After five years of filming throughout the world, of monkey species never before filmed, such as the white uakari, or of species threatened by extinction, such as the tiny lion tamarin, here are "The Monkeys" as they have never been seen before.

In this film, monkeys are not presented exclusively from the primatologist's viewpoint. The fragile voices of the indigenous populations and their sages are also heard. This can sometimes appear disconcerting but is often a source of profound truth.

All over the world, legends constitute a magical link between man and his primate cousins. In Bali, where dancers relate the story of the Monkey King Hanuman saving humanity from the last deluge. In China, where Buddha gave the monkey a place in the astrological calendar.

Monkeys born under the "sign of water" live alongside the water and are chubby, supple and idle.
Those born under the "sign of fire" live close to the sun and are extremely agitated.
As for those born under the "sign of the earth", they know only of life on the ground, of which they take full advantage and seem to be the most astute.

Today, the remaining monkey species are seriously threatened: forest fires, massive deforestation and animal experimentation. Will raising awareness of this problem be able to influence future generations?