TITLE: We, apes
DIRECTOR: ALESI ENRíquez [mex]
STATUS: IN PRODUCTION
EXPECTED: 2027

We, Apes is a groundbreaking independent documentary that addresses the question on all our minds.

What makes us human, if computers can replace us? What can’t they replace? While we are all facing the uncertain future, this documentary is an exploration of our ancestry, through our very closest living relatives.

At first, viewers may abstract the images of the apes, and simply hear the word “apes” in their mind. But as they spend more time with these beings, the inescapable parallels will confront and penetrate. With so many similarities, we are led to the question, what about us is actually human?

Is it our thumbs? Our skin? Our hair? Our curiosities? Our thoughts? Is it that awareness situated somewhere behind the eyes and between the ears? If these beings share so much of us, are we really as different to the animal kingdom as we thought?

We, Apes seeks to face the canon of western philosophy that estranged animals as unthinking, unfeeling machines, and present them as deeply emotional, highly sophisticated beings. If we are to realise that we are part of this natural world, the closest bridge we can find, are the primates.

UPDATE: OCTOBER 1, 2025
The We, Apes team wishes to express its sincere condolences to society as a whole for the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall. The interview Director Alesi Enríquez conducted with Dr. Goodall has been a great and humbling highlight of this project.

We hope that We, Apes will be able to further Dr. Goodall’s monumental work.

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UPDATE: JUNE 4, 2025
The We, Apes production team has successfully wrapped a filming trip to Uganda to capture the wild chimpanzees at Kalinzu National Forest (under the guidance of Dr. Takeshi Furuichi ) and the sanctuary chimpanzees at Ngamba Island (by invitation of the Jane Goodall Institute Netherlands).

Director Alesi Enríquez traveled with experienced wildlife camera operator Graham MacFarlane, who flew in from Tokyo.

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UPDATE: AUGUST 1, 2024
The We, Apes team is proud to announce a successful interview with Dr. Jane Goodall herself.

We, Apes is currently in production and seeking further financing.