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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I love this movie so much
Beautiful, moving film.
This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.
I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.
'UNLOCKING THE CAGE': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five) A documentary about the Nonhuman Rights Project, a nonprofit animal rights organization that is trying to establish legal personhood for certain nonhuman animals (such as apes, elephants and cetaceans). The organization includes a team of animal rights lawyers, legal experts and volunteer law students. They're lead by attorney Steven Wise. The movie follows the ambitious efforts of Wise and his team, between the years of 2013 and 2015. It was directed by veteran documentary filmmakers Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker, who have worked together on multiple other films (including the 1993 Bill Clinton presidential campaign doc 'THE WAR ROOM'). I found the film to be very well made and educational; it's somewhat frustrating as well, but ultimately inspiring.The movie follows Steven Wise, and his legal team, as they attempt to make history by presenting an unprecedented courtroom battle, to change the rights of a nonhuman animal from a thing to a person with legal rights. They think the best way to do this is to first establish these rights for animals like apes, elephants and cetaceans (and hopefully the rest will follow). So they first seek out ape clients, that are in desperate need of better living conditions. The movie follows their entire two year (historical) legal battle.Being a huge animal rights supporter myself, and passionate vegan, I absolutely loved this film. I even cried a little (multiple times) at the end. I hadn't even heard of Steven Wise prior to this movie, but now he's definitely a big hero of mine (as well as everyone else involved in the Nonhuman Rights Project). The film itself is well made, paced and informative. If you love a good court room battle movie, and you're an animal lover, you definitely can't go wrong with this film. The end (of course) is a little frustrating, but like I already said, it's ultimately inspiring as well!Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://vimeo.com/217879519
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.