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Project Nim

Play trailer Poster for Project Nim PG-13 2011 1h 39m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 143 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In the 1970s, professor Herb Terrace and his team raise a baby chimp as a human child, as part of an experiment intended to break the language barrier between animals and people.
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Project Nim

Project Nim

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Critics Consensus

Equal parts hilarious, poignant, and heartbreaking, Project Nim not only tells a compelling story masterfully, but also raises the flag on the darker side of human nature.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator 08/31/2018
This is a compelling and engrossing film but, like I said, it's not pretty, and it will break your heart. It broke my heart and, I'm not going to lie, I full-on wept. Go to Full Review
David Rooney The Hollywood Reporter 01/04/2012
This haunting life story is an exquisite example of non-fiction filmmaking as full-bodied, emotionally complex drama. Go to Full Review
Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle 12/09/2011
2.5/5
There is no question Nim was exploited for human gain, yet there are important aspects which Marsh leaves unexplored. Go to Full Review
Eve Tushnet Patheos 07/01/2021
The filmmaker doesn't actually hold these foolish humans' emotions, longings and aspirations in contempt... Go to Full Review
Dustin Chang Floating World 03/21/2021
Nim is obviously a sentient being and also a wild animal. While not making a villain out of just one person, Marsh reflects on how we tend to treat animals in general. It's a heartbreaking doc and one of the year's best. Go to Full Review
Jordan M. Smith IONCINEMA.com 11/19/2020
4/5
Sleek editing and a wealth of archival footage unveil a sad, and thought-provoking tale of humans overstepping their reach in the name of science without regard to the well being of other living creatures. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Ian R Aug 26 I ceased watching within minutes. Nim was removed basically as a new-born from his mother. Some freak of a woman, who had a pile of her own children, took him, no questions asked. I quit when she started breastfeeding the Chimpanzee. I felt sick already and had murderous thoughts toward the scientist who forcibly removed baby chimps from their mothers to conduct experiments. I stopped, went online and read reviews. I'm going to save myself the emotional trauma of watching this. See more Thomas M 11/26/2022 The best documentary movie ever made! See more jon c 07/08/2021 A chimpanzee can teach us the meaning of being human Director James Marsh helms the story of Chimpsky, a baby chimp separated from his mother and other siblings at a young age in 1973 Communicating with a chimpanzee became a landmark experiment and Stephanie Lafarge does just that just coming out of Columbus University Her daughter Jenny Lee even shared her insight on the whole experience It's rocky at first but that's all part of it; things like this take time to develop that special bond This documentary explores the language humans share with animals but with Nim it's all about establishing a relationship based on sign language Nim wasn't a pet but treated like an actual member of the family He could sense others feelings but also be kinda mischievous Yet as an animal he's still capable of going wild at any time, Nim would get temper tantrums and go on a rampage Nobody keeps a chimpanzee fit more than 5 years because they can be very unpredictable with their strength and behavior This ape would test the nature vs nurture hypothesis making headlines and media coverage By the 1970s Nim's attitudes started to change drastically and extra precautions had to be taken Chimps are like us being very hedonistic The documentary is shocking, beautiful, awespiring, warm, and tragic There's a bond between man and animal that is fascinating to learn about despite all its shortcomings No one says it'll be easy as it takes patience, commitment, dedication, tolerance, and authority Nim is a unique case study because he's more than just a wild animal and shows how we all treat animals attempting to avoid the darker side of human nature See more 09/04/2020 Movie made me angry. The psychologist should have been caged. See more 10/09/2018 Good but infuriating documentary. There's a deep irony in these humans trying to investigate an animal's capacity for higher functions while they themselves fail to plan or communicate properly or be self-aware. See more 04/01/2017 This movie is on like any other documentary, very intellectually simulating. See more Read all reviews
Project Nim

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the 1970s, professor Herb Terrace and his team raise a baby chimp as a human child, as part of an experiment intended to break the language barrier between animals and people.
Director
James Marsh
Producer
Simon Chinn
Screenwriter
Elizabeth Hess
Distributor
Roadside Attractions
Production Co
Red Box Films
Rating
PG-13 (Drug Content|Disturbing Images|Some Strong Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 8, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 3, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$410.1K
Runtime
1h 39m
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