Project Nim

Synopsis

In 1973 at the age of just two weeks, Nim the chimpanzee became the subject of a two decade long experiment that sought to ask a curious question - could a member of another species be taught to communicate with humans? From that day forward Nim was controversially raised by researchers in American households and taught the basics of sign language. Through intimate, present-day interviews with his teachers and an impressive array of archive footage, we observe a remarkable but achingly sad life story. This intensely loved wild animal was also unquestionably exploited and forcibly alienated from his natural environment. A humbling and eye-opening documentary that skillfully enlightens our perceptions of both primate behaviour and human nature.