Zoo (2007, Robinson Devor)

At this point, I'm sure most people have at least HEARD of the "Mr. Hands" video seen around the World Wide Web if not having seen it. The video shows a man being viciously ass-reamed by an adamant stallion. You will notice, if viewing the spectacle closely, that the massive horse cock finds it's way FAR too deep within the man's less than apt rectum , causing internal damage that lead to the man's death later that night. I'll be one to admit, after watching the video a while back (no less than 34 times), I wanted all the info I could get on this amazing internet "shock video" phenomenon. Turns out, all of my burning questions were to be answered by a little semi-documentary called "Zoo".

While not a film that perfectly breaks down the plainly unconventional desire felt by a small few who are sexually attracted to animals, "Zoo" very competently details the events that occurred in Washington around 2005 and the handful of guys involved. A group of men who met on bestiality message boards often got together at a farmhouse, drank and fucked horses. "Zoo" elaborates on the before and after of the death of Mr. Hands - including the the media coverage that followed and ultimately secured a new law against bestiality in Washington state.

The most interesting facets about the film is the use of it's beautifully shot reenactments of the case and the on-going audio interviews with the "zoophilia" enthusiasts that narrate the entire film from their perspectives. It's a peculiarly sympathetic approach to a deplorable percentage who carry out these kinky acts on animals. Of course I should mention that "Zoo" is not at all an explicit film. All of the debauchery is implied (aside from several VERY brief glimpses of the actual fatal fuckin') and the movie maintains it's tastefulness with, like I said, very sublime cinematography with a score that compliments it perfectly. Aside from being just an upfront documentary on bestiality, "Zoo" takes a happenstance involving a man being fucked to death by a horse - something I have laughing about for quite some time - and translated it in an oddly chilling and surreal way.

It's not a fast-mover, but if you dig documentaries on fucked up shit like I, and/or appreciate virile cinema, than "Zoo" is one that I highly recommend!