Movies

It's not often that I write a report on movies, I will make an exception in this case by writing briefly about the movie called 'The Zookeeper'.

The plot synopsis is provided at IMDB by Michael Alden {see below}

"Eastern Europe - a city torn by civil war - Present Day Jonah Ludovic writes in his journal. His poetry softening the cynical observations of a man living a self imposed penance. Wherever he came from and whoever he was, Ludovic is now alone, silenced by a crime unknown. Ludovic can hear the shelling of an imposing civil war. He can see the flashes of fire destroying a city that once was his home. He doesn't move. He just writes. As daybreak arrives, the shelling has ceased. Ludovic makes his way to his job as a custodian at the local zoo. He is met at the gates by the fleeing staff. Ludovic chooses to remain behind, he has no where to go. Along with an elderly guard and a veterinarian, the three set out to care for the animals and hopefully protect them and themselves, from harm. It is not long before the war has reached the gates of the zoo. Dragov, the sociopathic captain of a local search platoon of nationalists, heightens the intensity of the senseless war with surprise visits and violence. Within days, the guard has disappeared and the veterinarian killed. Ludovic is left alone with the threat that he will be next. His solitude is broken with the arrival of Zioig. A wounded nine year old, who after miraculously escaping incarceration, has learned the skills of a vigilante. Ludovic wants nothing to do with the boy, who will bring nothing but trouble, but cannot turn the wounded child away. Ludovic's frustration intensifies when a young woman, Ankica, makes her way to the zoo gates. Escaping from a concentration camp and aided by those in the underground, Ankica has made her way to the zoo in search of her son. The reunion successful, Ankica makes it clear that they will stay in the zoo together and Ludovic will help them to avoid re-arrest. Ludovic is at a loss. The war has intensified. The animals are on the brink of starvation. Without the animals, there is no job. Without the job, there will be no freedom. Although reluctant, Ludovic agrees and together, with Ankica and Zioig struggle to keep the animals alive. In reaching out they discover each other, their secrets and the hope that eventually finds peace, forgiveness and love. Written by Michael Alden {novelma@aol.com} "

This was presented by SBS the other night only four years after its introduction to the general public. It may well be that I was about to be lulled to sleep by anything that was being presented except that this movie, instead of putting be to sleep, actually woke me up. It was exciting to see a man like Sam Neill play the role of a middle-aged zookeeper caught up in the middle of a civil war and it was perhaps more exciting, because it gently led me into the midst of the story and the feelings of the characters involved in the plot.

Generally it is rare for me to feel anything more than "its a movie" when I see something on television or indeed on the big screen. Somehow this movie managed to break that nexus.

Perhaps it had something to do with my own childhood, when I experienced a civil war myself.

If you have ever stood in front of a bakery and had a Russian tank arrive, slowly revolve its turret, so that the working end of its cannon is pointed at you and your mother while you were part of a queue waiting for bread, then you'll have had an experience of what it is like to be part of a civil war.

As it happens in my lifetime, all that took place was that two Russian soldiers to jumped out of the turret, went into the bakery, loaded their arms with loaves of bread, handed them all to another guy in the turret and then drove off leaving behind a group of scared civilians who reformed the queue and waited patiently for their bread, once again.

It is an open question as to what should be learned from this, was this a lesson about a civil war or about queue jumping? I will leave you the reader to decide.

In any event, I was drawn into the picture and found it to be a good viewing experience. If it's available on DVD try and get a copy at least on loan and see it. Well worth the experience.

To go from a very serious plot to a comedy regime, do try "The Gods Must Be Crazy II" while this movie gets fewer points from its IMDB voters if you're in the mood for a little fun, this is the movie for you.

I won't spoil the plot, but for those of you who have seen "The Gods Must Be Crazy I" and found this to be good viewing, then you will not be disappointed by this later story. I hope that apart from the humour, you will come out of your viewing experience with a greater if not profound respect for the skills of the Kalahari Bushmen (and women).

Personally I would not want to even try to live their lifestyle or in their region. However if I was for any reason to venture into this region I would really want Xixo be my guide and teacher.