Koko [videorecording] : a talking gorilla / Janus Films ; Les Films du Losange, Barbet Schroeder and L'Institut National de L'Audiovisuel present ; a film by Barbet Schroeder ; production, Margaret Menegoz.

1559409851
9781559409858

[Irvington, NY] : Criterion Collection, c2006.

English

In English; optional French narration with optional English subtitles.

1 videodisc (80 min.) : sd., col. with b&w sequences ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 booklet (28 p. : ill. ; 19 cm.)

715515018722

QL737.P96 K65 2006

599.8846

CC1637D Criterion Collection

Koko, a Talking Gorilla is a documentary from 1978 that observes a zoo-born female gorilla in the fifth year of an experiment in human-simian communications. Dr. Penny Patterson has taught Koko hundreds of sign-language words in American Sign Language. Observing Koko's daily routine, her responses, her rejection of a new yellow sweater for her worn older red one, and her initiation of new subjects in conversation prompts more questions than it answers. What separates man from animal? The ability to construct a society, to speak, or to understand complex thought? No matter the conclusions, the film remains a compelling document of a fascinating experiment.

Originally produced as a French documentary film in 1978.
Special features: Barbet Schroeder [featurette] (11 min.). Booklet includes essays "Barbet and Koko: An equivocal love affair" by Gary Indiana and "This large, black animal" by Marguerite Duras.
Koko, Penny Patterson, Carl Pribram, Saul Kitchener, Roger Fouts; English narration, Michael Graham.

Camera, Nestor Almendros, additional camera, Ned Burgess ; editors, Denise de Casabianca, Dominique Auvray ; music, Gutta Cattoni and Maris Embiricos ; translation and narration, Michael Graham.

Not rated.

DVD; Region 1, NTSC; Dolby digital mono; aspect ratio 1:33:1.

Criterion collection (DVD videodiscs) ; 340.

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