The Zookeeper's Wife

Opening in theaters on March 31, 2017

By Devon Biroczky

Based on Diane Ackerman’s gut-wrenching and powerful book, The Zookeeper’s Wife stars Jessica Chastain in another great performance as Antonina Zabinski.

About the movie

​The real-life story of one working wife and mother who became a hero to hundreds during World War II. In 1939 Poland, Antonina Żabińska (portrayed by two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain) and her husband, Dr. Jan Żabiński (Johan Heldenbergh of “The Broken Circle Breakdown”), have the Warsaw Zoo flourishing under his stewardship and her care. When their country is invaded by the Germans, Jan and Antonina are stunned – and forced to report to the Reich’s newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck (Daniel Brühl of “Captain America: Civil War”). To fight back on their own terms, Antonina and Jan covertly begin working with the Resistance – and put into action plans to save lives out of what has become the Warsaw Ghetto, with Antonina putting herself and even her children at great risk.

Watch a trailer

Did we like it?

​This Friday, I was invited to a screening of the new movie “The Zookeeper’s Wife.” I hadn’t read the book yet, but I was seeing the trailer everywhere and I couldn’t wait to see it. Let me just tell you now, it was amazing.
 
Just to put this out there, I’m not usually a “sniffling and crying during a movie” kind of girl. But oh boy, this movie brought on the tears from all of us in the audience. This movie stars Jessica Chastain and Johan Heldenbergh, as Antonina and Jan Żabiński respectively, a couple who owns the Warsaw Zoo in Poland during World War II. During this time, the couple was able to save as many as 300 people by sheltering them in their own home in the zoo villa until further refuge was found for everybody.
 
This movie was absolutely amazing, and the entire audience was crying by the end of it. Jessica Chastain did such an incredible job as a strong female protagonist, which we were also able to chat with her about on a conference call after the movie!
 
We all got to ask her a few questions, and she was able to discuss with all of us some big moments in the movie. When asked what moved her to be a part of this film, she explained that she was inspired by the idea of “being in a cage,” in a way that animals and people are not all that different, even though there are those constantly trying to separate each other, and how this movie really took that message and ran with it. The entire conference call was great, as we all got to hear her thoughts on everything and just how much this movie really meant to her.
 
I would absolutely recommend going to see this movie when it is released on March 31, 2017. It is a powerful movie with such an important message, and I wouldn’t miss the opportunity. Just remember to bring some tissues, you’ll definitely need them!

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Devon Biroczky writes at Devon's Paige. She is a a newly-engaged 20-something just trying to figure things out in Southern California. She spends time working on cars, playing video games, experimenting with makeup and trying new looks. She loves entertainment, fun and fashion but she is "in-between," not plus-size, so the parts just don't fit in petite clothing... Such is her dilemma.