It took Jane Goodall’s interest in chimpanzees to turn her into a humanitarian and environmentalist. She might say that the path was a logical one, almost inevitable. And after a viewing of Jane’s Journey, currently showing at the Northwest Film Forum through Thursday, you will likely agree.

Jane’s Journey depicts Dr. Goodall’s early and groundbreaking work with the chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe National Park, but the film spends the majority of time on her work with the Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots, a network connecting youth of all ages doing service projects in 120 countries.

The film also gives a glimpse into Dr. Goodall’s family life, including a touching scene in which she observes some hippos in a remote area of Tanzania with her son, two of his children, and the “Hippopotamus Whisperer” (a guide from a local village family that believes the hippos are their ancestors).

Overall, the film is inspiring, even if it galls as it inspires. In another scene from Greenland, the camera catches a large sheet of ice coming off of the icecap–something that never happened 30 years ago. The sound, even on film, is meaningful and memorable.

Jane’s Journey continues its run Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Northwest Film Forum, and as a special bonus, Jane Goodall will be in attendance tonight. There are about 25 tickets left for that showing, and they’re only available at the door. So get over there early (NWFF recommends 6 p.m.-ish) and add your name to the list of over three million people who have touched Mr. H, Dr. Goodall’s traveling companion and stuffed monkey!