‘Chimp Crazy’ is a disturbing docuseries that argues against the ownership of primates

As a longtime animal lover and advocate who has spent countless hours working with various species, I found “Chimp Crazy” to be a deeply troubling yet compelling documentary that sheds light on the complexities of human-animal relationships.

Among the earliest television shows I recall watching was “The Hathaways,” a sitcom from the early ’60s, featuring Peggy Cass and Jack Weston as a suburban couple with three chimpanzees. Interestingly, a chimp named J. Fred Muggs was quite popular in the 1950s, frequently appearing on “Today” and boosting its ratings. The last series I previously reviewed is titled “Bad Monkey,” which also features a monkey.

For decades, trained wild animals have been a common sight on TV and in films, yet I never gave much thought to where they ended up once their shows were over or how they lived out their days when their careers were done. Even though chimpanzees can live quite long lives, just like us, they are adorable and easy to train for only a limited period of time. It’s the old tale of show business.

Eric Goode, known for his direction of Netflix’s hit series “Tiger King” and its follow-ups, is back with another intriguing tale, this time focusing on individuals who keep wild chimpanzees, either for amusement or financial gain – excluding any elements related to murder-for-hire. The narrative style remains similar to the previous series, with the animals playing a secondary role to the people who own them. Titled “Chimp Crazy”, this four-part documentary premieres on HBO this Sunday at 10 p.m. Pacific, and airs weekly through September 8th.

Its main subject is Tonia Haddix, whose desire for a chimp (“You can shape them into being you.”) led her to Festus, Mo. — in a state, we learn, with few restrictions on the ownership or breeding of animals — and Connie Casey’s Missouri Primate Foundation, where Haddix would volunteer, relocate full time and eventually take over. Supporting players include, on one side, Casey and Pam Rosaire, a Sarasota, Fla.-based circus performer and chimp trainer — who famously breast-fed a premature chimp that wouldn’t take formula — and on the other, PETA general counsel Jared Goodman, for whom Haddix has many colorful names and epithets, and the actor Alan Cumming, a PETA “honorary director.” In the 1996 film “Buddy,” Cumming had bonded with Tonka, one of the apes in Haddix’s keeping, and the animal at the center of this series’ drama.

1. The main character, Tonka the chimpanzee, and Tonia Haddix feature in this series (HBO).

Since “Tiger King” was known for his criticism towards the big cat industry, Goode chose to work through a “proxy director.” Dwayne Cunningham, a graduate of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College with experience in animal trading, had previously served 14 months in jail for illegally transporting endangered reptiles – which he refers to as having a “relationship with the federal government over exotic animals.” This initial dishonesty creates an ethical dilemma within the filmmaking process, given that it’s apparent from the start this won’t be a positive portrayal. Goode (working through Cunningham) started shooting while the story was still developing, and as is common nowadays, the documentary-making process became an integral part of the final product.

Prior to Haddix’s arrival at Casey’s complex, it was previously known as Chimparty. Casey provided chimps for kids’ birthday parties, loaned them for films and greeting card production, and bred them as pets, fetching prices up to tens of thousands of dollars. A former volunteer named Angela Scott, shocked by the conditions, contacted PETA and initiated the ongoing struggle depicted in “Chimp Crazy”, causing Haddix to become entangled in a web of deceit and schemes. As Cumming, who became deeply involved in the narrative, notes, “love has a way of overriding rational thinking.”

Ironically, such affection for an animal might actually harm its wellbeing. As Haddix refers to the chimps as her ‘kids’ and admits loving them more than her family, it’s clear she’s not providing optimal care. Feeding them unhealthy food and offering minimal enrichment in their cages is evident. Two escapes under her supervision are a testament to this. While editing is selective, the animals’ distressed state is apparent. PETA’s Goodman states bluntly, “She lacks the qualifications to care for chimpanzees.” Having no formal training, she is merely someone who enjoys chimps, not a professional like Jane Goodall.

As a former documentary producer who spent years immersed in the world of investigative journalism and nature documentaries, I can attest that this streaming docuseries is not your typical informational program about chimps or other wildlife. Instead, it seems to be more of an entertainment-focused production. It showcases unique characters and strings together one extraordinary event with another, often creating conflict as a means to build towards a dramatic climax. While it does share some similarities with investigative journalism in its structure, the primary objective appears to be entertainment rather than uncovering truth or educating the audience. In my opinion, this shift towards entertainment can sometimes detract from the educational value and authenticity of documentaries, but it’s clear that this approach resonates with many viewers who are drawn to the thrill of the narrative and the spectacle on display.

In addition, the argument against viewing wild animals as pets, commodities, or playthings could also be substantiated by Haddix’s perspective. She effectively presents her case, and despite hearing about the cruelty towards other chimps, our empathy leans towards them. By providing Haddix an opportunity to express her views, Goode does offer some depth to her character. However, interviewing her during beauty treatments like applying false eyelashes, a spray tan, or lip augmentation suggests that she may not fully understand the gravity of the issue at hand.

The show is unsettling, covering aspects of animal treatment and human actions, including those of Goode and Haddix. At moments, I had trouble continuing to watch, but it manages to keep you hooked until the end as the storyline grows increasingly bizarre. Clearly, this was its intention.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve noticed a significant shift in our perspective towards animal intelligence since the release of “The Hathaways.” We’re becoming increasingly aware of their cognitive abilities and ensuring they’re treated appropriately without projecting our human understanding onto them. The debate surrounding the legal rights and personhood of chimpanzees is ongoing, with some legislative changes being made here and there. We may never exhaust the possibilities of animal actors in films, but we’ve certainly moved past using mechanical devices like wires attached to a horse’s upper lip to make it seem as if it’s talking. Today, we have Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) for such effects.

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2024-08-18 13:31