separateurCreated with Sketch.

New documentary follows true story behind ‘The Zookeeper’s Wife’

whatsappfacebooktwitter-xemailnative
J-P Mauro - published on 06/04/21
whatsappfacebooktwitter-xemailnative
When WWII broke out, one Catholic family sheltered hundreds of Jews in Warsaw.

The true story behind the 2017 major motion picture The Zookeeper’s Wife is the focus of an upcoming documentary. The film, titled Of Animals and Men, is scheduled for release in theaters across the U.S. on June 22, 2021. 

Of Animals and Men tells the story of the selfless efforts of Jan and Antonina Żabiński to protect Jews from persecution by the Nazis. The Catholic family's work in the Warsaw underground saved the lives of 300 people. Antonina Żabińska, the subject herself, narrates the documentary.

The film utilizes archived footage of the zoo from before the war, which is juxtaposed with shots of Nazi-occupied Warsaw. Included in the documentary are interviews with survivors and reenacted scenes with the animals. There are also a shots of the real Żabiński family at the zoo and their villa. 

Of the documentary, Czajka said in a press release: 

Of Animals and Men originally was released in 2019, just prior to the world pandemic. Now, as theaters are reopening, Fathom, its distributor, is ensuring this important film receives a wide audience. Tickets are already on sale for this limited release. 

Newsletter
Did you enjoy this article? Would you like to read more like this?

Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. It’s free!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.