MARCO DE STEFANIS

WAITING FOR GIRAFFES
Directed by Marco De Stefanis.

Veterinarian Sami Khader (Dr Sami) dreams of becoming member of international zoo association EAZA in order to welcome new giraffes in his zoo. The zoo in Qalqilya, a small city on the border of the Israeli occupied West bank, hardly manages to survive after having lived through two intifadas during which they lost part of their livestock, most notably the giraffes. The non-cooperative Israeli’s authorities sometimes seem to be the least of his problems.

Will Dr Sami succeed in joining the international zoos community and having giraffes walking around in his zoo again one day? Or will this become another symbol of the Palestinian Utopia? The answer to that question does not only show the passion and endurance of one individual, but also gives a unique, sometimes humoristic, parallel to the reality of the Israeli-Palestinian situation.

REVIEWS Waiting For Giraffes - A tall order for an impossible zoo

WAITING FOR GIRAFFES
Directed by Marco De Stefanis.

Veterinarian Sami Khader (Dr Sami) dreams of becoming member of international zoo association EAZA in order to welcome new giraffes in his zoo. The zoo in Qalqilya, a small city on the border of the Israeli occupied West bank, hardly manages to survive after having lived through two intifadas during which they lost part of their livestock, most notably the giraffes. The non-cooperative Israeli’s authorities sometimes seem to be the least of his problems.

Will Dr Sami succeed in joining the international zoos community and having giraffes walking around in his zoo again one day? Or will this become another symbol of the Palestinian Utopia? The answer to that question does not only show the passion and endurance of one individual, but also gives a unique, sometimes humoristic, parallel to the reality of the Israeli-Palestinian situation.

REVIEWS Waiting For Giraffes - A tall order for an impossible zoo