Nido de Cocodrilo – Crocodile Nest: A Haunting Tale of Memory and Connection

Jazmin Rojas Forero’s Nido de Cocodrilo – Crocodile Nest is a stunning short film that packs a surprising emotional depth into its nine-minute runtime. Set in the tropical hall of a Düsseldorf zoo, the film follows a woman and a crocodile keeper as they exchange memories and ghost stories. Surrounded by crocodiles, their conversation reveals layers of personal and collective history. For me, this film felt like stepping into a dream—surreal, unsettling, yet beautifully human.

A Dreamlike Setting

The tropical hall of a zoo might seem like an unusual place for deep conversations, but here it becomes a space of introspection and connection. The dense greenery, humid air, and watchful crocodiles create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and otherworldly. Forero captures this setting with a visual richness that immediately draws you in.

As I watched, I couldn’t help but think of Avant Seriana Before Seriana. Both films use their environments not just as backdrops but as characters in their own right. The tropical hall, much like Algeria’s Aurès region, becomes a space where reality and imagination intertwine.

Layers of Memory and History

What makes Nido de Cocodrilo so compelling is its focus on storytelling as a way of preserving memory. The woman and the crocodile keeper share personal anecdotes, but their words also hint at a deeper history tied to the zoo itself. Forero doesn’t spell everything out, leaving much for the audience to interpret. This ambiguity makes the film feel even more alive.

This exploration of memory reminded me of A Stream of Echoes, where personal archives and family histories intertwine to tell a larger story. Both films highlight the importance of shared stories in connecting us to the past and each other.

For context on the history of zoos and their cultural significance, read this Wikipedia article on the History of Zoos.

Why You Should Watch Nido de Cocodrilo – Crocodile Nest

In just nine minutes, this film manages to be haunting, thought-provoking, and visually stunning. It’s a quiet reminder of how places hold memories and how stories can bridge the gap between the personal and the collective. For me, it was a reminder that even the most unexpected spaces—like a zoo’s tropical hall—can hold profound truths.

If you enjoyed films like A Stream of Echoes, which explores memory and connection, or Avant Seriana Before Seriana, which blends reality and imagination, you’ll find Nido de Cocodrilo equally captivating. It’s a short film with a long-lasting impact.