Lucy, a college student, along with her friends, spend their vacation at her family's home in Hawaii, which includes her pet chimpanzee, Ben. However, when Ben contracts rabies after being bitten by a rabid animal, the group must fight for their lives in order to avoid the now-violent chimp.
"Primate" is a thought-provoking documentary film released in 1974 that delves into the world of animal experimentation. Directed by Frederick Wiseman, the film provides a raw and unfiltered look at the scientific practices involving primates. Through its candid portrayal, "Primate" raises crucial ethical questions about the treatment of animals in research and the implications of such practices on society at large.
The film follows the daily routines and experiments conducted on primates at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Viewers are taken behind the scenes to witness the interactions between researchers and the primates, shedding light on the physical and psychological impact of captivity and experimentation on these intelligent creatures.
While "Primate" does not focus on traditional character development, the film showcases the individual personalities and behaviors of the primates involved in the experiments. Through their interactions with each other and the researchers, the primates exhibit a range of emotions and responses, humanizing them in the eyes of the audience.
Frederick Wiseman's directorial style in "Primate" is characterized by its observational and immersive approach. The film eschews narration or overt commentary, allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions about the ethical dilemmas presented. Wiseman's use of long takes and unobtrusive filming techniques creates a sense of intimacy and realism, pulling viewers into the world of the research center.
One of the central themes of "Primate" is the ethical considerations surrounding animal experimentation. The film prompts viewers to question the necessity and morality of using primates for scientific research, especially in the context of the suffering and confinement experienced by the animals. Additionally, "Primate" explores themes of power dynamics, empathy, and the blurred lines between humans and animals.
Upon its release, "Primate" garnered critical acclaim for its unflinching depiction of the realities of animal research. Critics praised Wiseman's unfiltered approach and the film's ability to spark important conversations about ethical treatment of animals. "Primate" was lauded for its documentary style and its ability to provoke thought and reflection in its audience.
"Primate" had a significant cultural impact upon its release, contributing to the ongoing dialogue surrounding animal rights and the ethics of scientific research. The film helped bring attention to the treatment of animals in laboratories and influenced public perceptions of the use of animals in experiments. "Primate" served as a catalyst for change in the scientific community, leading to increased scrutiny and regulations regarding animal testing.
"Primate" is a seminal documentary that continues to resonate with audiences interested in animal rights and ethical considerations in scientific research. The film may be available for streaming on platforms like Kanopy or through educational institutions with access to Frederick Wiseman's works. Additionally, "Primate" may be available for purchase or rental on various online platforms.
"Primate" stands as a poignant and relevant exploration of the complexities of animal experimentation and the ethical dilemmas inherent in such practices. Through its candid portrayal of life in a primate research center, the film challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and consider the impact of human actions on the natural world. Frederick Wiseman's masterful direction and the film's enduring themes ensure that "Primate" remains a powerful and thought-provoking work that continues to spark conversations and inspire change.
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It’s been a while since “Lucy” (Johnny Sequoyah) has been home to her luxury family home in Hawai’i, so her arrival with friend “Kate” (Victoria Wyant) and the not quite so welcome “Hannah” (Jess Alexander) is eagerly awaited by her deaf dad “Adam” (Troy Kotsur), her younger sister “Erin” (Gia Hunter) and the undoubted star of the film - their pet chimp “Ben”. Now any sense of jeopardy which we might have had coming into this fearsome frat-flesh-fest is somewhat negated by the fact that there is a very useful slide at the top of the film that explains to us the dangers of hydrophobia. Putting two and two together does not require Stephen Hawking and so what we watch for the next ninety minutes sees a lot of people go ape. As ever with these type of films, I found myself largely disinterested in the characterisations of the humans - they are all the usual unremarkable people who’d readily bore you to death at a party, so with the exception of the mostly absent author “Adam” who did bring a little charisma to the proceedings, they were entirely deserving of their grizzly fates - especially the three hormonal boys whose short shrift did raise a smile, I have to admit. The plot is full of holes and some of the dialogue is really banal, but in best Rudd Weatherwax tradition it’s the animal that out-acts everyone and had me rooting for him. The moral? Well perhaps that’s just never to mix a mongoose and a chimpanzee?
I thought it was a good film. The monkey seemed to have rabies and a personality disorder. The 2-hour film flowed very well; I wasn't bored. The camera zoomed in nicely on the violent scenes. It made me nauseous. The acting was passable, the effects were good, and the script was very similar to another film I've seen, but I can't remember the name. Is it worth watching? Give it a chance. It gets a 7 out of 10. Thanks for your efforts. Enjoy the movie!