A critically acclaimed documentary about the fight for nonhuman rights by Chris Hegedus and D A Pennebaker

In 2012, a mutual acquaintance introduced NhRP President Steven M. Wise to world-renowned documentarians Chris Hegedus and D A Pennebaker. Intrigued by Steve’s unwavering dedication to securing rights for nonhuman animals, Chris and D A decided their next documentary would be about Steve and the work of the Nonhuman Rights Project.

Unlocking the Cage, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016, follows the NhRP’s novel mission and work to transform nonhuman animals from legal “things” with no rights to “persons” with fundamental rights, beginning with four captive chimpanzees in New York.

You can watch the film comedian Jon Stewart said made him “proud to be a primate” via Amazon, iTunes, and Kanopy.

As part of our 2017 Unlocking the Cage campaign, we helped organizations and communities host public screenings of the film by providing screening licenses free of charge and assisting with event promotion. We have since ended this campaign but if you’re interested in setting up a screening within or outside the US, we recommend contacting Pennebaker Hegedus Films or the point person for the film’s international distribution.

Sadly, D A, also known as Penny, passed away in 2019 at the age of 94. Read Steve’s statement about his passing here.

Thanks, and we hope you enjoy the film!