Movie Discovery of the Day: Zafari (2024) by Mariana Rondón

About movie: https://feelsales.com/catalogo/zafari-2/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/467717/

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33111403/

Link to watch (preview): https://pro.festivalscope.com/film/zafari-1

Zafari (2024) by Mariana Rondón: A Deep Dive: When Society Starves, Instinct Takes Over

Mariana Rondón's 2024 film Zafari is a compelling drama that utilizes a dystopian setting and a unique premise to explore profound social and human themes. The film centers on the unexpected arrival of a hippopotamus named Zafari at a small zoo located within a decaying luxury apartment complex. This event serves as a catalyst, exposing and exacerbating the deep-seated conflicts between neighbors of opposing social classes in a world grappling with scarcity and collapse.

Detailed Summary

Zafari is set in a crumbling, once-luxurious apartment building that houses a zoo. The arrival of Zafari the hippopotamus disrupts the fragile existence of the residents, particularly Ana, Edgar, and their son Bruno, a high-class family struggling with shortages of food, water, and electricity. As the external world descends further into chaos, the contained environment of the apartment building becomes a microcosm of societal breakdown. The presence of Zafari, the only creature seemingly unaffected by the pervasive scarcity, highlights the stark inequalities and intensifies the tensions between the different social strata living within the building. Ana's desperate search for food in abandoned apartments and the unsettling noises in the corridors amplify the sense of fear and uncertainty that permeates their lives.

Plot Summary

The narrative of Zafari follows the escalating conflicts and struggles for survival among the residents of a dilapidated apartment complex that also houses a small zoo, triggered by the arrival of a well-fed hippopotamus. The film depicts the breakdown of social order and the emergence of primal instincts as resources become scarce and the societal structure collapses. The interactions between the affluent residents and their lower-class neighbors, particularly those tasked with caring for Zafari, form the core of the plot, illustrating the raw impact of a dystopian reality on human behavior and relationships.

Director's Vision

Mariana Rondón, known for her exploration of identity, family, and social issues in previous works like the acclaimed Pelo Malo, brings a distinctive vision to Zafari. She uses the surreal and confined setting of the apartment-zoo complex as a powerful metaphor for a collapsing society, widely interpreted as a reflection of the sociopolitical and economic crisis in Venezuela. Her direction emphasizes the psychological impact of the dystopian environment on the characters, highlighting their descent into desperation and the erosion of moral boundaries. Rondón crafts a narrative that is both a localized drama and a broader commentary on human nature under duress, blending elements of realism with an almost fable-like quality.

Themes

• Social Class Conflict: The film starkly portrays the divide between the different social classes forced to coexist in a confined and collapsing environment, illustrating how scarcity and desperation intensify existing inequalities and create new tensions.

• Societal Disintegration: Zafari explores the breakdown of societal norms, structures, and institutions when faced with extreme crisis, showing how the absence of basic necessities leads to a struggle for survival where established rules no longer apply.

• Survival and Human Nature: The film delves into the primal instincts that emerge when survival is at stake, questioning the nature of humanity and morality in the face of hunger, fear, and uncertainty.

• Dystopian Reality: Through its exaggerated and symbolic setting, the film depicts a dystopian present or near-future, reflecting on the potential consequences of unchecked societal and economic decline.

Key Success Factors

• Powerful Metaphor: The use of the apartment building and zoo as a microcosm for societal collapse in the face of crisis provides a compelling and thought-provoking allegorical framework.

• Relevant Social Commentary: The film's themes resonate with real-world issues of inequality, scarcity, and political instability, particularly in Latin America, making it a timely and relevant work.

• Mariana Rondón's Direction: Rondón's established reputation for tackling complex social themes with a unique artistic vision contributes to the film's critical interest and festival recognition.

• Festival Recognition: Selection for prominent film festivals like San Sebastián provides significant visibility and critical attention.

Summary Short

Zafari is a dystopian drama by Mariana Rondón where the arrival of a hippopotamus in a struggling zoo located within a decaying apartment building ignites conflict between social classes and exposes the raw realities of survival in a collapsing society.

Awards and Nominations

Zafari has been recognized by several international film festivals, including being an Official Selection at the San Sebastián International Film Festival (Horizontes Latinos section), São Paulo International Film Festival, Fribourg International Film Festival, and International Film Festival of Kerala. IMDb also notes a total of 1 nomination, though the specific award is not detailed in the available information.

Critics Reception

Critical reception for Zafari has been varied, with some praising its metaphorical depth and social commentary, while others found aspects of its narrative less effective.

• Cineuropa: Roberto Oggiano describes the film as a "dystopian tale set in a semi-abandoned zoo in a city reminiscent of Caracas, in a metaphor for the run-down reality of modern-day Venezuelan society." 1  However, the review suggests the story becomes "increasingly confused and incoherent" as it progresses and that the satire could be more directed.   

• The Film Verdict: This review offers a more positive perspective, highlighting how the film "lays bare the situation of dire poverty, hunger and violence" and uses the setting as a powerful metaphor. It delves into the characters' struggles and the film's exploration of human nature under extreme conditions.

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics generally acknowledge the film's ambitious themes and its allegorical representation of societal collapse and class struggle. While the metaphorical approach is appreciated, there are differing opinions on the execution and narrative coherence.

Reviews

Reviews echo the critical reception, with some viewers finding the film's portrayal of a dystopian society and its impact on human behavior impactful, while others may find the allegorical style challenging or the narrative disjointed. The film's strength lies in its ability to provoke thought and discussion on pressing social issues.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews suggest that Zafari is a film that sparks contemplation on themes of survival, inequality, and societal breakdown, even if individual interpretations of its effectiveness may vary.

Production

Zafari is an international co-production involving multiple countries. The film was shot in the Dominican Republic.

Production Companies

• Artefactos S.F. (Venezuela)

• Klaxon Cultura Audiovisual (Brazil)

• Paloma Negra Films (Mexico)

• Sudaca Films (Peru)

• Still Moving (France)

• Quijote Films (Chile)

• Selene Films (Dominican Republic)

Sales Companies

Feelsales (Spain) is the sales agent for Zafari, handling its international distribution rights..

Release Date on Streaming

Information regarding a streaming release date for Zafari (2024) is not available.

Theatrical Release

Zafari had a theatrical release in Spain on September 22, 2024.

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Thought-Provoking Story: The film's unique premise and allegorical approach offer a compelling and thought-provoking narrative on societal collapse and human behavior.

• Strong Social Commentary: Zafari provides powerful commentary on relevant social issues such as class inequality, scarcity, and the impact of crisis on individuals and communities.

• Mariana Rondón's Filmmaking: For those interested in the work of Mariana Rondón and her distinctive style of exploring complex themes, this film offers another example of her artistic vision.

• Festival Darling: The film's selection at multiple international film festivals indicates its artistic merit and appeal to a global cinema audience.

Why to Watch Movie

• Explore Dystopian Themes: If you are interested in films that present challenging dystopian visions and explore their impact on human society.

• Experience Allegorical Storytelling: To witness how a film uses metaphor and symbolism to convey deeper social and political messages.

• Engage with Relevant Issues: To engage with a story that reflects on contemporary global challenges such as inequality, resource scarcity, and societal instability.

• Appreciate International Co-production: To see an example of a collaborative film production involving multiple countries and perspectives.

What Movie Trend Film is Following

The film is following the trend of dystopian and allegorical cinema, using speculative or exaggerated settings to comment on present-day social and political issues. This trend allows filmmakers to explore complex societal problems indirectly, offering critical perspectives through symbolic narratives.

What Big Social Trend is Following

Zafari is following the big social trend of increasing global awareness and concern regarding social and economic inequality and the fragility of societal structures. The film taps into anxieties about resource scarcity, the consequences of political and economic instability, and the potential breakdown of social order, themes that resonate widely in the current global climate.

Final Verdict

Zafari is an ambitious and thematically rich film by Mariana Rondón that uses a striking allegory to confront pressing social issues. While its narrative approach may be challenging for some viewers, its powerful imagery and relevant commentary on class conflict and societal disintegration make it a significant work within contemporary Latin American cinema.

Recommendations for Filmmakers

• Embrace Allegory and Metaphor: Utilizing metaphorical settings and narratives can be a powerful way to address complex and sensitive social or political themes without being overtly didactic.

• Focus on Character Psychology in Crisis: Exploring how extreme circumstances impact the psychological states and moral choices of characters can create compelling and resonant drama.

• Leverage International Co-production: Collaborating with production companies from different countries can provide access to diverse resources, funding, and perspectives, enriching the film and expanding its potential reach.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Films with Strong Social Commentary: The industry should continue to support and promote films that courageously tackle difficult and relevant social and political issues, even if they are presented through unconventional narratives.

• Recognize the Importance of Film Festivals: Film festivals play a crucial role in providing a platform and gaining visibility for independent and internationally co-produced films with significant artistic and thematic value.

• Address Distribution Challenges for Arthouse Films: Finding effective distribution strategies for art house and socially-conscious films is essential to ensure they reach a wider audience beyond the festival circuit.

Final Conclusions

Zafari stands as a potent allegorical commentary on the human condition in the face of societal collapse, driven by Mariana Rondón's distinctive vision. Its exploration of class conflict, survival, and the breakdown of social order through the lens of a decaying apartment-zoo complex offers a critical reflection on contemporary global challenges. The film's journey through international festivals highlights its artistic merit and the continued importance of cinema as a medium for social critique and dialogue.