The Ape is the main antagonist of Bolero, the third segment in Bruno Bozetto's animated film Allegro Non Troppo (1976).
Description[]
Like an ape, it has black fur all over its body, a slightly dark face, and black eyes with red pupils. Like man, it is a titan towering over the size of a city, serving as a metaphor for humanity's dominance over other creatures. Within the man lies the ape, signifying that it will remain the same flawed creature, even as it evolves into man.
Personality[]
From the beginning of the march of evolution, the ape first devoted itself to stalking creatures, then to scaring them. Gradually, it began to develop tools, using them to kill animals—starting with a club and eventually mastering fire. When it kills animals, it feels satisfaction in doing so. As it evolves into man and exterminates all other creatures, it shows a sinister smile, prideful of the civilization it has built.
Biography[]
At the beginning of the segment, life originates from the liquid of a cola bottle spilled by an astronaut, transforming into an amoeboid creature of very small size. Through the short, life becomes complex, giving rise to a forest where a parade of fantastical creatures begins—reminiscent of animals like tortoises, birds, snakes, or dinosaurs. The ape starts out as just another inhabitant, stalking them from the branches. Gradually, it begins to use tools to kill the animals, starting with a club, its first victim being a turtle-like creature, and later a furry creature whose pelt it uses as a skin. In a fire, the flames burn the club, leaving the ape surprised. Accidentally, it burns an antlered creature using the club. Startled but pleased by its newfound utility, the ape begins using it to kill animals and eventually leaves the parade behind. By the end of the segment, it builds pyramids, erects a cross symbolizing Christianity, sets up gallows, and even creates a tank, symbolizing war. Representing modern society, the land becomes littered with trash, and roads are constructed. As buildings erupt, the animals are either killed or turned into construction machines. The man emerges as a titan, proud of the new civilization he has created. However, deep inside, he remains the same ape.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- It is a parody of the man-apes from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Both are based on a theory proposed by paleontologist Raymond Dart, known as the "Killer Ape" theory. The theory explains that apes had to kill other animal species to progress toward becoming human.
- It can be assumed that the planet in the animated Bolero segment is Earth, as the history of humanity repeats itself, with the ape being the common ancestor. This suggests that the astronaut may have abandoned the planet due to the destruction of their own world and the same mistakes committed by present-day humanity are repeated, creating a cycle that endlessly repeats itself.