Ep 1. The Zookeeper's Wife
- March 20, 2017
HBO's award-winning series First Look returns for its 26th season with a fascinating look at the making of the new film, The Zookeeper's Wife. Based on the bestselling book by Diane Ackerman, this gripping drama tells the true story of Antonina Zabinski (played by Jessica Chastain) and her husband Jan (Johan Heldenbergh), who risked their lives to save over 300 Jews during the Nazi occupation of Poland.
In this episode, viewers will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, which was shot on location in Poland. Director Niki Caro (Whale Rider, McFarland USA) and the cast and crew reveal how they brought this incredible true story to life on the big screen.
We'll hear from Chastain, who discusses the challenges of playing a real-life hero and the importance of telling stories about women who have made a difference. We'll also meet Heldenbergh, who shares his thoughts on the bravery and resilience of the characters he portrays.
In addition, viewers will get an intimate look at the real-life Zookeeper's Wife, Antonina Zabinski, through interviews with her daughter Teresa and granddaughter Rysia. They discuss Antonina's bravery and compassion, and how she and Jan were able to use their position at the Warsaw Zoo to save so many lives.
The episode also explores the film's stunning costumes and production design, which recreate the Warsaw of the 1940s in vivid detail. Production designer Suzie Davies takes us on a tour of the sets, which included building a full-scale replica of the Warsaw Zoo, and costume designer Bina Daigeler discusses the research and collaboration involved in creating the film's period costumes.
Finally, we'll see how the filmmakers used digital effects to bring the animals of the zoo to life on screen, with help from the visual effects team at Moving Picture Company.
Whether you're a fan of historical dramas, true stories of heroism, or just great filmmaking, this episode of HBO's First Look is a must-watch. Get ready to step behind the scenes and discover the incredible story of The Zookeeper's Wife.
