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Unlocking the Cage

Documentary
2016, 1h 30min
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.
Country: United States

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IMDb rating 7
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Critic rating 6

Reviews

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Critic Leslie Felperin
rated 6

...an exemplary piece of documentary storytelling.

Read full review at The Guardian

Cast & Crew

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D. A. Pennebaker
Director
Chris Hegedus
Director
James Lavino
Composer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Unlocking the Cage about? Toggle content

In "Unlocking the Cage," a dedicated animal rights activist takes on an unprecedented legal battle to grant chimpanzees personhood status, seeking to liberate them from captivity and mistreatment. With the help of renowned filmmakers, the journey reveals shocking evidence of animal abuse and challenges preconceived notions of what it means to be non-human. Follow the gripping courtroom drama and witness a groundbreaking fight for animal rights.

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Unlocking the Cage is currently unavailable to stream in UK on the streaming services we have in our catalogue

What movies are similar to Unlocking the Cage? Toggle content

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Unlocking the Cage include Tickled, On Putin's Blacklist, Homme Less, Night of the Fight: Hatton's Last Stand, Women Behind Bars with Trevor McDonald, The Act of Killing.

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