#CANNES: “THE ZONE OF INTEREST”

By Amanda Gilmore

Writer-Director Jonathan Glazer’s fourth feature is a chilling look at the banality of evil. Freely adapted from Martin Amis’s Holocaust novel, The Zone of Interest follows the domestic life of the family of Auschwitz camp commandant Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel).

Leave it to Glazer to deliver one of the most spine-chilling films of the year. The majority of the Film observes the idyllic life of this horrific family. The opening scene shows them sitting in a field taking in the sunshine. It’s beautiful, peaceful. However, Glazer doesn’t make this his actual opening shot. Instead, we sit watching a black screen for about 3 minutes as the disquieting score by Mica Levi blares. The Score is so integral to the atmosphere of the Film it’s hard to believe The Zone of Interest would be as successful without it.

This opening immediately tells us that all isn’t right with this family. Before long, they return home to their vast house with a lush garden…just on the other side of the barbed-wire-topped wall of the camp. Glazer doesn’t show us the atrocities that are happening over the wall. He doesn’t have to. We know what’s happened. Other Films have depicted it and we’ve learned about it in school. Instead, he stays with this monstrous family rarely leaving the house and grounds.

Even without showing the depravity within the camp, Glazer’s masterful Script and Direction manage to deliver one of the most terrifying, unsettling Holocaust Films.

The inhumanity of the dialogue is where it begins. Rudolf has a meeting with a fellow Nazi about designs for new gas chambers and crematoriums. Some of the most cruel remarks come from Rudolf’s wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller who gives a terrifying performance). When her perfect life becomes threatened she snaps at her servants. Saying, “You know I could have my husband burn you right?” These remarks take a stark look at the banality of evil that churns your stomach. It’s unbearable to be around this family, yet The Zone of Interest is utterly captivating you can’t find yourself escaping their inhumanity.

It’s hard to focus on these subjects without giving them the upper hand. After all, we are focusing solely on this Nazi family. But Glazer’s careful hands keep the attention on the atrocities happening over the wall, that are directly linked to Rudolf. There are quiet moments of Hedwig sitting at the dining table speaking to fellow wives of Nazis. The focus isn’t on their conversation but on the loud gunshots coming from the camp. As their youngest son plays in his room he hears guards telling a prisoner they are going to drown him. And some of the most powerful sounds and imagery come as the family sits in the garden while screams are heard and smoke leaves chimneys in the background.

The Zone of Interest is one of the most impactful, heartbreaking, and terrifying Films of the year. It’s not to be missed.

THE ZONE OF INTEREST screens at Cannes ’23:

Fri May 19 at 7PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Sat May 20 at 8:30AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Sat May 20 at 11:15AM at CINEUM IMAX

Sat May 20 at 6:45PM at LICORNE

Sat May 20 at 9PM at AGNÈS VARDA THEATRE

Sun May 21 at 3:15PM at CINEUM AURORE