Movie

Wild Japan: Snow Monkeys

2014 · 53 min

A gentle, visually stunning nature documentary that immerses you in the lives of snow monkeys, blending warmth and mild drama.

Overview: In the frigid valleys of Japan's Shiga Highlands, a troop of snow monkeys make their way and raise their families in a complex society of rank and privilege where each knows their place. Their leader is still new to the job and something of a solitary grouch. But one little monkey, innocently unaware of his own lowly social rank, reaches out to this lonely leader, forming a bond with him that manages over time to warm his less than sunny disposition. It is a rare and remarkable gesture that alters both their lives. Changing seasons bring new babies to care for, a profusion of insects and blossoms to eat, family disagreements to squabble over and tragedies to overcome. Mating season brings competition for females, as the days grow shorter and colder in a rush toward winter. But with their now confident leader to guide them and their families to shelter and care for them, this troop of snow monkeys is ready to face the world.
How it feels: Warm, earnest and melancholic. Measured and easy to follow.
About: Family, survival, isolation, friendship
Content: Mild violence. No gore, sexual content or swearing.
Note: Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown