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 Zoo
(2007)
R2 / PAL DVD
Revolver Entertainment / 2008
Directed by Robinson Devor
Written by Robinson Devor & Charles Mudede
Cast: John Paulsen, Russell Hodgkinson, Forest Fousel &
Coyote
Review by Phillip Escott
We’ve all heard the story about the man who bled to death,
from internal injuries, after getting fucked by a horse,
haven’t we? Hell, some of you may have even seen the video
out there on the World Wide Web. What we have here though,
if the story behind the man who suffered that rather
unfortunate fate, known only as Mr. Hands (played by John
Paulson) to us – but here we are told the story from people
who were there, his online friends who also share Mr Hand’s
morbid desire to get down and dirty with a horse… or a goat,
bull, chicken, dog, cat… You get my drift.
The first thing that’s strikes you about Zoo is how
beautiful it looks. I know it’s a cliché now to have such a
beautiful, glossy look for something that portraying
something as hideous as Bestiality, but this really shines
and the cold, metallic look really captures you and is
pretty poetic in places. What is odd about this documentary
is that it’s mostly a recreation using actors… but narrated
by the actual people involved in the incident. It makes for
a bizarre watch and becomes a little confusing when trying
to remember who is who when the alias are being flung around
when the recount the events leading up to Mr. Hand’s death.
Director, Robinson Devor, refuses to take sides and lets
both parties have their say. Listening to Zoophiles justify
themselves, and the acts they carry out, is often amusing,
and little sad – they actually believe that the animals feel
the same way about them and are consenting to the act! Which
also brings with it another interesting point, a beast as
powerful as a horse can surely fight back when faced with
something that makes it uncomfortable? You may also find
yourself asking “Why the hell was sex with animals still
LEGAL in this part of the United States?” And as late as
2005!
Zoo also manages to humanize a person who carried out, what
most people would describe, as an inhumane practice. We
learn about Mr. Hand’s divorce and separation from the thing
he loved most – his son – and learn of his highly-stressed
job as a Boeing engineer. His friend say his only joys in
life was travelling to Washington to meet up with his
online, like-minded, chums; and share the company of the
Horses. His love for them was both psychical and mental; sex
with the animals was never top of their agenda. Interviews
with his wife also hint to a man who was deeply shamed of
himself, yet still unable to stop doing what he loved.
Those looking for some food for thought and something to
test your morals will be advised to give this one a rent.
It’s a compelling documentary that will leave you with a
subtle understanding of ‘Zoos’ or leave you a complete
stupor trying to figure out how a bloke managed to fit an
Arabian stallion wang up his back-passage – or both! |
