Albino gorilla ‘Snowflake’ movie to première in December

Directed by Andrés G. Schaer and featuring popular actors Pere Ponce and Elsa Pataky, the film hopes to reach an international audience. It combines 3D animated features with real images. The movie pictures Snowflake, the popular albino gorilla that lived in Barcelona’s zoo.

CNA / Elisenda Rosanas / Sílvia Giménez

July 7, 2011 10:36 PM

Barcelona (ACN).- The first  movie about the albino gorilla Snowflake already has a première date settled. The film will be shown at Catalan cinemas next Christmas. Produced by Filmax and directed by Andrés G. Schaer, the film tells the story of the arrival of the albino gorilla to Barcelona zoo during the 1960s. Pere Ponce, Elsa Pataky, Rosa Boladeras and Fèlix Pons are just some of the actors that star in the movie that has been in production for over a year. ‘Snowflake’ will combine real images and 3D animation and the film will be followed by a TV series based on the famous gorilla.


Since Snowflake’s death, producer Julio Fernandez has been trying to recreate the story about the only white gorilla. Now the movie is a reality and already has a première date: December 23rd, just before the Christmas holidays. ’Snowflake’ is the emotional story of the relationship between human beings and animals. The designers have mixed real images and 3D animation, a technique that the director has used in his other films.

The plot is about the arrival of the animal to Barcelona in 1966 under the wing of Catalan primate researcher Jordi Sabaté Pi. The film shows Snowflake’s difficult integration in the park with the other black gorillas. At first, they rejected the albino, which led to the new arrival developing an enormous sense of inferiority that could only be overcome by its friendship with Paula. Paula, in turn, will receive the help from her friend Leo to save the gorilla from his attempt to escape from the zoo and his desire to change colour. The film is then, an adventure story that hopes to send out a universal message.

Elsa Pataky, Pere Ponce, Rosa Boladeras and Fèlix Pons are the main characters of the story, together with Joan Sullà and Claudia Abate, who play the role of the two children.