340 Koko: A Talking Gorilla
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340 Koko: A Talking Gorilla
Koko: A Talking Gorilla
[img]http://criterion_production.s3.amazonaws.com/release_images/1112/340_box_348x490_w128.jpg[/img]
In 1977, acclaimed director Barbet Schroeder and cinematographer Nestor Almendros entered the universe of the world's most famous primate to create the captivating documentary Koko: A Talking Gorilla. The film introduces us to Koko soon after she was brought from the San Francisco Zoo to Stanford University by Dr. Penny Patterson for a controversial experiment—she would be taught the basics of human communication through American Sign Language. An entertaining, troubling, and still relevant documentary, Koko: A Talking Gorilla sheds light on the ongoing ethical and philosophical debates over the individual rights of animals and brings us face-to-face with an amazing gorilla caught in the middle.
Special Features
-New, restored digital transfer supervised and approved by director Barbet Schroeder
-New video interview with Schroeder
-Alternate French-language audio track with optional English subtitles
-Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
-PLUS: A new essay by author Gary Indiana and an homage to Koko from Marguerite Duras
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[img]http://criterion_production.s3.amazonaws.com/release_images/1112/340_box_348x490_w128.jpg[/img]
In 1977, acclaimed director Barbet Schroeder and cinematographer Nestor Almendros entered the universe of the world's most famous primate to create the captivating documentary Koko: A Talking Gorilla. The film introduces us to Koko soon after she was brought from the San Francisco Zoo to Stanford University by Dr. Penny Patterson for a controversial experiment—she would be taught the basics of human communication through American Sign Language. An entertaining, troubling, and still relevant documentary, Koko: A Talking Gorilla sheds light on the ongoing ethical and philosophical debates over the individual rights of animals and brings us face-to-face with an amazing gorilla caught in the middle.
Special Features
-New, restored digital transfer supervised and approved by director Barbet Schroeder
-New video interview with Schroeder
-Alternate French-language audio track with optional English subtitles
-Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
-PLUS: A new essay by author Gary Indiana and an homage to Koko from Marguerite Duras
Criterionforum.org user rating averages
Feature currently disabled
- What A Disgrace
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- Jean-Luc Garbo
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When I saw the title, I thought another cult schlocker might have escaped the Eclipse pen, but now the overwhelming thought on my mind is: Eh?
To be fair, I can imagine it'll be a very engaging, interesting film, but it seems like the sort of thing one might happen to watch on TV one evening - a Horizon special or something. It just seems like a rather C-list selection - a little-known documentary on a rather obscure topic by a not-especially distinguished director.
To be fair, I can imagine it'll be a very engaging, interesting film, but it seems like the sort of thing one might happen to watch on TV one evening - a Horizon special or something. It just seems like a rather C-list selection - a little-known documentary on a rather obscure topic by a not-especially distinguished director.
- Matt
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:58 pm
Grumbling has been moved to the Criterion 2006 thread. If you want to complain about the quality of titles being announced, you know where to stick it.
- FilmFanSea
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 1:37 pm
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Koko's Official Website
Unfortunately, the natural DVD supplement to this film would have been the 1999 PBS Nature documentary, A Conversation with Koko, but it's already been released on DVD (and I doubt PBS would license it out).
Also see this article which details the bizarre sexual discrimination lawsuit filed by two female former employees of the Gorilla Foundation, who alleged that they had been required to bare their breasts to Koko (who is female, BTW). The lawsuit was dismissed last December.
Unfortunately, the natural DVD supplement to this film would have been the 1999 PBS Nature documentary, A Conversation with Koko, but it's already been released on DVD (and I doubt PBS would license it out).
Also see this article which details the bizarre sexual discrimination lawsuit filed by two female former employees of the Gorilla Foundation, who alleged that they had been required to bare their breasts to Koko (who is female, BTW). The lawsuit was dismissed last December.
- The Elegant Dandy Fop
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- edgarnazaretian
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- cdnchris
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Now I'm going to express some disappointment. In all honesty I've found Koko to be quite fascinating ever since I was young and I know there's a lot of stuff out there on the subject so I figured with this release there'd be prime-pickings for supplements. But alas, just a Schroeder interview and an alternate French track I won't listen to.
Ah well, at least it's a cheaper one. I've actually become more fascinated with this film after reading more about it and I'd really like to see it now. Plus my wife wants it, so it doesn't feel like too much of a gamble.
Ah well, at least it's a cheaper one. I've actually become more fascinated with this film after reading more about it and I'd really like to see it now. Plus my wife wants it, so it doesn't feel like too much of a gamble.
- backstreetsbackalright
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- skuhn8
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- cdnchris
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Exactly. Other than dying and losing a baby (which she apparently expressed being depressed about--or was it a cat??) I know nothing else about what she's been up to and I thought a supplement like that would be great (though, true, the interview might mention something, or at least the booklet, but still...)skuhn8 wrote:Couldn't they dig up something to clue us in on what the monkey's been up to the past 25 years?
- oldsheperd
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- Buttery Jeb
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I, too, was hoping for a "Koko on Koko" featurette on this one. I'd think anyone watching this would be interested on her thoughts from back during the making of the film.
As it stands, I had a jones to rent this a few weeks ago, and my current all-DVD rental place informed me it wasn't out. I was convinced HVE put it out with "More." Oh well, at least it's coming now.
-BJ
As it stands, I had a jones to rent this a few weeks ago, and my current all-DVD rental place informed me it wasn't out. I was convinced HVE put it out with "More." Oh well, at least it's coming now.
-BJ
- Andre Jurieu
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- The Invunche
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- Andre Jurieu
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- Andre Jurieu
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- souvenir
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DVD Beaver review is up and, surprisingly, it appears this release is not progressive and has combing issues. This would certainly be disappointing.
- HerrSchreck
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