Unlocking the Cage
Unlocking the Cage
| 25 January 2016 (USA)
Unlocking the Cage Trailers

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.

Reviews
Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.
Mischa Redfern I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.
Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.
Hellmant 'UNLOCKING THE CAGE': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five) A documentary about the Nonhuman Rights Project, a nonprofit animal rights organization that is trying to establish legal personhood for certain nonhuman animals (such as apes, elephants and cetaceans). The organization includes a team of animal rights lawyers, legal experts and volunteer law students. They're lead by attorney Steven Wise. The movie follows the ambitious efforts of Wise and his team, between the years of 2013 and 2015. It was directed by veteran documentary filmmakers Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker, who have worked together on multiple other films (including the 1993 Bill Clinton presidential campaign doc 'THE WAR ROOM'). I found the film to be very well made and educational; it's somewhat frustrating as well, but ultimately inspiring.The movie follows Steven Wise, and his legal team, as they attempt to make history by presenting an unprecedented courtroom battle, to change the rights of a nonhuman animal from a thing to a person with legal rights. They think the best way to do this is to first establish these rights for animals like apes, elephants and cetaceans (and hopefully the rest will follow). So they first seek out ape clients, that are in desperate need of better living conditions. The movie follows their entire two year (historical) legal battle.Being a huge animal rights supporter myself, and passionate vegan, I absolutely loved this film. I even cried a little (multiple times) at the end. I hadn't even heard of Steven Wise prior to this movie, but now he's definitely a big hero of mine (as well as everyone else involved in the Nonhuman Rights Project). The film itself is well made, paced and informative. If you love a good court room battle movie, and you're an animal lover, you definitely can't go wrong with this film. The end (of course) is a little frustrating, but like I already said, it's ultimately inspiring as well!Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://vimeo.com/217879519
BasicLogic I'd like to ask those two reviewers from San Diego who gave this ridiculous film with high(est) rating. So you guys are animal right hugger, right? How about the chicken's right? Cow-cattle right? Who gives you the right to hire horse jockeys racing horses and bet on them? What about the greyhounds' animal right? Who gives the right to cage birds ripping their right to fly freely? You guys categorized dogs and cats as PETS, but once you either cannot afford having such luxury or the patience, you get rid of them to the humane society for adoption, but if nobody take them, they would be terminated by lethal injection. Why use ape and elephant here? There are so many animals in the zoo, did you ever care for their rights? This is such a phony farce and you guys praised it? How do you like your steaks being prepared, Sir? Medium rare? You prefer chicken breast because it's white meat? You really enjoyed this film? Yeah, I know you guys are Christians, so you treat apes and elephants like your brothers.
bobhelms There are so many worthy causes out there, millions of people in the United States alone that could use help. Yet here is a guy who is wasting time and money on a completely ridiculous concept, that somehow animals should be given the same rights as humans. Waste of time and money to have made the documentary, it was filled with a bunch of ultra left wing loony nut jobs whose arguments could so easily be dismissed by any court of law. One feels dumber for having watched the entire show.
botoxplease This documentary and movement is cutting edge and controversial. I am so grateful the filmmaker has given this topic long overdue attention. Unlocking The Cage has at least started the conversation and humans are beginning to listen. Brilliant. I was very inspired to get involved and wanted to learn more. I can only hope that Steven Wise and The Non Human Rights Project see the fruits of their labor sooner than later. Speciesism is causing the destruction of the planet and I hope this film becomes more widely available because I will tell everyone I know to see it. This movie is a must see and humans need to start thinking beyond themselves and care about other beings we share the earth with.