A Hollywood Film About Antonina and Jan Żabiński

KJ, 16 November 2016
The story of the Żabiński family is to become a Hollywood movie. During World War II, they ran the Warsaw Zoo where they hid Jews. Jessica Chastain will star as Antonina.

The film will be based upon the book of American author Diane Ackerman, “Asylum: The Story of Jews Hidden in the Warsaw Zoo” (Azyl. Opowieść o Żydach ukrywanych w warszawskim ZOO), written utilising the memoirs of Antonina Żabińska. The book was published in the USA in 2007 and was on the New York Times Bestseller List for many months. The film is to be ready for screening at next year’s Cannes Film Festival.

During the occupation, the Żabiński couple saved many Jews from death, Jews who were escapees from the Warsaw ghetto. Jan and Antonina hid them on the zoo grounds - in their villa and also in the animal enclosures. After the War, they were honoured with the title of Righteous Among the Nations. Read more about Jan and Antonina Żabiński.

Visit the virtual exhibition "The House Under a Wacky Star" about Jews in hiding at the Warsaw ZOO.