The MSPIFF just announced this year’s award winners, which you can read about here. I just started drafting my reviews of these two documentaries when the news dropped, so let’s just say I’m thrilled with the selections!

Checkpoint Zoo

Feldman Ecopark in Kharkiv used to be one of Ukraine’s favorite animal sanctuaries, but it ended up right in the middle of the conflict with Russia. Director Joshua Zeman jumps straight into the heart of the action, showing how urgent it is for people to reach the animals before the shelling resumes. While the news has been filled with reports of the Russian invasion and ongoing bombings, seeing it unfold here makes the reality of the situation hit much harder.

Along with actual documentary clips, Zeman also includes short videos recorded by the volunteers and staff for their social media. This adds a genuine and intense vibe while also giving us insights into the personalities of the people who risk their lives for the animals. Ecopark owner Oleksandr Feldman, a prominent Ukrainian businessman and parliamentarian, opens up not only the park to the film crew but also his home, which becomes an animal sanctuary, kind of like Noah’s Ark, but he doesn’t just stick to two of each animal. It’s obvious that Feldman has a deep love for animals; you can really sense his heartbreak when he sees them in pain.

Even amidst such devastation, the film isn’t all gloom and doom; there are plenty of humorous moments sprinkled throughout. I’m struck by how calm and cheerful these volunteers are during such a cataclysmic event, especially Tymofii, a veterinarian PhD student who brought his siblings to help out. There’s also Andreii, a dad of two and a former drug addict who turned his life around thanks to one of Feldman’s charity programs, which ignited his love for animals.

You won’t find a dull second in the whole 1 hour and 43 minutes, but the most intense moment has to be when they evacuated the big cats. They could only pull it off after getting a donation of powerful tranquilizers to calm these fierce creatures. Even then, it was still a nail-biter watching 5-6 people handle just one lion. “Even if he’s dead, I’d still be afraid of him!” one volunteer quipped, much to the agreement of everyone else. Of course, Zeman doesn’t forget about the devastation of human loss, which sadly becomes a frequent reality in this region. One staff member perished when the lions became aggressive because of psychological distress, and a young kid was fatally injured during heavy shelling.

Checkpoint Zoo exemplifies the nature of true heroes–they’re ordinary people who accomplish impossible missions. The epilogue tells us the relatively small group of staff and volunteers managed to rescue 4700 animals! I hope and pray that peace will prevail and that we get to see not just Kharkiv but the rest of Ukraine restored.

The Last Journey

Filip: “Is there anywhere that doesn’t hurt?” 
Lars: “My forehead.”

What a brilliant way to introduce the main characters in a film, and I’m instantly won over. The one who’s in a lot of pain is Lars Hammar, an 80-year-old former French teacher who’s lost his zest for life, and his son Filip is determined to get it back.

From various vacation clips and photos, it’s evident that Lars was a vivacious man who loved life. He often took his family to a French seaside town as he’s a quintessential Francophile who loves everything about French culture, its language, and its people. Knowing that, Filip plans to embark on a road trip to France in an orange Renault 4 (the same car the Halmars used to take on holidays), aiming to bring a spark of joy back into his dad’s life. Prior to watching this, I didn’t realize that it’s made by the renowned Swedish TV duo Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson. That explains the high production quality of this documentary.

Filip and Fredrik go above and beyond to bring back the aspects of French culture that Lars cherished, hoping to revive the joy he once experienced. They even took it a step further by hiring actors to stage a fake ‘fight’ over a small traffic jam. Lars’ reaction while he observes from a café is absolutely priceless! Along the way, it’s wonderful to see Lars perk up again, though the trip is just as crucial for Filip, the son who’s in denial, and eventually he has to face the harsh realities of his parents growing older. Some of the shenanigans are pretty silly, but my favorite moment is when Filip arranges for a movie night with his dad in an outdoor courtyard. It turns out that the ‘movie’ is actually a collection of videos featuring Lars’ former students talking about how much he supported them and how his kindness made a lasting impression.

It’s impossible not to adore Lars, who manages to keep his sense of humor even as his health declines. I love that the movie also pays homage to teachers, highlighting how impactful and unforgettable the great ones can be. The Last Journey is one of the funniest, most joyful, and life-affirming films I’ve seen this year… it certainly makes me feel nostalgic for my late mom, who used to take my brothers and me on holidays. It’s worth noting that this film doesn’t follow the standard documentary style with talking heads, but plays out almost like a narrative. The picturesque scenery of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, a commune in the French Riviera, is so beautifully shot that this film could serve as its tourism video.

Thoughts on either one of these films? I’d love to hear it!

///