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Checkpoint Zoo

Play trailer 2:54 Poster for Checkpoint Zoo 2025 1h 47m Documentary Nature War Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 17 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
In the early days of the Russian-Ukrainian war Kharkiv, the country's second largest city, was turned into a warzone. On one side of the battlefield was the invading Russian army, on the other side, the defending Ukrainians, and caught in between them, was a zoo called Feldman Ecopark. More than just a zoo, Feldman Ecopark was an animal sanctuary that offered countless therapy programs to everyone from soldiers with PTSD to children with special needs. As the war ravaged on, and the shelling increased, it was clear that the bravery of the staff wouldn't be enough to save the animals trapped inside. With the help of four young volunteers, these zookeepers would undertake a seemingly impossible mission -- they would risk life and limb to evacuate over 5,000 animals, including scores of dangerous predators, and deliver them to safety. Drawing from first-hand footage, Award-winning filmmaker Joshua Zeman's Checkpoint Zoo showcases a story of human compassion, bravery, and sacrifice during Ukraine's darkest hours. shining a light on the best of humanity when it is all too easy to focus on the worst.

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Checkpoint Zoo

Critics Reviews

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Nicolas Rapold New York Times Aug 15
Checkpoint Zoo portrays a caged and dependent menagerie that bewilderingly experienced humans at their worst and, fortunately, their best. Go to Full Review Dennis Harvey Variety 01/08/2025
A prolific producer whose prior directorial projects were largely in a true-crime vein, Zeman brings considerable polish as well as suspense to this exercise in more urgent, you-are-there documentary narrative. Go to Full Review Stephen Silver The SS Ben Hecht Sep 7
It’s certainly an admirable effort, both the animal rescue itself and the warzone documentation of it Go to Full Review Lynn Venhaus AWFJ.org Sep 6
It's impossible to watch this gripping, haunting and heart-tugging documentary and not be moved by the human stories and animal predicaments caused by an unprovoked war. Josh Zeman captures raw emotions with the taut storytelling of an action thriller. Go to Full Review Anne Brodie What She Said Aug 29
4/4
The unprovoked Russian war on Ukraine’s heartbreaking toll, cruel and unforgivable, has upended its people and zoo animals ..As the bombardment begins, zoo employees flee. …without a doubt on of the most moving docs in a while. Go to Full Review Megan McLachlan The Contending Aug 15
Not only are these people dodging gunfire, but they’re also carefully maneuvering a 400-lb tranquilized killer on a tarp — and if that animal wakes up, they won’t even be thinking about the gunfire anymore. Checkpoint Zoo is truly a high-wire act. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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rgsanchez615 Sep 22 No one ever thinks about how animals in captivity react to wars. This documentary is heroic and conveys humans who are courageous enough to rescue thousands of animals in a zoo. The volunteers who rescued the animals in Ecopark during the border of Russia and Ukraine while being bombed are humanitarians and heroes we should celebrate. It was heart wrenching how humans put their lives on the line for taking care of animals who dont have a choice in escaping wars. See more Barbara Sep 14 What a wonderful commentary on not only the courage, bravery, love &devotion these people have towards the animals, but also on the Ukrainian spirit. The world must not let Russia take over this amazing sovereign country! See more Alice S Sep 2 It was very moving seeing such heroic actions. it also emphazised how horrendous and destructive war is. See more Steven S Aug 23 Unbelievable! Absolutely must see if you love animals. See more Barry Aug 18 Absolutely a fantastic domovie that brings the horror of the Ukraine war and the heroic action to save 5000 zoo animals from certain death to us in great and first hand detail. Anyone concerned for animal life and human caring amid adversity will want to see this movie! See more zachary m Aug 17 This was an amazing documentary. See more Read all reviews
Checkpoint Zoo

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Cast & Crew

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Joshua Zeman

Director

Joshua Zeman

Writer

Zachary Mortensen

Producer

Joshua Zeman

Producer

Ian Davies

Producer

Torquil Jones

Producer

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Checkpoint Zoo

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Checkpoint Zoo

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the early days of the Russian-Ukrainian war Kharkiv, the country's second largest city, was turned into a warzone. On one side of the battlefield was the invading Russian army, on the other side, the defending Ukrainians, and caught in between them, was a zoo called Feldman Ecopark. More than just a zoo, Feldman Ecopark was an animal sanctuary that offered countless therapy programs to everyone from soldiers with PTSD to children with special needs. As the war ravaged on, and the shelling increased, it was clear that the bravery of the staff wouldn't be enough to save the animals trapped inside. With the help of four young volunteers, these zookeepers would undertake a seemingly impossible mission -- they would risk life and limb to evacuate over 5,000 animals, including scores of dangerous predators, and deliver them to safety. Drawing from first-hand footage, Award-winning filmmaker Joshua Zeman's Checkpoint Zoo showcases a story of human compassion, bravery, and sacrifice during Ukraine's darkest hours. shining a light on the best of humanity when it is all too easy to focus on the worst.
Director
Joshua Zeman
Producer
Zachary Mortensen, Joshua Zeman, Ian Davies, Torquil Jones
Screenwriter
Joshua Zeman
Distributor
Abramorama
Production Co
Ghost Robot
Genre
Documentary, Nature, War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 15, 2025, Limited
Runtime
1h 47m