Vancouver International Film Festival: An Evening with Jane

In 1960, at the age of 26 and with little academic training, Jane Goodall set off into the forests of what is now Tanzania to study the relatively unexamined life of the chimpanzee. Her discoveries led to a lifelong fascination with our primate kin, and she went on to transform the world’s view of them.

During the filming of this feature, Oscar-nominated director Brett Morgen unearthed 16mm footage shot by Hugo van Lawick in the 1960s. It is this gorgeous archival material--plus the energetic presence of Goodall herself--which elevates Morgen’s portrait to the highest level of biographical documentary. The film delivers a powerful and uplifting portrayal of Goodall, a supremely intelligent woman who has transformed our relationship to the animals more like humans than any other creature--and is still, as an octogenarian, fighting the good fight on behalf of ecologists everywhere.

The film will be followed by a 45-minute Q&A with Dr. Goodall, who will discuss her life’s work--which is groundbreaking in scope and has revolutionized our understanding of nature and humanity--as well as her hopes for the future.

This special charity event will raise funds for the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, which promotes the understanding and protection of chimpanzees and other great apes, along with their habitats.

“Fascinating… The colour-saturated footage has a lush, heightened quality, which is complimented by a tumbling score by Philip Glass. But the film’s main asset is undoubtedly the magnificent Goodall, as poised, articulate and engaged in her 80s as she was in her fearless 20s, living alongside animals who, as Morgen bluntly points out, could have ripped her face off.”--Wendy Ide, The Guardian

This is an individually ticketed special event, raising funds for the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada. VIFF passes, VIFF+ Member discounts and VIFF complimentary vouchers are not valid.
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