A film depicting the many demagoguery and misrepresentations of facts that have beset science throughout its history. The pursuit of profit and the desire to become famous even at the cost of others having to pay with their lives is the flip side of the scientific experiments of recent decades in particular. From experiments on embryos to the use of poorly tested and working drugs or vaccines.

Dr. Jamie Dodd goes to Africa to capture two members of the Pygmy tribe, a man and a woman. He is on the expedition with a businesswoman – Madame Van Den Ende – who is covering the whole mission, and who has come to Africa to get the animals for the zoo. After transporting the catch to Europe, the two Pygmies are placed in a secret location, for the purpose of experimentation.

Based on their research, Jamie’s companions come to the conclusion that the Pygmies, as they assumed, are not human, but just a type of animal. A creature that stands between man and ape.

Eventually the two Pygmies, Likola and Toko, manage to escape from captivity, but are soon captured.

Jamie’s companions sense that they no longer have an ally in Dr. Dodd. Dr. Dodd disapproves of the Pygmies being presented as animals and of them being placed in the zoo for viewing by spectators. Therefore, his companions lock him in the cage where Likola and Toko were previously placed so that in that time, the distorted research results that Pygmies are not human can be presented to the world.

Dr. Dodd is the only one Toko and Likola fully trust. Over time, working with the Pygmies, Dr. Dodd begins to demonstrate their human traits to the public. He presents his disapproval of how they are treated as animals.

Jamie’s companions learn that Likola is pregnant. They decide that they must retrieve her embryo for their experiments. Dr. Dodd decides to defend Likola, Toko, and their baby as best he can.

Parents Guide: Half-naked natives. Toko and Likola are expecting a child together, but due to circumstances and their Aboriginal ancestry, they are not married. Twice the killing of a man occurs. Severe wounding of a man with a knife. Holding Tokola and Likola captive in cages. A couple of times sipping wine.

Cast: Joseph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Iain Glen, Hugh Bonneville, Ron Donachie, Flora Montgomery, Alistair Petrie, Peter Egan

Crew: Régis Wargnier

France / South Africa / United Kingdom, 2005

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