MAGIC MACAQUES:
DISNEYNATURE’S FEATURE FOCUSES ON ENDANGERED SRI LANKAN MONKEYS
A new leading lady will be on the silver screen on Earth Day, and a portion of the proceeds from her story will go toward preserving her Sri Lankan home.
The star of the film is Maya, a spunky, blonde toque macaque monkey with three distinctive spots on her nose. Her story is told in Monkey Kingdom, the latest Disneynature “true life adventure” and the follow-up to the hit 2014 feature Bears.
For each movie ticket sold during the opening week of the movie (April 17 to 23) — the 45th anniversary of Earth Day is April 22 — Disneynature will make a donation to Conservation International to help protect monkeys and other endangered species in their natural habitats.
“The Disneynature films hold an important place in our theatrical lineup,” says Greg Mason, Walt Disney Studios Canada’s vice-president of marketing. “In addition to bringing together the world’s top nature filmmakers to share fascinating true-life adventures that engage audiences, Disneynature’s commitment to conservation is a key pillar of the label.”
With Monkey Kingdom, says Mason, “Canadians will get an unparalleled up-close look at these incredible animals and help protect endangered species like these via donations to Conservation International. These are inspiring stories that entertain, educate and have a tangible impact.”
The Toronto Zoo, which partnered with Disneynature in publicizing Bears, is now assisting with the promotion of Monkey Kingdom.
“It’s a great fit,” says Maria Franke, the Toronto Zoo’s curator of mammals, because the zoo is involved in survival programs for various kinds of monkeys and many other species. “Allowing people into the lives of this troop of toque macaques — an endangered species — in Sri Lanka will hopefully raise awareness and generate interest in conservation of primates and monkeys around the world.”
Habitat conservation is vital, she says. “One of the main reasons that species around the world are endangered is habitat loss. Because of the everincreasing human population, there’s a lot of human-wildlife conflict. The solution is about finding that balance to live alongside the wildlife.”
Dr. Jane Goodall, Disneynature ambassador and founder of the Jane Good all Institute, says, “A lot of us are working really, really hard to conserve what’s left, [but] there’s very little point in struggling to protect habitat if the next generations aren’t going to grow up to be better stewards. I think Disneynature films play a very important role in helping children to come into better contact with nature.”
Monkey Kingdom highlights the lives of a troop of toque macaques, who live in the ruins of an ancient city until they are displaced. Then they must adapt to a new environment in closer contact with human beings, all the while trying to maintain their complex social structure.
“This movie is really Maya’s journey,” says co-director Alastair Fothergill. “All of our characters go on their own journey, but it is Maya’s that will touch viewers the most. We watch her make her way from the bottom of the tree — literally — to a better place for her and her son.”
“That part of the film will really resonate,” says Goodall. “We try to do better for our children just as Maya does.”
Monkey Kingdom, directed and produced by Mark Linfield, is Disneynature’s sixth theatrical release. The first five are among the highest grossing feature-length nature films of all time.
Contributions associated with Canadian patronage of Disneynature films have gone toward planting 350,000 trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest following the release of Earth, establishing 4,500 acres of marine-protected area in the Bahamas after the release of Oceans, protecting 6,000 acres of savanna in Kenya following the release of African Cats and protecting close to 8,000 acres of wild chimpanzee habitat after the release of Chimpanzee.