Filmmaker Joshua Zeman embarked on a covert mission to Ukraine in the fall of 2022, months after Russia’s invasion, to document the harrowing rescue of thousands of animals trapped in Kharkiv’s Feldman Ecopark. His upcoming documentary, “Checkpoint Zoo,” set to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 6, captures this extraordinary story amid the chaos of war.
Zeman, who did not inform his parents about his trip, relied on a local app that alerts users to incoming bombs. “I didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t know what to expect,” Zeman told CNN. Equipped with flak jackets and helmets, the crew braved frequent bombings while filming.
The constant bombardment necessitated turning off notifications at times, seeking brief moments of silence only to be shattered by distant explosions. This grim reality underscored the difficulty of making a film during an active conflict.
“Checkpoint Zoo” chronicles the evacuation of 5,000 animals from Feldman Ecopark, located near the Russian border, where heavy fighting left the animals without food, water, or caretakers. The park’s founder, businessman and philanthropist Oleksandr Feldman, appealed for help through social media, resulting in a global response and a group of volunteers who risked their lives to save the animals. Tragically, six people, including a 15-year-old boy, died during the evacuation.
Zeman’s interest in the story was piqued by a video of a chimpanzee named ChiChi wandering around Kharkiv’s Freedom Square. This led him to uncover the full scope of the animal evacuation and connect with a park representative, prompting multiple trips to Ukraine to film under perilous conditions.
“This is a film about the unintended victims of war that you don’t quite see,” Zeman explained. Through interviews conducted amidst the threat of artillery fire and footage filmed by volunteers, the film reconstructs the evacuation led by heroic zookeepers and volunteers.
The journey to Ukraine was fraught with challenges. Zeman spent 12 hours at the Warsaw border, trying to explain to officials that his luggage was filled with film equipment for a documentary about a zoo. The concept baffled the border officials, prolonging his entry into Ukraine.
Upon arrival, Zeman and his crew witnessed the stark aftermath of war. Feldman Ecopark, once home to diverse species including moose, kangaroos, lions, and monkeys, was now scarred and empty, its inhabitants relocated to safer areas across the country.
“It was crazy that this was going on,” Zeman remarked, reflecting on the devastating impact of the conflict on lives and the park. The language barrier posed additional challenges, but with the help of a translator, Zeman captured emotional and poignant testimonies from those involved.
Oleksandr Feldman, a Ukrainian businessman and Jewish philanthropist, originally envisioned the park as a small haven for children to interact with animals. Over time, it grew into a vast facility with programs for special needs children and addiction rehabilitation. During the evacuation, Feldman’s home became a temporary sanctuary for many animals, highlighting his deep connection to them.
The human cost of the evacuation is depicted in the documentary through the story of 15-year-old Denis Selevin, who was killed during a strike on the facility’s grounds. In a powerful scene, Denis’s father confronts a Russian prisoner of war, showing him his bloodied hands and declaring, “This is the blood of my child. How am I supposed to feel about you?”
Denis had been helping with the evacuation when the park came under fire. Zeman described the footage as shocking and unbelievable, capturing the tragic events on the final day of the evacuation.
Zeman felt it was crucial to speak with Denis’s parents on a subsequent trip to Ukraine. Despite the tragedy, they agreed to be interviewed, wanting the world to understand the true cost of war.
“This is the blood of my child,” Vitalii Selevin tells a restrained Russian prisoner of war in a gripping scene. The footage of Denis’s death, discovered later, underscored the brutal reality of the conflict.
Throughout “Checkpoint Zoo,” a consistent sentiment emerges: the profound impact of war on both humans and animals. Feldman Ecopark employee Andrii Tyvaniuk poignantly states in the film, “Not all animals are animals, and not all humans are humans. But many animals are humans, and a whole lot of people are animals.”
“Checkpoint Zoo” promises to be a poignant reminder of the unseen victims of war, highlighting the resilience and bravery of those who risked everything to save innocent lives.
