Zafari

A dark, dystopian dramedy from Venezuela, where the newly arrived hippopotamus Zafari in the local zoo seems to be the only one with enough food.

The zoo is located in the middle of a middle-class neighborhood inhabited by people from various social backgrounds. All eyes are on the newcomer Zafari, who seems to breathe new life into the local community. Ana, Edgar, and their teenage son Bruno watch the unfolding drama through binoculars from the rundown luxury building they live in, while they themselves lack everything: food, water, and electricity.

Ana breaks into abandoned apartments in the building under the pretense of being a «caretaker», but is in fact searching for remnants left behind by those who have fled. Edgar watches the feeding of the hippopotamus with hungry eyes. Bruno wanders around the building’s small swimming pool, growing increasingly distant. Everyone just wants to escape, but when a state of emergency hits the city, it becomes impossible. Everything points toward collapse and primitive instincts. The only one enjoying themselves is Zafari – for as long as it lasts.

Lasse Skagen