Review: Jane's Journey

4.0

0.0 (0)

Grandmother, traveller, animal welfare crusader, author, activist, UN Messenger of Peace...triplew.me reviews the documentary about the extraordinary Jane Goodall.

Jane Goodall wears many hats but is internationally recognized as the foremost authority on chimpanzee behavioural studies; so much so, that she actually speaks “chimp”, and demonstrates it in front of an audience of thousands.

Jane is completely revered. She is introduced to the stage as “the rock-star of conservationists”, and receives a standing ovation. This happens wherever she goes.

Knauer’s documentary is really a tribute, a comprehensive biography of one woman’s life as a humble servant of many causes. Other than old 16mm footage and interview segments, the camera follows Goodall around the globe, observing her work with a variety of organizations and programs she has conceived and maintained over the years.

In 1960, equipped only with a notepad and pencil, Goodall arrived in Tanzania to simply observe the animal kingdom, especially chimpanzees. While she openly admits to having being very naïve at the time, she also mentions how “magic” it is to still be involved in the same work some 50 years later.

During a recent visit to Tanzania, the camera follows Jane into the jungle; a large male chimp seems annoyed by her presence. He runs along the cleared path towards her violently beating the ground and ripping at tree branches. In what looks and sounds like pure animalistic intimidation, the primate fires a hefty fist over the top of Goodalls head – she doesn’t shy away an inch, just turns, looks into the camera and says; “oh - he is misbehaving”!!

While her animal welfare work remains significant, she places a more concerned emphasis on the plight of Mother Earth. She states that the earth is on loan to this generation of adults, but she rephrases and quickly says “unfortunately we are not loaning earth, we are stealing it away from our children”. She continues her intelligent and measured protest with; “if we humans are really so smart, then why are we so stupidly destroying our home”?

One of the films highlights is Wolfgang Netzer’s original music compositions, combining melodic classical guitar, mandolin, strings and Arabian oud that marry cleverly with the dramatic nature cinematography.

Lorenz Knauer’s poignant documentary shows a genuine hero for our modern times. At the age of 76, Goodall still works and travels approximately 300 days of the year, a testament to this eco and animal rights warrior’s desire to make the world a better place.

JANES_JOURNEY_TRAILER_WEB

Editor review

Leave a comment