This gorgeous animation sees Maki, a young boy who escapes from slave traders, befriend a giraffe, cross the desert and meet a pirate, on an extraordinary trip that takes him from Africa to Paris.
Under a baobab tree, an old man tells a story to the children around him: the story of the everlasting friendship between Maki, a 10-year-old boy, and Zarafa, an orphaned giraffe, who was a gift from the Pasha of Egypt to the King of France.
When Hassan, Prince of the Desert, is instructed by the Pasha to deliver Zarafa to France, Maki does everything in his power to stop Hassan from fulfilling his mission.
During an epic journey that takes them from Sudan to Paris, through Alexandria, Marseille and the snow-capped Alps, they have many adventures – crossing paths with the aviator Malaterre, a pair of unusual twin cows called Mounh and Sounh, and the pirate queen Bouboulina.
France/Belgium 2012 Dirs Rémi Bezançon, Jean-Christophe Lie 77 min
Adults can only come if they’re bringing a child, and children can only come along if accompanied by an adult.
If you’re over 18, we’re afraid being a ‘big kid’ doesn’t count
This is a past event. Subscribe to our newsletters to hear about upcoming events
Booking fees
£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
Barbican Cinema 2
Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue.
Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Access
Cinemas 2 & 3 are located at Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican Centre’s main Silk Street entrance. There are a couple of steep, dropped kerbs and an incline to negotiate between the two sites. Level access from Beech Street.
Mobility
Each auditorium has three permanent wheelchair spaces (two in the third row and one in the front row) and 153 fixed seats with capacity for a further three spaces in the front row. Access to each auditorium is up a ramp. There are also a number of seats with step-free access.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
An infrared system for hard of hearing customers is provided in each auditorium; headsets or neck loops can be collected from foyer staff. The ticket desk counter is fitted with an induction loop.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
