Niki Caro discusses The Zookeeper’s Wife

April 2, 2017

A DGA Q&A in Los Angeles

The true story of a couple who helped save hundreds of people and animals during the German invasion of Poland is retold in Director Niki Caro’s new biographical drama, The Zookeeper’s Wife.

Set in 1939, Caro’s film reveals the amazing true story of Antonina Zabinski and her husband, Dr. Jan Zabinski, the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo. After the Nazi invasion, the Zabinskies are forced to report to the Reich's newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck, but they also begin covertly working with the Resistance and help hundreds of Polish Jews escape from the infamous Warsaw Ghetto.

Following the DGA membership screening on April 2 in Los Angeles, Caro sat down with Director Lesli Linka Glatter (Homeland), to discuss the making of The Zookeeper’s Wife.

In addition to The Zookeeper’s Wife, Caro’s credits include the feature films McFarland, USA, A Heavenly Vintage, North Country, Memory & Desire and the Humanitas Prize-winning Whale Rider. Caro has been a DGA member since 2005.

You can listen to Caro's Q&A by clicking the podcast episode embedded below. You can find all DGA podcast episodes here.

Pictures

Print and on set photos courtesy of Focus Features.

View slideshow

Director Niki Caro on the set of her new biographical drama, The Zookeeper’s Wife.

Jessica Chastain as Antonina Zabinski in Director Niki Caro’s The Zookeeper’s Wife.

Director Niki Caro discusses a scene with actor Jessica Chastain on the set of The Zookeeper’s Wife.

Johan Heldenbergh and Jessica Chastain as Jan and Antonina Zabinski in Director Niki Caro’s The Zookeeper’s Wife.

Director Lesli Linka Glatter served as moderator of the discussion with Director Niki Caro following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of Caro’s drama, The Zookeeper’s Wife.

Iddo Goldberg as Maurycy Fraenkel in Director Niki Caro’s The Zookeeper’s Wife.

Director Niki Caro (front row, second from right) poses for a group shot with members of her cast and crew from The Zookeeper’s Wife

Michael McElhatton as Jerzyk Director Niki Caro’s The Zookeeper’s Wife.

Directors Lesli Linka Glatter (moderator) and Niki Caro pose for a photo following the Los Angeles DGA membership screening of Caro’s drama, The Zookeeper’s Wife.

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