#OOTW2023

→ BACK TO THE FESTIVAL

THE TAXIDERMIST

by René Piazentin (Brazil) , translated by Sughey Ramírez

Unlike other animals, vision is a human’s most developed sense. The stuff on the outside, what’s visible, defines identity more than anything else.

An orphan. A couple of giraffes. An overqualified pizza delivery man. Sparring horses. All would like a word!

René Piazentin’s post-apocalyptic tale, THE TAXIDERMIST, was inspired by a real-life stuffed animal zoo in a conflict zone in the Middle East. VICE once described the zoo as “a prison within a prison” —and let’s just say a host of unlikely characters make a strong case for this when Dr.Sharif is approached by the young Lola with a special request. She’d like her dog stuffed, and not just that, she’d like to do it herself.

Dr. Sharif’s skills? Questionable. His materials? Also questionable. His gnawing need to hold on to something? Purpose? Beauty? Undeniable, and as it turns out, highly debated by those closest to him.

What is preserved through this process and for whom? Who gets to decide? And does it all really just come down to the stuff on the outside?

BOOK HERE