‘Checkpoint Zoo,’ a Documentary Backed By Leonardo DiCaprio, To Premiere in Chicago This Weekend
“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my” except “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore”… we’re in Ukraine. That’s where Checkpoint Zoo, a documentary that follows the bold, brave rescue mission of 4,700 animals from a Ukrainian zoo 30 miles from the Russian border at the start of the war, takes us.
At first you may think this documentary, which is co-executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, is a political war movie. And while, yes there are the sounds of missiles and bombs falling, it’s anything but that. From start to finish, it’s a story that even Hollywood couldn’t script. It follows a group of young men who volunteer to pull off a real “mission impossible” in what could be one of the less publicized casualties of war: rescuing nearly 5,000 zoo animals and bringing them to safety. From birds and monkeys to black panthers, lions, tigers and black bears, these people pulled off a “mission impossible” and documented it all. It’s a modern day Noah’s Ark unfolding before our very eyes that will have you on the edge of your seats the way your favorite action movie does. And it’ll tug at your heartstrings as it highlights that true bond between mankind and animals and demonstrates how deep the roots of humanity can lie.
The film heads to Chicago this weekend for a week of screenings at the Wayfarer Theater. Screen’s Genna Mark spoke to the documentary’s executive producer/director, Josh Zeman who will be conducting a Q & A when the movie premieres this Friday.
Here is the exclusive chat with Josh…
For tickets to catch Checkpoint Zoo this weekend or at any point during its run here in the Windy City, click here. For more on Checkpoint Zoo, you can click here to head to the website.
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