Living with Chimps shares the story of an unusual nuclear family: Roberta, Phil, and their two adopted chimpanzees, Charlie and his half-sister Casey. It shows the joys and challenges of life with humans' closest primate relatives. The film investigates their adaptive abilities away from their natural habitat, their amazing mental abilities, and the bonds of love that exist between chimpanzees and humans.

The film follows the chimps as they adapt to domestic life, becoming like surrogate children. The living room is their playground with ropes and swings hanging from the ceiling. Sociable and affectionate, they dine at the table with less than perfect manners, watch television, play ball games, and take walks in the woods with their human family members. Yet, they remain unpredictable, and their strength is potentially harmful.

Living with Chimps tracks the family on and off for three years to capture their spontaneous and revealing moments. It captures Charlie learning to use keys, painting pictures, and throwing kisses at a friendly voice on the telephone. But mostly it is the intimate, affectionate interaction of man and chimp in day-to-day life that will intrigue animal behaviorists as well as general audiences.

"Delightful program. . . This glimpse of a non-traditional family is a fabulous choice."
‒Booklist

"A unique opportunity to experience chimps exploring the human world."
‒Behavior

Parnu (Estonia) International Visual Anthropology Competition, 1996
Finalist, Animal Behavior Film Festival, 1996
American Psychological Association, 1996