Where was Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey filmed
Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey
Year: 1988
Genre: Drama
Country: Canada, Kenya, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda
<p>This 1988 biographical drama film was directed by Michael Apted from a screenplay by Anna Hamilton Phelan, based on Dian Fossey's book of the same name. Starring Sigourney Weaver as naturalist Diane Fossey and Brian Brown as photographer Bob Campbell. The movie follows the life of Fossey, who traveled to Africa to study the endangered mountain gorillas and dedicated herself to their protection. To maximize authenticity, much of the film was shot on location in Rwanda's Virunga Volcanoes and Conservation Area, where Diane Fossey herself lived and worked. The crew spent a lot of time in the mountain jungle, where scenes involving the gorillas and Fossey's research center were filmed. Additional filming took place in the Aberdare Mountains in Kenya, chosen for their similarity to the Rwandan landscape. The film received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Sigourney Weaver and Best Adapted Screenplay.</p>
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Locations
Base in Karisoke
In movie
Scene where Fossey begins a new research job in the jungle. There she is immediately confronted with the massive problem of poaching and corruption. Already in the first few days she finds many traps near her new base, the Karisoke Research Center. Despite these difficulties, Fossey and her team gradually make significant progress in observing mountain gorillas. They record features of their communication, behavior and social group structure, which becomes an important contribution to the science and protection of the endangered species.
Real
Scene was shot in the Virunga Conservation Area in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This region is part of a transboundary park that also includes Rwanda, but the Congolese side was chosen for this scene. The filming took place among dense tropical forests, where mountain gorillas and other rare species are in their natural surroundings.
Congo Jungle
In movie
Scene where Diane Fossey is traveling to the Congo. Dr. Louis Leakey and his foundation provide her with the support she needs to begin her field research. There she meets a local guide and tracker named Sembagare. Settling in a remote part of the jungle, Fossey and Sembagare begin to observe wildlife and soon find the first group of mountain gorillas.
Real
Scene was shot in the Virunga Conservation Area in Rwanda. This region is located in the northwest of the country, along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Geographically, it encompasses part of the Virunga volcanic mountain range, consisting of eight extinct and active volcanoes covered by dense rainforest and bamboo thickets. Elevations in the park range from 2,400 to more than 4,500 meters above sea level. Virunga National Park is one of the last refuges for the endangered mountain gorillas. In addition to them, the park's ecosystem is home to golden monkeys, forest buffalo, hyena dogs, various species of chameleons, and more than 180 species of birds. Due to dense fogs, steep slopes and dense vegetation, access to the gorillas is only possible on foot and accompanied by experienced guides and trackers.
University
In movie
Scene where Diane Fossey is inspired by the work of renowned anthropologist Louis Leakey and decides to attend his lectures in Louisville. The heroine convinces him of her determination and willingness to work in the field to do research on rare mountain gorillas in Africa.
Real
Scene was shot at the Ontario Science Center, located in the North York District of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Science Center, which opened in 1969, is one of the world's first interactive learning spaces dedicated to science and technology.