CHIMP EMPIRE: The Making of, with Diana Kanweri Behind the Scenes | S2E45

Talking Apes

Diana Kanweri closes not only our special Making of Chimp Empire series, but Season 2 of Talking Apes. The talented Ugandan chimpanzee field guide and camera operator was the first ever Ugandan woman to work on the Ngogo Chimp Project and made an invaluable contribution to the Netflix docuseries. Diana's expertise in navigating the Ugandan wilderness and her keen eye for capturing stunning shots made her an integral part of the filmmaking team behind Chimp Empire.

During her appearance on the podcast, Diana shared her experiences and the challenges she faced while working on the series. Her deep connection to the local environment and her understanding of the chimpanzees' behavior allowed her to capture some of the most impactful and memorable shots of the entire series. Her ability to anticipate and frame key moments in the chimpanzees' lives added an extra layer of visual storytelling to Chimp Empire.

‘I know chimps better than I know my own family. I’m happy, and I think in a way I owe that to them.’

Director of Photography. Ben Sadd, in our conversation for Talking Apes, himself acknowledged Diana's remarkable talent, praising her for capturing shots that had a profound impact on the viewers. Her camera work not only showcased the beauty and majesty of the Ngogo chimpanzees but also provided an intimate window into their daily lives, drawing audiences into their world.

‘A chimp saved me life from a large elephant coming up behind me. He warned me and waited for me to run away with him. I couldn’t believe a chimp saved my life.’

Diana's contribution to Chimp Empire went beyond her technical skills as a camera operator. Her presence in the Ugandan wilderness and her understanding of the local ecosystem brought authenticity and depth to the documentary series. By capturing the essence of the chimpanzees' natural habitat, Diana's footage added a sense of place and context, enhancing the overall storytelling of the series.

As a field guide and camera operator, Diana played an instrumental role in bringing the wonders of the Ngogo chimpanzees to audiences around the world. Her skillful cinematography and her deep connection to the park and its wildlife allowed viewers to witness the chimpanzees' lives with a sense of intimacy and awe.

This podcast contains spoilers and we recommend that listeners watch the series on Netflix before listening.

Netflix theme, and Chimp Empire intro, narration and music, used by permission and under license from Netflix, for use in GLOBIO's Talking Apes four-part podcast series The Making Of - Chimp Empire - Behind The Scenes.

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