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Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People

Name: Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People
Director: Jonathan Taylor
Released: 2016
Duration: 58 min

Representation Score

6.5/10

Good

2016

Not Rated

Director

Jonathan Taylor

Runtime

58 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The documentary centers on the unique bond between Penny Patterson and Koko. It emphasizes Patterson's intellectual contributions and challenges established academic structures. However, the film lacks broader representation of diverse identities and social issues. The focus remains narrow, centered on a specific scientific community and a singular human-animal relationship. Ultimately, the film highlights individual stories rather than exploring broader social issues or diverse representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film explores a deep emotional bond between Penny Patterson and Koko that goes beyond species. However, it does not include explicit storylines involving LGBTQ+ characters or identities.

How does Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People portray gender?

Fair

Penny Patterson is shown as a strong and resilient figure. The movie highlights her intellectual work and her role in driving the story, avoiding typical stereotypes of women.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People?

Limited

The documentary focuses mainly on its specific subjects and does not feature a diverse cast or characters representing different racial backgrounds.

How does Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story questions Western scientific institutions and zoo bureaucracies through Patterson's experiences. It looks at personal beliefs about animal rights and the consciousness of animals.

Does Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People include disability representation?

Fair

Koko’s use of sign language serves as a metaphor for non-verbal communication. This narrative reflects the efforts of individuals with communication challenges.

Present on Screen

Highlights the intellectual work and resilience of a female scientist in a specialized field.
Uses sign language as a powerful symbol for non-verbal and alternative communication.
Challenges traditional institutional hierarchies and norms related to animal rights.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity among the main characters and supporting cast.
Does not address LGBTQ+ identities or storylines involving queer-coded characters.
Does not offer a broader perspective that includes various intersecting identities.

Official 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.

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