The gorilla suits used in movies up to this time had obvious anatomical differences from real gorillas; for instance, the wearer's real eyes were seen, forcing modification to the face. For this film director Michael Apted wanted to use real gorillas where possible, but some shots would have to use gorilla suits, so the difference would show. 'Rick Baker' met the challenge and created gorilla suits good enough that Apted could do what he wanted.
Sembagare (John Omirah Miluwi), is based on Rosamund Carr's former house boy and now co-worker at the Imbabazi orphanage, which they both set up in 1994 after the Rwandan Genocide, and still operational.