Unlocking the Cage (2016)
Renowned filmmakers D A Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus follow determined animal rights activist Steven Wise into the courtroom for an unprecedented battle that seeks to utilize the writ of habeas corpus to expand legal “personhood” to include certain animals. Wise’s unusual plaintiffs—chimpanzees Tommy and Kiko, once famed showbiz stars—are now living in filth, struggling to survive. Wise and his impassioned legal team take us into the field, revealing gripping evidence of such abuse and plunging us into the intricacies of their case as they probe preconceived notions of what it means to be a non-human animal.
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Fresh and Exciting
Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.
It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.
One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.
I'd like to ask those two reviewers from San Diego who gave this ridiculous film with high(est) rating. So you guys are animal right hugger, right? How about the chicken's right? Cow-cattle right? Who gives you the right to hire horse jockeys racing horses and bet on them? What about the greyhounds' animal right? Who gives the right to cage birds ripping their right to fly freely? You guys categorized dogs and cats as PETS, but once you either cannot afford having such luxury or the patience, you get rid of them to the humane society for adoption, but if nobody take them, they would be terminated by lethal injection. Why use ape and elephant here? There are so many animals in the zoo, did you ever care for their rights? This is such a phony farce and you guys praised it? How do you like your steaks being prepared, Sir? Medium rare? You prefer chicken breast because it's white meat? You really enjoyed this film? Yeah, I know you guys are Christians, so you treat apes and elephants like your brothers.
There are so many worthy causes out there, millions of people in the United States alone that could use help. Yet here is a guy who is wasting time and money on a completely ridiculous concept, that somehow animals should be given the same rights as humans. Waste of time and money to have made the documentary, it was filled with a bunch of ultra left wing loony nut jobs whose arguments could so easily be dismissed by any court of law. One feels dumber for having watched the entire show.
This documentary and movement is cutting edge and controversial. I am so grateful the filmmaker has given this topic long overdue attention. Unlocking The Cage has at least started the conversation and humans are beginning to listen. Brilliant. I was very inspired to get involved and wanted to learn more. I can only hope that Steven Wise and The Non Human Rights Project see the fruits of their labor sooner than later. Speciesism is causing the destruction of the planet and I hope this film becomes more widely available because I will tell everyone I know to see it. This movie is a must see and humans need to start thinking beyond themselves and care about other beings we share the earth with.
The next step in Human Evolution is the documentary film, Unlocking the Cage. The film follows Non Human Rights Project, Founder and Attorney Steven Wise, as he sets out to prove that cognitively complex animals such as Chimpanzees, Elephants, Whales and Dolphins have the capacity for limited personhood rights. Academy Award Nominated Filmmakers D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus spent several years documenting Steven Wise and his journey to ask the question, what does it mean to be autonomous and should sentient beings have the right to freedom? If you liked The Cove and An Apology to Elephants then you'll love Unlocking the Cage! Not since Blackfish has there been a film as important to the Anti-Captivity Movement.