The Zookeeper’s Wife: From Novel to Film
The zookeeper’s wife (The zookeeper’s wife on VO) is a historical drama film directed by Niki Caro, released in 2017 (only on VOD in France). It is an adaptation of the book of the same name by Diane Ackerman, which is inspired by the true story of Jan and Antonina Żabiński, a couple who ran the Warsaw Zoo in Poland during World War II and used its facilities to rescue approximately 300 Jews locked up in the Warsaw Ghetto, hiding them from the Nazis.
The film stars Jessica Chastain as Antonina Żabińska and Johan Heldenbergh as her husband Jan Żabiński. Daniel Brühl also plays an important role as Lutz Heck, a zoologist and Nazi officer who takes control of the zoo.
A little known true story
When war broke out in 1939 and Nazi Germany invaded Poland, the Warsaw Zoo was severely damaged by bombing. Many animals died, and those who survived were taken by the Nazis, in particular by Lutz Heck, director of the Berlin Zoo and member of the Nazi Party, who saw the war as an opportunity to seize the best specimens for his own zoo.
Instead of giving up, the Żabińskis saw an opportunity to help their fellow Jews, who were persecuted and confined in the Warsaw Ghetto. They began by saving and hiding their Jewish friends, then their action spread to many other people. Using the zoo’s empty cages, underground tunnels and their own mansion within the zoo, the Żabińskis created hideouts for fleeing Jews, thus saving the lives of approximately 300 people during the war.
Antonina Żabińska played a central role in this rescue operation, using her instincts and love for animals to create a safe and reassuring environment for those hiding on their property. She had created a code based on pieces of music played on the piano to signal danger or safety. He also decided to dye some hidden people’s hair blonde to help them better integrate into the surrounding society and thus reduce the risk of being identified as Jewish. Jan, meanwhile, became involved in the Polish resistance, gathering intelligence and actively participating in broader efforts against the Nazi occupation.
They operated under constant surveillance by the Nazi authorities and the danger of being discovered was always present. They always carried cyanide with them, in case they were captured by the authorities, to commit suicide and not reveal the hiding place of the Jews they protected.
After the war, the Żabińskis’ contribution to saving the Jews was recognized by Yad Vashem, the Israeli Holocaust Memorial, which honored them as Righteous Among the Nations, a recognition given to those who risked their lives to save the Jews from Nazi extermination . The Warsaw Zoo still exists today. It has become a vibrant place home to around 5,500 animals, a testament to resilience and rebirth after the dark days of World War II. The Żabiński villa, nicknamed today’s Noah’s Ark, has been transformed into a museum, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the cellar and secret tunnel essential for saving so many lives.
Source: Cine Serie
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