Zed
Science 52'

Party Animals

More than 2 billion people around the world consume alcohol regularly. A cultural habit, a phenomenon of society: drinking alcohol seems to be a characteristic specific to the human species. Or is it?

A large number of animals consume alcohol daily in small quantities. In fact, alcohol exists naturally in the nectar of flowers, the pulp of over-ripe or rotting fruits, in sap and in honey. And this alcohol – in particular ethanol, the product of sugars transformed by yeasts – constitutes a very significant part of some animals’ diet.

How do animals react to alcohol? Do they get drunk? Is it possible for an animal to become alcohol dependent, like humans?

Experts in genetics, neurology, behavioral studies, archaeology and evolutionary anthropology are making groundbreaking discoveries in the field. From Malaysia to America and Europe, the film will follow these new scientific studies that are opening up novel approaches in the prevention and treatment of alcoholism.

PRODUCTION: BIENVENUE! PRODUCTION / COM ON PLANET / FRANCE 5

Director: Jean-Yves Collet

Languages: French, Neutral Spanish, English

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