Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People (2016)

Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People

2016

Documentary TV Movie

Synopsis

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.

Credits

Director

Jonathan Taylor

Cast

Ann Southcombe as Self

Bertie Carvel as Narrator (voice)

Dale Djerassi as Self

Koko as Self

Leonardo DiCaprio as Self (archive footage)

Lisa Schuster as Self

Mitzi Phillips as Self

Penny Patterson as Self