Recently I had the opportunity to attend the red carpet premiere of Chimpanzee. After, I was able to interview Dr. Jane Goodall, the directors of Chimpanzee, and the McClain Sisters -- who perform the inspirational song "Rise" from the movie.
Chimpanzee's theme song, "Rise" is one of those cases where the music makes the movie. That's not to say Chimpanzee wouldn't be worth seeing without it, but "Rise" is an anthem that brings the film body and power -- which ultimately strengthens the message and importance of Disneynature's Chimpanzee.
"Rise" can be entirely credited to The McClains, which are made up of "The McClain Sisters" -- Sierra, Lauryn and China Anne McClain (notably from Disney Channel's A.N.T. Farm) -- and their parents. The McClain Sisters were asked early on to write the song for Chimpanzee, which they were all incredibly excited and honored to be apart of because of their existing partnership with Disney Friends for Change. "Rise" was inspired by Oscar, the baby chimp in Chimpanzee, who -- against all odds -- survived through an unprecedented act of "togetherness" and "unity".
The parallel between the lyrics of the song, "Rise", for the movie and the unity of the McClain Sisters seemed obvious, and fitting, to me. While "Rise" perfectly fits the storyline of Chimpanzee, it also compliments the McClain's and the "togetherness" they experience as a family on a daily basis. According the sisters, they're all very close -- still living together, and even sharing rooms & clothes -- and making the song was truly a family affair. The McClain sisters grew up with music. Mom and Dad McClain are both lyricists, with Dad being the primary producer for the song. From concept to production, the McClain's get all the credit --that kind of collaboration only works when the family dynamic is just right. Don't believe me? Take a look at how fitting a few of the lyrics are from "Rise":
If your heart feels overwhelmed
Just know you’re never by yourself
Put your hands in mine, hold your head up high
And together we’ll rise
Together we can do anything
We’ll rise
We can make it through anything
We’ll rise
Together we can do anything
We’ll rise, we’ll rise, we’ll rise
The McClain sisters live, work and play together -- and I don't think they would have it any other way. When asked what was the most important thing that they've learned from Chimpanzee, the girls takeaway was unanimous:
SISTER : We learned a lot.
SISTER : Sticking together?
SIERRA : Exactly, and working together to just obtain one goal, which, was, you know, most of the time, it was to survive in this movie, and I feel like we're kinda this way.
SISTER : Yeah.
SIERRA : You know, I really don't know what I would do without those two, so, definitely, just to stick close, like I can't even stress that enough. You know. Just to -- you know, with your family, you know, it's important to have that strong foundation, you know, with every family member.
SISTER : Yeah.
SIERRA : ... we're all like that. And we kinda show it in the music, you know. We write and we produce, and ... we sing, all together, so, definitely, just to stick close, and that unity part ... is really big, for me.
SISTER : Same here.
SISTER : Everything she just said.
SISTER : Yeah. Me too. What she said.
During the interview, the sisters seemed grounded, even in the mist of stardom. They credit this to their parents -- not letting them get away with anything! -- and their faith as Christians. Sierra, the oldest summed it up best: "friends, they come and go sometimes, but your sisters are gonna be -- always be there for you. No matter what."
Chimpanzee is now open in theatres and if you see the film before April 26, a portion of each ticket will go to the Jane Goodall Institute. For more information visit Disneynature Chimpanzee or see my review of Chimpanzee.
Special thanks to Walt Disney Pictures, Global Resort Homes and the Kissimmee CVB for sponsoring this event. All opinions are my own.
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