In the early days of the Ukraine-Russian war, the Feldman Ecopark, a beloved animal refuge in Ukraine's second largest city, found itself caught in the crossfire. With the invading Russian army on one side and the Ukrainian front line on the other, thousands of animals were left trapped with little food and water. Against all odds, a courageous team of zookeepers and volunteers risked their lives to embark on a seemingly impossible mission: bringing these innocent creatures to safety.

Set against the unique backdrop of the Ukraine war, Checkpoint Zoo offers a fresh perspective on the unintended victims of human conflict. Through the eyes of these trapped animals, the film examines the heartbreaking consequences of war while celebrating the extraordinary bravery and compassion of those who fought to save them. With gripping interviews and powerful footage captured by the participants themselves, this documentary sheds light on an often overlooked aspect of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, reminding us of the indomitable spirit of those who refuse to abandon hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.––Jarod Neece

Joshua Zeman