When a giraffe named Marius was euthanized at the Copenhagen Zoo in 2014, the news spread
across the globe – from Hollywood to Chechnya. Marius’s death becomes a starting point for
Danish documentarian Max Kestner to explore questions about the very meaning of life.
Appearing on screen himself and posing questions along the way, Kestner engages activists,
scientists, and philosophers, weaving together global events and his own story of fatherhood into
a compelling, almost detective-like narrative.
Max Kestner
Max Kestner is one of Denmark’s most renowned documentary filmmakers, celebrated for his
personal and visionary storytelling. His award-winning films have been screened at international
festivals worldwide. A graduate of the National Film School of Denmark and recipient of the
prestigious Dreyer Award, Kestner creates works that often blur the boundaries between
documentary, fiction, and animation.

When a giraffe named Marius was euthanized at the Copenhagen Zoo in 2014, the news spread
across the globe – from Hollywood to Chechnya. Marius’s death becomes a starting point for
Danish documentarian Max Kestner to explore questions about the very meaning of life.
Appearing on screen himself and posing questions along the way, Kestner engages activists,
scientists, and philosophers, weaving together global events and his own story of fatherhood into
a compelling, almost detective-like narrative.
Max Kestner
Max Kestner is one of Denmark’s most renowned documentary filmmakers, celebrated for his
personal and visionary storytelling. His award-winning films have been screened at international
festivals worldwide. A graduate of the National Film School of Denmark and recipient of the
prestigious Dreyer Award, Kestner creates works that often blur the boundaries between
documentary, fiction, and animation.
across the globe – from Hollywood to Chechnya. Marius’s death becomes a starting point for
Danish documentarian Max Kestner to explore questions about the very meaning of life.
Appearing on screen himself and posing questions along the way, Kestner engages activists,
scientists, and philosophers, weaving together global events and his own story of fatherhood into
a compelling, almost detective-like narrative.
Max Kestner
Max Kestner is one of Denmark’s most renowned documentary filmmakers, celebrated for his
personal and visionary storytelling. His award-winning films have been screened at international
festivals worldwide. A graduate of the National Film School of Denmark and recipient of the
prestigious Dreyer Award, Kestner creates works that often blur the boundaries between
documentary, fiction, and animation.