'It was a labor of love!' Jessica Chastain wears a spring fresh green dress as she talks up her new movie The Zookeeper's Wife

By Bobbie Whiteman For Dailymail.com

Published: 13:11 EDT, 20 March 2017 | Updated: 10:42 EDT, 21 March 2017

 She was up late for a special screening of her new movie The Zookeeper's Wife in New York on Sunday.

But Jessica Chastain looked bright and beautiful for an early morning appearance on the Today Show in the city on Monday.

The 39-year-old slipped her slender figure into a green wrap dress that perfectly suited her porcelain pale skin and her strawberry blonde tresses that cascaded over her shoulders.

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Bright and beautiful: Jessica Chastain slipped her slender figure into a green wrap dress for an appearance on the Today Show on Monday in New York

Bright and beautiful: Jessica Chastain slipped her slender figure into a green wrap dress for an appearance on the Today Show on Monday in New York

The Oscar winner was there to talk about her new movie, based on the real-life Antonina Zabinski, who saved the lives of 300 Jews from the Warsaw ghetto in German-occupied Poland by hiding them in the zoo during WW2. 

Jessica, who stars as Antonina and was an executive producer on the film, admitted she had never heard of her until she read Diane Ackerman's bestseller. 

'I was not familiar at all with it,' she told host Matt Lauer, 'I was shocked. But what I really loved about this story is that it showcased humanity in the time of war. 

In the hot seat: The 39-year-old was there to talk about The Zookeeper's Wife based on the life of Antonina Zabinski who hid 300 Jews from Poland's Warsaw ghetto in the zoo during WWII

In the hot seat: The 39-year-old was there to talk about The Zookeeper's Wife based on the life of Antonina Zabinski who hid 300 Jews from Poland's Warsaw ghetto in the zoo during WWII

Getting primped: A stylist fussed around the Oscar winner before her chat with Matt Lauer

Getting primped: A stylist fussed around the Oscar winner before her chat with Matt Lauer

Spray time: The stylist made sure her strawberry blonde tresses stayed put for the interview

Spray time: The stylist made sure her strawberry blonde tresses stayed put for the interview

'It's a labor of love for me. It's an incredible story about this great female hero that has been untold,' she said, adding that the director, Niki Caro, screenwriters Angela Workman and Diane, plus the producers were all women. 

'It was definitely a girls group,' Jessica dished.

The book is based on the journal of Antonina's daughter, Teresa, and Jessica revealed she was lucky enough to meet her and talk to her about her unusual childhood.

Passion project: Jessica reveals, 'It's a labor of love for me. It's an incredible story about this great female hero that has been untold'

Passion project: Jessica reveals, 'It's a labor of love for me. It's an incredible story about this great female hero that has been untold'

'It was definitely a girls group': Jessica said director Niki Caro, screenwriters Angela Workman and Diane Ackerman, who also wrote the book, plus the producers were all women

'It was definitely a girls group': Jessica said director Niki Caro, screenwriters Angela Workman and Diane Ackerman, who also wrote the book, plus the producers were all women

'There's a healing power with animals and Antonina knew that,' the actress continued. 

'For her all living creatures were special and equal. she lived alongside animals, they would go in and out her house, she slept in bed with them, her children were raised with animal brothers and sisters, so it's a beautiful story.'

Antonina used to warn her 'guests' to hide when German soldiers came to the zoo by playing the piano.

So Jessica had to learn, dishing: 'Normally you start with easy pieces like Mary Had A Little Lamb, but they wanted me to play Beethoven, Chopin and Bach,' she added, rolling her eyes.

'I'm playing on an antique piano and some of the keys don't even play and the director like the authenticity of that. Antonina wasn't a concert pianist. I for sure am not a concert pianist.'

The Zookeeper's Wife opens on March 31.

Red carpet friends: The book is based on the journal of Antonina's daughter, Teresa Zabinska Zawadzki and she was with Jessica at the Polish premiere of The Zookeeper's Wife on March 7

Red carpet friends: The book is based on the journal of Antonina's daughter, Teresa Zabinska Zawadzki and she was with Jessica at the Polish premiere of The Zookeeper's Wife on March 7

 

 

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