Get Active | Living | TV | Shop | About PETA | Donate Now
A Word With Levi Leipheimer | Main | PETA India Strikes Again

Jul06

No, No, Speed Racer

Posted at 03:39 PM | | CommentsComments (7)

comicbookmovie/Creative Commons
Speed_Racer.jpg
So the Wachowski Brothers (the geniuses behind The Matrix) have been holed up for a while working on a live action version of the '60s cult cartoon Speed Racer. Sounds pretty awesome, except that they've made the decision to use a real chimpanzee to portray Speed Racer's simian friend Chim Chim. And, as always when a primate is used in filming, it is an absolute guarantee that there's behind-the-scenes abuse—even when those half-awake film enthusiasts at the American Humane Association are on the job. The fact is that while the original, animated Chim Chim never had any trouble mugging for the camera, the new guy on the job can think of about a million things that he'd rather be doing than performing for the Wachowski brothers. For most chimpanzees used on set, this natural aversion to stardom means that severe beatings, intimidation, and all-round lousy treatment are standard tools of the trade for the trainers who are paid to make them perform. And according to our source on set, the chimp being used for this movie is no exception, which may well explain why he recently deviated from the script and bit a child actor.

ucla/Creative Commons
Chim_Chim.jpg
We've been communicating back and forth with the movie's producer, Joel Silver, asking that he make the humane decision and use animatronics instead of live animal actors. I'll keep you posted on any developments with this one, and you can read more about how that discussion's been going here. Incidentally, my favorite movie blog, I Watch Stuff, also covered the story, which pretty much made my day.

And finally, please click here to learn more and to ask that the Wachowski brothers use animatronics instead of live animals.



Comments

We think it is cute and are being friendly when we dress Animals in human clothes. Strange that we are so curious and entertained by Animals, that instead of observing and appreciating Animals living their lives, we make them live ours. Karma in action shows us, instead of learning from Animals and protecting them and ultimately ourselves, society has become a tortoise willingly and pathetically spiraling downwards into a lifeless coffin of our own making. Speed Racer can kiss my ass!

Posted by: Warwak | July 7, 2007 10:44 AM

In relation to using chimps for entertainment, I was so shocked to see the Fall Out Boy video for Thanks for the Memories full of chimps. Dressed in clothes, and pretending to play drums etc. And "smiling" which we know is done out of fear.

The band is doing a concert here in a few weeks time, and this video has seriously put me off them, I wish I'd seen the video before buying a ticket - at least I wouldn't have wasted my money.

I definitely wont be seeing Speed Racer and will pass on this info to everyone I know.

Posted by: robyn | July 9, 2007 03:00 AM

I'd LOVE to see some nice shiny sources on chimp behaviour, it'd really show me exactly what's being done wrong, why chimps hate it, and how they react. (Not quotes - sources. They get VERY good press!)

Posted by: Mike | July 9, 2007 01:17 PM

Hey Mike, I'm not sure exactly what you mean. There's some good background info on the industry -- including some first-hand accounts of abuse and research that's been done on the trauma chimps suffer when they're removed from their mothers at a young age for the entertainment industry -- put together by Jane Goodall and others at http://www.chimpcollaboratory.org/projects/Chimp%20Collaboratory_Quark.pdf

We also have a site devoted to the issue at http://www.nomoremonkeybusiness.com. I hope that's helpful!

-jack

Posted by: Jack | July 9, 2007 03:04 PM

To the fall out boy person... don't you think you could separate the music from the video? Do you understand that in the music business the band is not necessarily the producer and that die hard PETA members aren't the target audience because you're all fucking insane?

Posted by: bob | July 11, 2007 12:21 PM

Bob, insanity is a "grave, often prolonged condition that prevents a person from being held legally responsible for his or her actions" or a "serious mental illness or disorder impairing a person's capacity to function normally and safely" (dictionary definitions).

I am not exactly sure how people who want to end animal suffering can be synonymous with an insane person. Please do not equate passion with mental illness - your statement is neither cogent nor intelligent.

Posted by: Michele | July 12, 2007 08:58 PM

WHERE WAS THE HUMANE SOCIETY ON THIS FILE TO PROTECT THIS CHIMP. ON THE CREDITS WHEN IT STATES THAT NO ANIMAL WAS HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS FILE, WHAT DO THEY REALLY MEAN THAT THE ANIMAL DIDN'T DIE? ? ?

Posted by: SHARIE DELLA | May 12, 2008 09:31 AM

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)





TaggedTAGGED: speed racer movie chim chim monkey business 

Post this story to: tagFacebook tagDigg tagdel.icio.us tagNewsvine
More:
 

Recent

Archives

Feeds

Commenting

You are not signed in. You need to be registered to comment on this site.

Disclaimer

The views expressed here are those of the author alone, are subject to change, and may not represent the views of PETA. They are being provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Except where third party ownership or copyright is indicated or credited regarding materials contained in this blog, copying, reproduction, or redistribution of any of the documents, data, content, or materials contained in this weblog for personal, noncommercial use is enthusiastically encouraged.

About Us Contact Us