Documentary 'Shalom' Explores Peace and War Through Rhino's Life

The documentary "Shalom," which won awards at the Docaviv festival, centers on a rhinoceros named Shalom, born in 1979 on the day Israel signed its peace treaty with Egypt. After living for 30 years at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, the aging rhino, representing a species on the brink of extinction, loses his will to live. His devoted caretakers, Gilad Moshe, a Jew, and Roshdi Alian, a Muslim, struggle with the decision for euthanasia. The film's narrative unfolds as the rhino, symbolizing peace, is euthanized, immediately preceding the outbreak of war. Director Meital Zvieli described the zoo as a place where everyone converges, emphasizing the fundamental right to freedom. She noted that after the rhino's death in July 2023, the October 7th massacre occurred, creating a connection between the events. Zvieli, who grew up on kibbutzim and moshavim and has a background in journalism and screenwriting, previously directed "The Camera of Dr. Morris." She explained that "Shalom" was inspired by her experiences at the zoo, where she observed the dynamics between caretakers and animals, particularly during the war when the zoo was closed to the public. She cautioned against viewing the zoo as a utopian microcosm, stating, "The reality is so chaotic, so bloody." The film also touches on the zoo's role as a sanctuary for animals that don't fit into social structures, like the two young rhinos who replaced Shalom. One of them was renamed Idan in honor of Idan Amadi, a singer and actor injured in Gaza, representing a different kind of Israeli consensus. Zvieli expressed opposition to boycotts, drawing from personal experience, and stated her preference for offering aid over engaging in conflict.