The Zookeeper (2001)

In an Eastern European city, consumed by the blazing inferno of civil war, resides the solitary figure of Jonah Ludovic. His past is shrouded in mystery, his present defined by a self-inflicted solitude, the result of an unspoken crime. Ensnared in a city being slowly devoured by violence, Ludovic finds solace in his poetic journal entries, a soft whisper of humanity amidst the roar of chaos. As dawn breaks and the artillery's echo fades, Ludovic embarks on his seemingly mundane duty as the zoo's custodian. The zoo, once a haven for the city's inhabitants, is now abandoned save for a few fleeing staff. Choosing to stay behind, Ludovic, an elderly guard and a veterinarian, form an unlikely trio committed to safeguarding the animals from the ravages of war. Their sanctuary is soon invaded by the brutality of the conflict, embodied by Dragov, a sociopathic captain leading a platoon of zealous nationalists. As the war's dark shadow stretches over the zoo, Ludovic finds himself alone, the sole protector of the animals and the zoo. His solitude is shattered by the arrival of Zioig, a nine-year-old vigilante who, despite his wounds, has managed to elude incarceration. Ludovic's world is further disrupted when a young woman, Ankica, appears at the zoo gates. A concentration camp escapee, Ankica is desperate to find her son and seeks refuge within the zoo's walls. With the war intensifying and the animals on the brink of starvation, Ludovic is confronted with a dilemma. His role as a custodian, initially a route to personal redemption, has become a lifeline for others. Reluctantly, Ludovic agrees to assist Ankica and Zioig, and together they fight to keep the animals alive, while evading the ever-present threat of re-arrest. In this crucible of war and survival, Ludovic, Ankica, and Zioig discover not only each other's secrets but also the seeds of hope, slowly germinating into peace, forgiveness, and love. As they await the arrival of a U.N. rescue force, they are bound by their shared struggle, transforming the zoo from a mere place of employment to a sanctuary of resilience and redemption.

The Zookeeper is a drama movie featuring Sam Neill and directed by Ralph Ziman.

The Zookeeper is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, FlixFling and OVID.

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