Giraffada
Filmfest 2014
Germany, France, Italy, Palestinian Territories 2013
Original version with German subtitles
(Original: Arabic, English, Hebrew)
German Premiere
Director: Rani Massalha
Section: Spotlight
Yacine is the veterinarian of the only zoo remaining in the Palestinian West Bank. He lives alone with his 10-year-old son, Ziad. The kid has a special bond with the two giraffes in the zoo. He seems to be the only one to communicate with them. After an air raid in the region, the male giraffe dies. His mate, Rita, won't survive unless the veterinarian finds her a new companion. The only zoo that might provide this animal is located in Tel Aviv...
Pyramide International
Scenes at the border crossing are routine, but a sequence set in an underpass, in which Yacine is confronted by hostile Israeli soldiers, has genuine power. Also noteworthy is how the director shows Yacine's frustration at having to combat not just the Occupation, but also corrupt Palestinians in the guise of zoo director Marwan.
Variety
Cast: Saleh Bakri, Laure de Clermont, Roschdy Zem, Ahmed Bayatra, Tarek Copti
Credits
Screenplay: Rani Massalha, Original von/ by: Xavier Nemo
Director of Photography: Manuel Teran
Film Editor: Carlotta Christiani
Composer: Benjamin Grospiron
Production Designer: Yoel Herzberg
Costume Design: Shams Shaloufi
Sound: Christoph Schilling, Christophe Etrillard, Roberto Cappannelli
Producer: Antoine de Clermont-Tonnere
Production Company: MACT Productions
Co-Producer: Bettina Brokemper, Lionello Cerri
World Sales: Pyramide International
Director: Rani Massalha
