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Bestiaire is a 2012 documentary film directed by Denis Côté. The movie is a unique visual experience that invites the audience to observe and reflect upon the relationship between humans and animals. The film features a collection of stunning images of various animals living in a zoo located in Quebec, Canada.

Throughout the movie, the images of the animals are juxtaposed with the images of the visitors to the zoo, as well as the zookeepers, maintenance workers, and other staff members that work there. The documentary captures moments of interaction between humans and animals, from the care and feeding of the creatures to the astonishment and wonder of visitors witnessing these creatures for the first time.

There is no narrative or dialogue in the film; instead, it relies on the power of its striking visuals to convey its message. The animals ranging from a lion, ostrich, deer to snakes, tigers, flamingos, and many more on display are used as a metaphor for the human condition.

Côté's vision is to put the audience in the shoes of the zoo’s inhabitants; the film takes a fly-on-the-wall approach, with visits to various enclosures, featuring fascinating footage of the animals, including elephants, lions, elk, and even insects.

The documentary unfolds like a series of splendid photographs that have been brought to life. The zoo location is an essential part of the film; it was shot in Parc Safari nature reserve, Quebec. The stunning natural backdrop of the zoo reinforces the film’s theme of the relationship between humans and nature.

Through the film, we begin to understand the complexity of the animals' behavior, their struggle to thrive in captive conditions, and the different ways humans interact with them. Bestiaire is a captivating and thought-provoking film, asking questions about the human desire to observe and control other living things.

The images of the animals on display are awe-inspiring, making the audience feel as if they are in the zoo, alongside the humans and animals that coexist within it. There is a sense of contempt in the movie due to the harsh realities of the zoo, as the animals are in captivity and limited to small confined spaces, which induces feelings of sadness.

Additionally, there is no narration, and no interviews are conducted, so it is up to the audience to interpret what they see on screen, as the film provides no further explanation of the events occurring in the movie.

Overall, Bestiaire is an excellent film that explores the relationship between humans and the animal kingdom. It is a visually stunning documentary, offering a unique perspective on our understanding of animals and the world we inhabit. The images are both captivating and thought-provoking, leaving the audience with a sense of wonder and a newfound perspective on the complex and delicate relationship between humans and animals.

Bestiaire is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 71.