Washoe, le singe qui parle avec les mains
Philippe Calderon
1993 - 52 min - Vidéo - Couleur et Noir & Blanc - France

Five chimpanzees communicate amongst themselves using... American sign-language ! Their chief is the thirty year-old female Washoe, who is at the center of this captivating documentary. Her life and behavior are a fascinating story of which each chapter is a compelling chance to question the differences that separate man and monkey.
Washoe was adopted in 1965 by two psychologists, Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, who raised her like a human child to test the influence of human interaction on her behavior.
The experience is without precedent, it is the first time that a monkey transmits this language to another monkey, in this case, her adopted son... The story of Washoe, which now spans two generations, defies mere scientifist : it is a veritable saga.