Kuru: The Science and the Sorcery poster

Kuru: The Science and the Sorcery (2010)

2010-12-01 · 52m · EN
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Australian scientist Michael Alpers dedicated over 50 years to researching Kuru, an obscure and incurable brain disease unique to the Fore people of New Guinea. Kuru was once thought to be a psychosomatic illness, an infection, a genetic disorder, even a sorcerer's curse, but Alpers' findings pointed to cannibalism as the culprit. Yet a recent discovery has proven to be even more disturbing: the malady is linked to mad cow disease and its human equivalent, variant CJD. With a decades-long incubation period, could a larger outbreak be on its way?

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Top billed cast

Full cast & crew →
Judy DavisJudy DavisSelf - Narrator (voice)Michael AlpersMichael AlpersSelfRuss HarrisRuss HarrisSelfPako OmbeyaPako OmbeyaSelf

Movie DNA

Genre affinityDocumentaryPacingShortDirector preference2863377Actor preference153007 · 2863374 · 2863375Country preferenceUsDecade preference2010

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Frequently asked questions about Kuru: The Science and the Sorcery

What is Kuru: The Science and the Sorcery about?

Australian scientist Michael Alpers dedicated over 50 years to researching Kuru, an obscure and incurable brain disease unique to the Fore people of New Guinea. Kuru was once thought to be a psychosomatic illness, an infection, a genetic disorder, even a sorcerer's curse, but Alpers' findings pointed to cannibalism as the culprit. Yet a recent discovery has proven to be even more disturbing: the malady is linked to mad cow disease and its human equivalent, variant CJD. With a decades-long incubation period, could a larger outbreak be on its way?

How long is Kuru: The Science and the Sorcery?

Kuru: The Science and the Sorcery has a runtime of 52 minutes.