Saw this at IDFA 2024, the documentary film festival in Amsterdam. Fascinating extrapolation of the upheaval after giraffe Marius was put down by the Copenhagen Zoo, an action that was misunderstood by virtually everyone world-wide. Compelling existential questions are raised and put before a variety of experts, and partly answered or at least reasoned about it while we watch and learn.
Particularly interesting were the multitude of reactions from the USA. One celebrity tried to buy Marius, but his 3-million-dollar offer was flatly refused by the zoo-director, the reaction of the latter being described as cold and devoid of animal care. A zoo owner in Chechnya was also shown a few times, having other arguments to take over Marius, but he was refused too. The remains of Marius were dissected in full public view, including children, the latter fact also misunderstood, as per a Fox News show where was said that the children watched it "in horror" (we saw nothing of the kind, merely interested looks instead of horror). And on top of all that misconduct, again as per the critics, the remains of Marius were fed to the lions, everything in public view. The zoo-director got every opportunity to explain why he did what he did, over and over telling us that all this was part of normal life and there was nothing wrong with showing it to adults and children alike.
Lots of scientists were consulted about the issues above, and many other related topics. That is where the existential questions come in. Think of what "consciousness" is (which animals have it and which not??), and what about "life"?? Despite the variety of experts consulted, there were no easy answers and no easy solutions.
All in all, a fascinating journey along notions of life/creation/existence and consciousness. Thought provoking, providing ample material to talk about after the screening. The horrified reactions all over the world went past me. I may be prejudiced because of being grown up on a farm where life and death are close by phenomena, contrary to people for whom it remains hidden where their food comes from.
