Zookeeper Workbook

This short is surreal, even by Guy Maddin standards. There is not much hint of plot here, despite the typical presence of inter-titles. Maddin's usual black & white, montage approach presents us with intercut images of people eating crabs, a pug and a wedding ring being dragged across a straw covered floor. The eponymous 'zookeeper' appears to be spying on these events and there are hints of perhaps a tragic love story underpinning the proceedings. Ultimately, as with most Maddin films, much is left to the viewer to unravel if they chose to, or else just appreciate the craftsmanship of the images and editing.

This is much like many other Maddin shorts, perhaps further down the surrealist path (there are definite nods to Bunuel's films here) than others.