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Zoo

Name: Zoo
Director: Bert Haanstra
Released: 1961
Duration: 10 min

Representation Score

0.1/10

Minimal

1961

Director

Bert Haanstra

Runtime

10 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Bert Haanstra’s *Zoo* is a formalist exploration of cinematic rhythm rather than a study of human social dynamics. Through the use of a hidden camera and the omission of dialogue, the film highlights the rhythmic similarities between humans and animals via montage. Since the film avoids human narrative and characterization, it operates outside traditional frameworks of identity politics. While it does not actively promote traditional hierarchies, it lacks the character-driven ability to act necessary for characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity. The film’s significance lies in its use of movement to highlight commonalities between species, rather than in the depiction of human social structures.

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Category Breakdown

Does Zoo have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

Since the film focuses solely on animal subjects without any human characters or dialogue, there is no depiction of sexual orientation.

How does Zoo portray gender?

Minimal

With no human cast members and no narrative character arcs, the film does not depict gendered social roles or subvert gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Zoo?

Minimal

The film concentrates entirely on the natural movements of animals, functioning as a rhythmic study of movement rather than a vehicle for racial or ethnic themes.

How does Zoo represent religion and culture?

Limited

By avoiding human commentary, the film steers clear of promoting singular moralities. However, the zoo setting remains a traditional Western institution.

Does Zoo include disability representation?

Minimal

As there are no human subjects depicted in this work, there is no representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Avoids promoting singular moralities or religious dogmas by omitting human commentary.
Ironic musical score and observational style subtly shift focus away from human dominance.
Rhythmic montage deconstructs traditional anthropocentric hierarchies by finding parallels between species.

Limited or Absent

Lacks human characters, preventing any depiction of gender, race, or sexual orientation.
Setting of a zoo remains a traditional Western institution without explicit critique.
Absence of human narrative means there is no representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

A perfect, fast and hilarious montage. Using images from Artis (Amsterdam Zoo), Bert Haanstra shows that a couple of similarities can be discovered between human and animal. Particularly the manner in which human and ape are confronted with each other, is significant. The images speak for themselves, human voices or commentary is absent. The ironic music of Pim Jacobs does add an extra dimension to the whole. With regards to human and animal Haanstra limits himself for the time being to this short film, recorded with a hidden camera. Later on, in several big films, he would return to this subject.

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