The Family of Chimps

About This Movie

The Family of Chimps is an intriguing documentary that dives deep into the lives of chimpanzees at Burgers Dierenpark. The film, released in 1984, becomes a sort of visual companion to Dr. Frans de Waal's book, Chimpansee Politiek. It's fascinating how it captures the nuanced social dynamics within the chimp community—no flashy editing or narration, just raw, observational footage. The pacing is slow, which lets you really absorb the behavior and interactions of these animals. It's not just a study of apes; it's a look at empathy, strategy, and kinship. There's something so captivating about the way the chimps are portrayed, making it stand out among wildlife documentaries from that era.

Great for animal behavior enthusiasts. · Interesting tie-in with Dr. de Waal's work. · A unique perspective on primate social structures.