The Zookeeper's Wife — Trailer

source:   focusfeatures.com, youtube.com

added: Thu, Nov 17th '16

Jessica Chastain is literally a lifesaver as she transforms the Warsaw Zoo into a secret shelter for Jewish families in the debut trailer for the Nazi-Era drama "The Zookeeper's Wife."

In this adaptation of Diane Ackerman's best-selling book, Chastain portrays Antonina Zabinski, a real-life Polish woman who, along with her zoologist husband, Jan Zabinski (played by Flemish actor Johan Heldenbergh, of "The Broken Circle Breakdown"), ran the daily operations of the Warsaw Zoo during the Nazi occupation of Poland. While working in total secrecy, the couple was able to save more than 300 Jews by hiding them inside various sections of the city's zoo.

Also starring acclaimed German actor Daniel Bruhl (Inglourious Basterds, Rush, Captain America: Civil War), the film is helmed by New Zealand-born director Niki Caro, of "Whale Rider" and "McFarland, USA" fame.

"The Zookeeper's Wife" opens March 31, 2017.

synopsis:
The real-life story of one working wife and mother who became a hero to hundreds during World War II. In 1939 Poland, Antonina Zabinska (portrayed by two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain) and her husband, Dr. Jan Zabinski (Johan Heldenbergh), have the Warsaw Zoo flourishing under his stewardship and her care. When their country is invaded by the Nazis, Jan and Antonina are stunned -- and forced to report to the Reich's newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck (Daniel Bruhl). To fight back on their own terms, Antonina and Jan covertly begin working with the Resistance -- and put into action plans to save lives out of what has become the Warsaw Ghetto, with Antonina putting herself and even her children at great risk.

 

directed by   Niki Caro

starring   Jessica Chastain, Daniel Bruhl, Johan Heldenbergh

release date   March 31, 2017