The Documentary Podcast The Herds: Life-sized puppets flee climate change
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Aug 18, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Amir Nizar Zuabi, a celebrated Palestinian theatre director and creator of The Herd, dives into the artistic vision behind his life-sized puppet project. He reveals how these biodegradable puppets symbolize the urgency of climate change as they journey from the Congo Basin to the Arctic. Zuabi shares the emotional connections formed with diverse audiences, the challenges faced in iconic locations like Paris, and the blend of art and activism. This project aims to evoke a powerful response to environmental crises through creative expression.
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Wordless Image Drives Emotional Urgency
- The project began with a mystical image of animals suddenly alarmed and running north from the Congo Basin.
- Amir Nizar Zuabi used that wordless, visual energy to convey urgency about climate change.
Designing Scalable Cardboard Beasts
- Ukwanda Studios in Cape Town met an almost-impossible design brief to make scalable, cardboard-like puppets.
- Craig Leo says they cracked each species and produced expressive, buildable prototypes.
Material Choice Enhances Fragility Message
- Puppets were life-size and made from biodegradable materials like plywood and hand-torn cardboard.
- Different animals used distinct puppetry techniques to evoke character and scale.