Unlocking the Cage

Jun 22 2016 TV-14 1h 31m
Documentary, Drama, History

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.

Official Trailer
Plot

Follows animal rights lawyer Steven Wise in his unprecedented challenge to break down the legal wall that separates animals from humans, by filing the first lawsuits that seek to transform a chimpanzee from a 'thing' with no rights to a 'person' with legal protections.

Written by

N/A

Directed by

Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker

Cast

Barbara Jaffe, Elizabeth Stein, Steven M. Wise

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Pennebaker Hegedus Films, Inc., HBO Documentary Films

Languages

English, Français

Awards

2 wins & 1 nomination

Trailers
Unlocking The Cage (HBO Documentary Films)
Scores
# of Votes
428
Average Rating
7 out of 10
Metascore
63
Popularity
NA