Synopsis

Directed by Jonathan Glazer (Under The Skin), The Zone Of Interest is a historical drama that is set during World War II. The film depicts the life of German Nazi commandant Rudolf Höss as he looks to build a new life for his family, with a home situated at German Auschwitz concentration camp. The film follows Höss’ life with his family as takes them fishing and attempts to live a regular life, all whilst the horrors of Auschwitz are happening right beside them until he is informed that he is being promoted to deputy inspector of all concentration camps and is therefore required to relocate to Oranienburg and must leave with his family – despite his objections.

Critics Views

“To write poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric”, Theodor Adorno famously wrote. Glazer’s film gives us the prosaic instead, refashioning it into the darkest, most vital sort of art it might be possible for us as a species to produce.” The Telegraph

“It’s a remarkable film — chilling and profound, meditative and immersive, a movie that holds human darkness up to the light and examines it as if under a microscope. In a sense, it’s a movie that plays off our voyeurism, our curiosity to see the unseeable. Yet it does so with a bracing originality.” Variety

“The Zone of Interest is a challenging rather than conventionally provocative film but, by any measure, essential viewing and a work that will be a vital focus of discussion both in the cinephile world and beyond.” Screen Daily

“It’s a shocking piece of audio-visual art that only further cements Glazer as one of the 21st century’s most original and influential filmmakers.” The film stage

“A landmark movie, hugely important, that’s unafraid of difficult ideas.” The Times

“A brutal masterpiece.” The Guardian

“The film delicately reveals the unthinkable acts that are taking place without actually showing them which makes them even more disturbing.” Eye for Film

Awards

Academy Awards 2024
Nominee – Best Achievement in Directing
Nominee – Best Adapted Screenplay

BAFTA Awards 2024
Winner – Outstanding British Film of the Year
Winner – Best Film Not in the English Language
Nominee – Best Director
Nominee – Best Screenplay (Adapted)

CANNES 2023 Nominee – Palm D’Or
2023 Winner – Grand Prix
2023 Winner – FIPRESCI Prize

Film Rating

IMDb
 Critics: 92%  Audience 75%

Rotten Tomatoes
Critics positive review 93%   Audience Liked It 78%

 Stockbridge Audience Score: 88%

Audience Comments

Powerful and gripping. Horror juxtaposed with normality.
We all tend to accept the Status Quo so probably are all complicit in horrors, we simply turn a blind eye to. (E.g Slave trade). Never seen a film express it so well. Brilliant slow burn horror
Power and subtle.
Brilliant, devastating.
A disturbing film. I felt it showed Hoss in a better light than it should.
Yes gets under your skin.
Maybe overly artsy
A deeply disturbing film and it will be long left in the memory. Excellently acted and worthy of it’s Oscar and a British film to boot
An interesting adaptation from the book – not always easy to follow
Another angle on the persecution of the Jews
Thought use of background sound of relentless rumbling of furnaces very powerful and mothers and youngest son’s reaction to what was going on over the wall while most ignoring it was nod to not all agreed/liked what was going on. Reminded me a little of ‘Striped Pyjamas’ – certainly use of ‘local’ and ‘camp’ as source of staff etc.
A complex piece which prompts much thought. The content is shocking and the need to keep it in the minds of every generation is undeniable. Any creative way of doing this is to be applauded. Directorially I was less than happy with many of the devices used. The heavy industrial background ‘noise’ was also difficult for me.
Will be thinking about it for quite a long time
Very sensitive handling of a sensitive subject
Very disturbing film and certainly a hard watch.
Horrifying. Claustrophobic. Brilliantly done.
Certainly deserves the awards that it has won
Very thought provoking.