Snow Monkeys

In the frigid valleys of Japan’s Shiga Highlands, a troop of snow monkeys make their way and raise their families in a complex society of rank and privilege where each knows their place. Their leader is still new to the job and something of a solitary grouch. But one little monkey, innocently unaware of his own lowly social rank, reaches out to this lonely leader.

Japan's Jigokudani became a sensation when hot springs were constructed for the Hell Valley snow monkey troops. The monkeys get important help from the hot springs in the valley, fed by warm volcanic waters, but their survival is a communal effort in a complex society of rank and privilege where each knows their place.

The troop that grooms together, stays together: Get to know the social ins and outs of individuals within a 160-member snow monkey troop led by Kuro-san, a young male still new to the job and something of a solitary grouch. Snow Monkeys airs Wednesday, April 23 at 8 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings).

As winter months fade away, the forest becomes a nursery for this troop of snow monkeys: The newborns are full of energy and curiosity, and are blissfully unaware of dangers or troop politics. Snow Monkeys airs Wednesday, April 23 at 8 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings).

"Snow Monkeys" producer and cinematographer Joe Pontecorvo sought to capture the life of Japanese Macaques deep within the snow-covered mountains of Northern Japan, in a valley named Jigokudani, meaning “Hell Valley”. Pontecorvo and his wife Nimmida Pontevorco followed a snow monkey troop, 160 members in all, for nearly two years to truly get to know these fascinating creatures.

After two years in the field in Japan documenting the lives of a snow monkey troop, producer and cinematographer Joe Pontecorvo compiled over 700 hours of footage. In this segment, learn about the post-production process, from video and sound editing, to color correction, to music composition.