Journey into a corrupt world, full of habitat destruction, political war, civil unrest and illegal hunting and you will find one of the most peaceful beings on Earth, the bonobo.
The Bonobo Connection is a documentary about a forgotten relative: the bonobo. Most people have never heard of a bonobo and don’t know they exist. Aside from chimpanzees, they are the closest blood relatives to humans, and in the wild they can only be found in one country, the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. Bonobos were the last of the great apes to be discovered but could be the first to go extinct due to the dangers they are facing in the wild: deforestation, being hunted for bush meat, and getting caught in the middle of a war zone from the country’s political instability.
This film will take you on an emotional journey into the lives of these forgotten apes. You will meet Susie, Mary-Rose, Lola, and Jimmy, four bonobos living at the Columbus Zoo in Powell, Ohio; absorb their stories of perseverance, survival; and, follow them on their journey to the zoo. Through their stories you will learn the history of bonobos, why so little is known about them, their condition in the wild and why they are vital to our planet's health and to the lives of humankind. These amazing apes have a unique gift of peace and cooperation that they use everyday as tools to enrich and sustain their lives. By understanding bonobos and how they live, humans can learn how to live more peaceful lives. Understanding this powerful, yet peace-loving species, is to reflect on our own origin and gain insights into how we communicate with one another.
Bonobos have a story that needs to be told. We must protect these incredible yet vulnerable apes before it is too late. By watching this film you already will be involved in a powerful movement to save one of our closest relatives.
Thank you for your interest.
Directed By: Irene A. Magafan
Narrated By: Ashley Judd
Film Festivals & Awards:
・Oregon Independent Film Festival - Best Environmental Documentary
・Chesapeake Film Festival - Best Short Documentary
・Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, New York - Best Endangered Species Film
・IndieFest Film Awards - Certificate of Merit
・Official Selections: DC Environmental Film Festival, Maryland International Film Festival, Richmond International Film Festival, Orlando Film Festival, International Wildlife Film Festival, Alexandria Film Festival, G2 Green Earth Film Festival, United Nations Association Film Festival, Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival, California Film Institute-Mill Valley Film Festival and 11 Television, Internet & Video Association Peer Awards (TIVA Peer Awards)