Germany / 2024
German, Swahili, English, Hebrew, Mandarin Chinese, Farsi, Tamasheq; subtitles in English
103 min
Suitable for all ages
Director: Lea Hartlaub
Screenplay: Lea Hartlaub
Cast: Evan Kipyegon, Roy Carr-Hartley
Production: Saksa
Print Source: Ramonda
Essay Film | Documentary

Screenings

According to Egyptologist Adolf Erman, the hieroglyph “sr”, which signifies giraffe, means ”to announce, to foresee, or to predict”. Named after this hieroglyph, the film revolving around giraffes simultaneously tells a story about giraffes and much more.

Through the long-necked and slightly comical-looking animal, the film addresses political power relations, colonialism, culture, and religion. Additionally, the documentary takes the viewer to a German contemporary art museum, a giraffe manor, Israel and Palestine, Kenya, and an exotic game ranch in Texas.

With a stationary and distant camera, the film appears like a series of dioramas where people swarm and giraffes move leisurely in their own world. In an essay-like manner, the film does not provide definitive answers about giraffes or humans, but rather meanders contemplatively around its subject.

Nelia Naumanen