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MikeKNPS
Reviews
Chimp Empire (2023)
An Intimate Encounter with the Chimps of Ngogo
Chimp Empire is a thrilling documentary, which I would recommend to anyone. Even if you're not a big fan of nature documentaries, Chip Empire will keep your interest with its engaging narrative, done astoundingly by academy award winning actor Mahershala Ali.
We follow the story of two chimp groups in the Ngogo rainforest of Uganda, one of which is the largest community of chimpanzees ever recorded. Their story is unfolded through four episodes filled with intense politics and disputes. Personally, I knew very little about the way these primates live, and every episode was an awe-striking experience, as chimpanzees are so similar to us in ways I never considered possible.
The first episode starts with the introduction of the largest group in the series, the Central Group. We meet our protagonists, the most important chimps in the social order like the alpha Jackson, his second, a very large chimp named Miles, and the very ambitious Abrams, third in ranking and an internal rival to Jackson. We also get to know other chimps who are less important in the community, like the cute but lazy Pork Pie and the teenager Gus, who is struggling to find a place in the community. All these chimps are unique and have their own characters, goals, and dreams, just like us. In the second episode, we're introduced to the second community in this series-the Westerners-a group of chimps who are very different to the Central group, which in comparison are much smaller but more efficient and united. In episodes three and four the political and territory disputes explode, and the story unfolds. I will try not to spoil anything and let you watch it and find out for yourself.
Finally, the cinematography of Chimp Empire is remarkable. You are right in the thick of it all and you keep wondering how they have managed to capture all this in such a masterful way. The forest of Ngogo is amazing, and panoramic shots and sights of other indigenous animals make it come to life. After you have finished the series, it's worth watching clips of how the crew managed to capture all these incredible scenes. I hope you watch it and enjoy it as much as I did!