ZOO: SAVING PRIVATE ELEPHANT

By José Alberto Hermosillo

“Zoo” poster. Photo Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films / Copyright © 2017 Jacks Film Co.Ltd

A charming family drama based on an incredible true story about a boy’s journey to rescue a baby elephant from the Bellevue Zoo in Belfast, Ireland, just as World War II begins. This film is a hidden gem!

“Zoo.” Photo Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films / Copyright © 2017 Jacks Film Co.Ltd

Young actor Art Parkinson is quite a revelation in this movie. He plays the twelve-year-old boy Tom Hall with charm and charisma on camera. During his free time, Tom joins his father, the veterinarian headman, in the zoo’s daily routine. The convalescent baby elephant is in a special care unit.

“Zoo.” Photo Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films / Copyright © 2017 Jacks Film Co.Ltd

When Tom and his father visit the baby elephant, the little creature immediately bonds with the boy.

Inspired by the great American actor and comedian Buster Keaton (“The General,” 1926), Tom names the elephant “Buster.” 

“Zoo.” Photo Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films / Copyright © 2017 Jacks Film Co.Ltd

At school, Tom is bullied by his classmates. Despite the hostile environment, he finds some allies. Among them are a friendly, quiet girl, a tall, chubby boy with his “little brother,” and a long-standing lady who has an endless love for animals.

 

Tom’s father leaves the zoo and his family to fight in the war. Thousands of people die in Ireland during the two bombings carried out by the Germans.

 

During the WWII raids, the authorities ordered the killing of all zoo animals in case they escaped and threatened public safety.

 

Tom quickly realizes that the same fate could happen to Buster, and he will do whatever it takes to save the elephant’s life.

Zoo poster  Photo Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films / Copyright © 2017 Jacks Film Co.Ltd

Regarding story structure, “Zoo” runs a little slow. The screenplay overstates every character’s refusal of the call, creating an enormous barrier to the piece’s harmonious flow.

This film needed melodic orchestration to make the story unfold smoothly, as in classic works centered on children by visionary filmmakers, such as Alfonso Cuarón’s “A Little Princess” and Agnieszka Holland’s “The Secret Garden.”   

“Zoo” distinguishes itself from other European productions of the same period, such as “The Zookeeper’s Wife,” a much more obscure film set in Poland with a larger budget. 

Straightforward, warm, and affectionate, “Zoo” focuses on loyalty and friendship. This war movie with children leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.

Another stunning war film that leaves a similar response is the French production “A Bag of Marbles.” It recounts the journey of two Jewish brothers escaping the Nazi invasion in Paris. 

The Italian Oscar© winner “Life is Beautiful” is a heartfelt story of a boy and his father inside a concentration camp during the Holocaust. 

Also, “The Book Thief.” It tells the story of an intelligent and brave girl who brings books to read to a Jewish refugee hidden in her step-parents’ basement.

“Zoo” is an adaptation of an article published in an Irish newspaper that led an exhaustive investigation to find Denise Austin, the eccentric lady who, in real life, saved the elephant while working at the zoo. For her heroic action, she was named the “elephant angel.”

“Zoo.” Photo Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films / Copyright © 2017 Jacks Film Co.Ltd

Ironically, in this film, Mrs. Austin, played by Penelope Wilton, has only a small part as a friendly neighbor and animal lover. She has nothing to do with the zoo but plenty to do with the elephant.

“Zoo.” Photo Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films / Copyright © 2017 Jacks Film Co.Ltd

Director Colin McIvor’s surprisingly well-made first feature continues a tradition of excellence in Irish Cinema.

“Zoo” features some finely written, dynamic lines, delivered by a group of terrific actors who portray unique, diverse characters in this moving family drama.

Zoo movie trailer

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Festival in LA ©2018

GOAT: WHITE BOYS DO CRY

By José Alberto Hermosillo

Surprisingly controversial, “Goat” is one of the year’s most shocking films!

“Goat” is a hazardous young-adult drama that sparks debate about the outrageous “Fraternity rituals” and bullying on campuses across America. 

 

The story focuses on two ambitious brothers with big dreams and high expectations, Brad Land (Ben Schnezert) and Brett Land (Nick Jonas). A freshman and a senior college student find themselves on opposite sides of a fraternity. 

The white youngsters party hard during a summer celebration, fueled by alcohol, drugs, and shameless sex.

Feeling left out, Brad, the introverted younger brother, leaves the party early. His insecurities drive his emotional decisions, as he can’t say “no” to a stranger who begs for a ride. 

 

Down the road, the stranger and a friend beat the hell out of him. This traumatic assault puts Brad’s well-being at risk, making his transition to college even more painful. 

In college, pledging to the Fraternity’s sickening initiation rituals becomes a living hell for all the newbies, including Brad. 

There is no place to run for those “poor, rich white kids.” 
Testosterone and adrenaline run high among the Fraternity’s members. The Seniors’ aggressive behavior is used to scare and abuse Freshmen, treating them like a “goat” ready for sacrifice (metaphorically speaking). 

The epitome of humiliation occurs when the “goats” become guinea pigs, pet toys, and other animals.

The physical and emotional assaults on the young students are pushed to the limit.

Feeling the pain, Brad, in desperation, eventually says, “I’m sick of getting scared all the time.”

At one point, Brett becomes aware of the damage he and his buddies are causing to the youngsters (including his little brother), who begin to doubt the Fraternity’s hierarchical rules. He develops an internal conflict with the dark side of the Fraternity’s moral code. 

 

The former member of the Jonas Brothers-turned-pop star, Nick Jonas, is terrific in his film debut. He plays the tough big brother with internal conflict and confidence.

 

On campuses across the country, no one seems to break the vicious cycle of abuse, as we learn that professors, counselors, principals, and those in charge of students’ well-being know about the bullying and do nothing to stop the excessive use of violence by the Fraternities, making this crime institutionalized.

Witnessing “Goat” could be essential for parents, teachers, and students to start discussions about bullying on college campuses across America.

 

Campus bullying is not limited to white male students. It affects all ethnic groups and even sorority groups (for women); it affects anyone, everywhere.

 

Other notable films about bullying in schools include the British production “The Riot Club,” Richard Linklater’s “Dazed and Confused,” the Mexican award-winning “After Lucia,” Gus Van Sant’s Palme d’Or-winning “Elephant,” and the Estonian film “Klass.”

 

The graphic violence in “Goat” is compelling and crosses the line several times. Still, the picture produced by James Franco and directed by Andrew Neel didn’t risk pushing the envelope further, making “Goat” more transcendent, consistent, and edgy. 

Actors Ben Schnetzer and Nick Jonas dug deep into their emotions to portray such powerful, unforgettable characters. However, the film needed fewer dialogues and explanations to sustain the momentum gained at the start. It needs more symbolism, punchlines, and confrontational situations to create a significant impact by the end, as “Amores Perros” and “Blue Is the Warmest Color” did years ago.

 

After seeing “Goat,” I have to ask myself: If we continue this vicious cycle of bullying, abuse, and emotional damage, what kind of world are we building for the next generations? The period of violence must end.

The “Goat” official trailer

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Festival in LA ©2016