Being the recipient of DVDs from studios both large and small, I occasionally get films that cause me to think twice about my chosen profession / hobby. I'm not talking about bad films, because after all, bad films can still be a lot of fun. No, what I'm referring to are those films that broach subjects that are highly taboo in nature and almost make the subject… understandable. Just last night I sat down to check out a new documentary being released by ThinkFilm called, "Zoo." Now I could lie and say that I requested the film because I thought it might be some sort of look at the work of Jack Hanna. Or perhaps it sounded like it could possibly show what goes on behind the scenes of an average zoo exposing the dark side of animal upkeep. But no. I have to admit that when I requested "Zoo", I knew exactly what it was about. In nutshell, it is a documentary about people called 'zoos', who not only love horses… they looooooovvvvvve horses.

Before you think I'm some lurid voyeur wanting to hear about people who treat horses (or any animals) as their sexual partners, you'd be wrong. But I do have a fascination, disgusted though I may be, with learning about people whose existence is marred by bizarre appetites. Whether it is someone as harmless as 'Furries' (the people who dress up as animals for fun and… well, you know…) or the worst serial killers, I simply cannot comprehend the thoughts or feeling that go through these people's minds. Even pedophiles (like the members of NAMBLA), who I absolutely revile as the lowest form of humanity, make for intriguing subjects of documentaries. Hearing this particular type of moron try to explain why what they do is so wonderful makes for quite the laugh in an otherwise revolting topic. Watching documentaries and reading books is the closest I can get, or would ever want to.

In the case of "Zoo", director Robinson Devor hits us with the news item that appeared back in 1995 that told of a Seattle man by the name of Kenneth Pinyan who died under the most peculiar of circumstances. It seems his colon was perforated after… oh this so difficult to even type… having sex with a horse. (Brings a whole new meaning to the term "Whoaaa Nellie!!") At first, this discovery was a bit shocking. After all Pinyan was a seemingly normal guy working as an engineer for Boeing. Who knew? Well, it appears a lot of people not only knew about his… extracurricular activities… they shared in them.

We learn through first hand interviews about a group of men who met through the Internet (where else?) and started getting together on weekends for barbecues and uuuhhh… horseback riding since, after all, bestiality wasn't illegal in Washington state until very recently. (Whatever happened to playing badminton?) Most of the men who agreed to be interviewed did not want to be on camera (understandably), so Devor instead cast a 'stable' of actors to play them in reenactments. Most of the reenactments are very tame though Devor's cinematography style is very creative.

There was one member of the group who did agree to be seen on camera, and going only by the name 'Coyote' and I think that's enough to give you the idea of just how left center this guy is living. Devor also interviewed Jenny Edwards, who was the animal handler who rescued the horse in question. Her thoughts on the matter are extremely interesting. Through all of the interviews and reenactments, "Zoo" attempts to remain detached. However, most of the time we are only hearing one side of the story and that side definitely tries to defend the acts.

"Zoo" is every bit as interesting as I expected, but it also every bit as repulsive as I expected. Not so much because of what is shown or implied… but the very idea itself. Yes, they make a good case as to the validity and need of their actions but that's only because of how well they present it. But if you look past what they are saying and consider the reality of it, what they do is still wrong in every sense of the word. I recommend listening to the commentary track by Devor, who is joined by co-writer Charles Mudede. The viewpoints touched upon there make for even more conversation fodder for viewers.

There are a lot of horrible things that go on in this world. There are a lot of disgusting things that go on in this world. A part of me wants to know about them all in order to keep them at bay. Raising two children however and knowing what kind of world they are going into, makes me wonder if ignorance really is bliss.

Directed by: Robinson Devor
Extras: Filmmaker Commentary Featuring Writer / Director Robinson Devor and Writer Charles Mudede
Specifications: Widescreen (1.78:1), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Studio: ThinkFilm
Release Date: 9/18/2007
Region 1
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Website

We'll give Zoo a B.