6.9
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Zarafa (2012)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Viewer Rating
Rating: 6.9
Overview
Inspired by the true story of the first giraffe to visit France, Zarafa is a sumptuously animated and stirring adventure, and a throwback to a bygone era of hand-drawn animation and epic storytelling set among sweeping CinemaScope vistas of parched desert, wind-swept mountains and open skies. Under the cover of darkness a small boy, Maki, loosens the shackles that bind him and escapes into the desert night. Pursued by slavers across the moon-lit savannah, Maki meets Zarafa, a baby giraffe – and an orphan, just like him – as well as the nomad Hassan, Prince of the Desert. Hassan takes them to Alexandria for an audience with the Pasha of Egypt, who orders him to deliver the exotic animal as a gift to King Charles of France.
Starring Cast
Bias Dimensions
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
Islam: Positive
Overview
Inspired by the true story of the first giraffe to visit France, Zarafa is a sumptuously animated and stirring adventure, and a throwback to a bygone era of hand-drawn animation and epic storytelling set among sweeping CinemaScope vistas of parched desert, wind-swept mountains and open skies. Under the cover of darkness a small boy, Maki, loosens the shackles that bind him and escapes into the desert night. Pursued by slavers across the moon-lit savannah, Maki meets Zarafa, a baby giraffe – and an orphan, just like him – as well as the nomad Hassan, Prince of the Desert. Hassan takes them to Alexandria for an audience with the Pasha of Egypt, who orders him to deliver the exotic animal as a gift to King Charles of France.
Starring Cast
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Primary
The film's central thesis explicitly promotes progressive ideology by critiquing historical injustices like slavery and colonialism, advocating for freedom, compassion, and environmental respect through its narrative of liberation and the return to natural order.
The animated film naturally incorporates a diverse cast, featuring an African protagonist and characters from various backgrounds, consistent with its 19th-century setting spanning Africa and France. The narrative addresses historical injustices, including a critique of slavery and subtle colonial undertones, which are integral to the story's context.
Secondary
The film portrays Hassan, a devout Bedouin, as a wise, kind, and heroic figure who guides and protects Maki and Zarafa. While slave traders operate in a Muslim-majority region, their actions are clearly depicted as villainous and are not attributed to the religion of Islam itself. The narrative celebrates Hassan's virtues, implicitly aligning with a positive view of his faith.
Zarafa is an animated adventure film that does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. The story centers on the journey of a young boy and a giraffe from Africa to France, focusing on their bond and the challenges they face.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The film features original characters created for this specific story. While inspired by a historical event, its main human characters do not have prior canonical or historical genders to compare against. The historical giraffe's gender aligns with its portrayal in the film.
Zarafa is an original animated film, not an adaptation of a pre-existing work with established character races. The main characters were created for this specific film, thus there is no prior canonical or historical race to be swapped.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
6.9
6.8
Critic Ratings
7.6
6.4
More Like This
Leans Progressive
6.9
Mia and the White Lion
(2018)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
7.0
Two Brothers
(2004)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
7.7
Oceans
(2010)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
7.4
Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem
(2003)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Progressive
7.8
Misericordia
(2024)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Progressive
7.5
The Bad Guys 2
(2025)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Progressive
6.7
Ferdinand
(2017)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Progressive
7.7
Les Misérables
(2019)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
Leans Progressive
8.1
Chicken Run
(2000)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
7.8
Luca
(2021)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
7.1
Horton Hears a Who!
(2008)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
7.0
The Journey to Melonia
(1989)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Low
Leans Progressive
8.3
Toy Story 4
(2019)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Neutral
Female Combat: Yes
Progressive
7.5
ParaNorman
(2012)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Neutral
Leans Progressive
8.2
Moana
(2016)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Center
7.3
Kung Fu Panda 2
(2011)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Female Combat: Yes
Progressive
6.9
Spies in Disguise
(2019)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: High
Progressive
7.1
8 Women
(2002)
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Leans Progressive
6.8
Smallfoot
(2018)
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: Moderate
Leans Progressive
6.9
Treasure Planet
(2002)
Political: Center
Diversity: Moderate
Female Combat: Yes