Bert Haanstra was born on May 31, 1916 in Holten, Overijssel, Netherlands. He was a director and writer, known for Zoo (1961), Glass (1958) and Spiegel van Holland (1950). He was married to Angenieta Barendiena Wijtmans. He died on October 23, 1997 in Hilversum, Noord-Holland, Netherlands.
Haanstra experimented in the sixties with his cinematic techniques. In Zoo he experimented with hidden camera filming to capture the true nature of both man and beast.
His short film called, Zoo was released on the 14th of December, 1962. It was a film which compared the behavior of animals and humans through his always appreciated humoristic fashion.