Directed by: Jonathan Glazer
Distributed by: A24
Written by Jeff Sparks
85/100
For ten years Jonathan Glazer drip-fed us short films following his other worldly 2013 masterpiece “Under the Skin.” While the shorts were neat, they weren’t enough to quench my desire to see what else he could offer in another feature. At last, ten years later we have the Cannes Grand Prix winner, “The Zone of Interest” which stars Sandra Hüller and Christian Friedel who play Hedwig and Rudolf Hoss, a married couple loyal to the Nazi regime during WWII. The two live with their three children and a handful of relatives and friends at their dream home. At first, they appear to be a normal family, going on picnics and working in the yard until we realize Rudolf is a high-ranking officer in the SS. While Rudolf is at “work” during the day Hedwig stays at home and works in the garden or relaxes poolside with her friends. Throughout every scene at or near the home, a constant rumbling noise invades the family’s activities. With the family going about their day as if it isn’t there. I first thought this was a meaningless racket incorporated into the sound design intended to unsettle the viewer like we’ve seen in Glazer’s other projects but the excellent cinematography gives away enough hints for the viewer to quickly figure out for themselves the true nature of the noise.
Filmed using a multi-camera system, each shot is brilliant, being precisely framed to paint a certain picture of every scene. Early on in one of these shots, Hedwig strolls through the backyard without a care in the world. Nothing here seems out of place until a further inspection reveals the fence behind her is topped off with barbed wire with the tip of a watchtower looming above it. Like in his previous work, Glazer’s film excels in stringing the viewer along and giving them a consistent feed of sequences to think about as the film unfolds. One part that stuck in my mind, in particular, sees Hedwig taking a cigarette break in her greenhouse while one of her goons works on the roofing. She invites him in to take a break and bum a smoke but when he goes to sit down she orders him back up before he even hits the seat. She may have given him a break but he’s only going to be able to use it to the extent that she allows him. Her power as the so-called “Queen of Auschwitz” is a trait that she wants on full display at all times.
This power that she holds comes at the cost of millions of lives of innocents that are taken next door. We never actually witness any of the atrocities that occur but the timely sound design and occasional visual cue constantly remind us of their existence. Since being placed in their current home by military command, Hedwig has worked hard on making it their dream home. Their picture-perfect backyard has a pool, a sitting area, a garden, a greenhouse, and plenty of room for the kids to play. But as the family and friends enjoy the space they pay no mind to the frequent gunshots and routine screaming that comes from the other side of their fence. After being promoted to head of the camp Rudolf has a moment where he considers the effects of his actions before quickly brushing off his thoughts and resuming his duties. Rudolf rejects any consideration for the prisoners because he’s proud to be a powerful and important man in one of the world’s biggest armies. While on the other hand, his wife chooses not to care about the genocide next door because she’s only concerned with her goal of living in a cozy home with a nice yard. A handful of chilling scenes shot in thermal imaging reveal that a young girl who lives nearby sneaks out at night to hide fruit in the areas where the prisoners are subjected to slave labor. As the only character outside of the Hoss family that we follow, we see that she is an individual who understands the situation and makes her decision to not stand by in contrast to the two evil human beings that we observe in the rest of the film. A unique and contemplative piece of filmmaking, “The Zone of Interest” reminds us not to underestimate the staggering power that desirable circumstances like comfort and prestige have, and how people behave regardless of the consequences that will befall them and others. Hopefully, it won’t be another ten years for Glazer’s next feature film but if it’s as remarkable as “The Zone of Interest” then it will be worth the wait.
“The Zone of Interest” Trailer
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