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Checkpoint Zoo

Play trailer 2:54 Poster for Checkpoint Zoo Now Playing 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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Critics Reviews

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Nicolas Rapold New York Times Checkpoint Zoo portrays a caged and dependent menagerie that bewilderingly experienced humans at their worst and, fortunately, their best. Aug 15, 2025 Full Review Dennis Harvey Variety 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. Jan 8, 2025 Full Review Stephen Silver The SS Ben Hecht It’s certainly an admirable effort, both the animal rescue itself and the warzone documentation of it Sep 7, 2025 Full Review Lynn Venhaus AWFJ.org 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. Sep 6, 2025 Full Review Anne Brodie What She Said 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. Rated: 4/4 Aug 29, 2025 Full Review Megan McLachlan The Contending 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. Aug 15, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alice S It was very moving seeing such heroic actions. it also emphazised how horrendous and destructive war is. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/04/25 Full Review Steven S Unbelievable! Absolutely must see if you love animals. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/02/25 Full Review Barry 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! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/19/25 Full Review zachary m This was an amazing documentary. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/17/25 Full Review Donald The move is a total success and a brilliant documentary. It rallies public support for Ukranians and the saving of wild animals. I strongly recommend it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/17/25 Full Review Cynthia This movie is a must see. It is riveting, emotional, thought, provoking, so searching, essential for understanding, life, and community and animals, both human and non-human.. I am writing this review after having just seen it. Its going to take some time for me to wrap my head around it and get words right. It is a must say. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/17/25 Full Review 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