Inside Human Zoos is a 2018 French documentary that revisits the horrible practices of Human Zoos that took place in Europe and America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The film is directed by the French historian and anthropologist, Nicolas Bancel, and features cultural icons like Abd Al Malik and Josephine Baker, who add their voice to the film's insightful commentary on the subject.
The movie displays a clear and comprehensive narrative that exposes how Human Zoos contributed to the perpetuation of racial stereotypes and inequality in the Western world. Inside Human Zoos takes a critical look at the atrocities committed against people of different races who were put on display in front of paying audiences to satisfy their curiosity and racist beliefs. The pictures of mock villages, women in human cages, and people in exotic dresses on display are all used to offer the viewers a glimpse into the disgusting ways in which human beings were degraded and emasculated.
The film gives a detailed account of the grisly practices of Human Zoos and how they contributed to shaping the way Western society has viewed people of color since then. It also marks the emergence of a global humanitarian movement that saw the beginning of the end of such discriminatory practices. Abd Al Malik and Josephine Baker, both revered figures in the Black community, lend their strong voices to the documentary and make it all the more powerful.
The Insightful commentary from historians, curators, and other academics in the documentary, such as Isabelle Merle and Pascal Blanchard, gives the viewer a deep understanding of the historical background of European colonization and imperialist fantasies. The film aims to expose the ways in which race was used as a tool to legitimize slavery, colonization, and cultural domination in the Western world. The academic framework put forward is essential to understand the complex mechanisms of power that contributed to the phenomenon of Human Zoos.
The movie attempts to offer a balance between an academic approach and an emotional one by using real footage of the exhibits themselves to showcase the humiliation and suffering of the people displayed. The film also cleverly splits the focus between historical events and their subsequent impact on communities of color, effectively highlighting the social and psychological toll of these practices.
One element that stands out in the movie is the commentary on the popular counter-argument that Human Zoo was merely a reflection of its time, simply a product of the social Darwinism's ideas that prevailed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here, the documentary provides a critical analysis of this notion and argues that it cannot excuse the humiliating practices of Human Zoos, which was nothing more than pure violence and depravity.
In conclusion, Inside Human Zoos is a profoundly insightful documentary that not only brings to light the atrocities committed against people of color during Human Zoos but also challenges viewers to confront their own prejudices and biases. The film highlights the importance of history in shaping current attitudes towards race and makes a powerful argument for the need to educate future generations about these atrocities. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in human rights, history, and social justice.
