Monkey Kingdom learning resource

Watch the trailer (above).

• What stands out?
• Does it make you want to watch the movie and find out more? Explain.
• What are some of the techniques used in the trailer to capture our interest and attention?

The setting

The trailer refers to 'An Ancient World of Mystery' and 'A Secret Land of Magic'. This special place is the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka.

• Locate Sri Lanka on a map of the world. What country is it closest to?
• Find out more about the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. When was it created? When did people leave? Watch this video to learn more about the history of this special place.

The monkeys

Monkey Kingdom tells us about the species of monkey called toque macaques. These monkeys have been living in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa ever since humans first built the city. After humans left, the macaques remained.

• What do you already know about monkeys?
• Find out more about toque macaque monkeys. List the three facts that you find most interesting about these macaques. Share your facts with the rest of your class and compile a whole-class list that digs deep into the life and behaviour of these monkeys.

Documentary films

Monkey Kingdom is a documentary.

• What does that mean?
• What are some of the things you expect from a documentary?
• What do you expect from a nature documentary about animals in the wild?
• What nature documentaries have you seen?
• Are there any special moments you remember seeing in a nature documentary? What made them memorable?

Think, pair, share

• Referring back to the list of facts about toque macaques you compiled as a class, what did you already know about the monkeys when you watched the film?
• What did you learn that you didn't know before?
• What would you like to know more about?
• What moment/s stood out for you in the film? Why? Explain.

Capturing nature

To make a film like Monkey Kingdom involves a lot of work and commitment. It is a challenge to capture the natural world over time. It is very special to have the chance to see how a community of wild animals develops and changes over time.

As a class, discuss how you would go about filming a documentary like Monkey Kingdom.

• How would you plan the shoot?
• How would you manage such a long shoot?
• How would you make sure you would have enough material to make your documentary?
• Watch the video (below) to get a sense of the challenges and opportunities involved in making Monkey Kingdom.

Post-production

Fictional feature films are carefully planned before filming begins but documentaries usually involve capturing real life and then piecing the story together in the editing process.

• How important is editing in Monkey Kingdom?

Maya and Kip are the heart of the documentary but the filmmakers could have chosen to tell a different story if they had edited the video differently.

• What other stories might have been told?
• How else could we have been captivated by the lives of the toque macaque monkeys that we see in Monkey Kingdom?

Telling a story

There are many different ways of presenting a nature documentary but most documentary filmmakers (documentarians) want to make a story out of the real life information they are presenting. Stories are a great way of creating interest.

1. Describe the story told in Monkey Kingdom.
2. Why did the filmmakers decide to focus on Maya and Kip? What are some of the things that make them special and appealing to an audience?
3. Monkey Kingdom has a voice-over from a narrator (actor Tina Fey). The voice-over balances humour and fun with facts about the monkeys, where they live (their habitat) and how they relate to each other (their social structure). What do you think of this way of sharing information about the monkeys?
4. Watch the video (below) to hear a bit more about the thinking behind the documentary.

Anthropomorphism

In Monkey Kingdom, Maya and the other monkeys are given human thoughts and feelings. This is called anthropomorphism and helps viewers connect with the monkeys as if they are characters in a story.

• What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with the filmmakers' decision to turn the monkeys into story characters.
• Toque macaques do share some behaviours with humans but are also quite different from humans. Do you feel these differences were effectively communicated in Monkey Kingdom? Explain your answer and give examples.
• The birthday party scene in Monkey Kingdom was set up for the film to show how the monkeys and people co-exist. Do you think the fact that this didn't happen naturally matters?

The message

Documentaries are made for a reason. They share a message about our world that they think it is important for viewers to know.

• What do you think Monkey Kingdom's message is?
• How is this message shared with viewers?
• Does this message inspire you to make a difference? Explain.

Facts about toque macaques

This resource created to build on the learning in Monkey Kingdom digs deep into the film's environmental message. It also highlights important information about toque macaque monkeys:

Toque macaques are culturally significant

Macaques and humans have been coexisting in South Asia for centuries. In many cultures of this region, macaques are highly regarded and praised for their intelligence and curiosity. In the island country of Sri Lanka, the revered ancient capital of Polonnaruwa now serves as a home to toque macaques who explore the ruined shrines and temples.

Toque macaques are like us:

They live in families called troops and are exceptionally social animals. Toque macaques communicate using a wide variety of facial expressions, body postures and vocalizations. Troop members strengthen bonds with one another by grooming and sitting next to each other. Macaques have excellent color vision that helps them to find food and they sometimes swim or walk on their hind legs to reach a good meal!

Toque macaques are part of a diverse community

Toque macaques share the forest with an incredible diversity of species. Asian elephants, leopards, langur monkeys and more all share the tropical forest habitat with the toque macaque. Although neighbors, the macaques must keep an eye out for predators such as snakes and water monitors that could be lurking nearby.

Toque macaques help replant the forest

Toque macaques play an important role in their ecosystem. As part of their diet, macaques consume a large quantity of fruit. These monkeys disperse seeds through their feces, further “planting” trees all over the tropical forest floor. Over time, these trees grow tall and provide food and cover for animals of the tropical forest.

Toque macaques face challenges

Toque macaques are an endangered species and in need of help for their continued survival. They face many challenges such as habitat loss, diminishing resources and drastic changes to regional weather seasons. People can make a positive difference by sharing what they learn about these monkeys or joining conservation efforts to help protect them.

• Choose one of these important messages about toque macaques and decide how you are going to share it with others. You could: create a poster, write a newspaper article, film an interview, write a song. You decide.
• Share your work with your class.
• How else can you share what you have learned about toque macaque monkeys and the importance of preserving habitat?