardo DiCaprioSelf (archive footage)
Peter GabrielSelf (archive footage)
Isabella RosselliniSelf (archive footage)
William ShatnerSelf (archive footage)
StingSelf (archive footage)
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Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People — frequently asked
When was this documentary released?
Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People premiered on June 15, 2016.
What is the film about?
The documentary tells the story of Koko, a gorilla taught sign language by researcher Penny Patterson, and their 40-year relationship. It covers key moments including Penny's efforts to keep Koko from returning to the zoo, academic criticism of Patterson's claims, and Koko's emotional responses to events like the death of her pet kitten.
How much footage is used in the documentary?
The film draws from over 2,000 hours of footage documenting Koko's life and her interactions with Penny Patterson throughout their decades together.
Where can I watch this documentary?
As a TV movie released in 2016, it is available through various streaming platforms and on-demand services; check your local listings or streaming provider for current availability.
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