British director Jonathan Glazer is back with the disquieting and compelling new Holocaust drama The Zone of Interest. Glazer is renowned for his versatility and has ranged from Radiohead music videos to Guinness commercials, British crime thrillers (Sexy Beast) and transcendent space odysseys (Under the Skin). He now dramatises the family life of Auschwitz Commandant Rudolf Höss to clammy and disturbing effect, and the movie certainly exerted an impact on Unlimited members who were granted a preview screening as part of their membership.
The events of the movie take place entirely within the confines of Höss' family home, which adjoins the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp. Glazer avoids visually explicit imagery alluding to Auschwitz, instead using discreet yet probing sound design to suggest the horror that is occurring beyond the walls of the house and garden.
The movie is anchored by another memorable performance from Sandra Hüller as Höss wife Hedwig, who is at once complicit in her husband's actions and yet wilfully ignorant of the consequences. Hüller has been nominated for a BAFTA, one of nine nominations in total including Best Director, Best British Film and Best Film not in the English Language. It's designed to be a discombobulating and uncomfortable immersion in one of humanity's darkest periods, and here are just a few Unlimited reactions.
trying to catch my breath - the sheer mundanity of their selfish preoccupations whilst all that was happening on the other side of the garden wall... wonderful, mystical work from Glazer and Levi again, but Johnnie Burn's sound work is king, never letting us forget the horrors.
— ObiMoo (@_ObiMoo) January 20, 2024
Such a powerful and very emotional piece, the sound editing was something that took my breath away with the screams etc. heart wrenching movie which is not going to be for everyone but it is something that will shock many. Certainly not what I was expecting!
— Blazing Minds (@BlazingMinds) January 20, 2024
Quite speechless, to be honest.
— PlymouthSteve (@FinnieSteve) January 20, 2024
The banality of evil comes to mind.
The director used up to five fixed cameras in the house and garden with no visible crew to capture many scenes, so the actors didn't know if they were being shot in a close-up or wide shot.
An exquisitely accomplished sound design made for such a riveting take on the holocaust. Arguably a better technical achievement but Glazer’s work feels so unique. The cinematography is discomforting throughout. The statement is huge obviously, I just wanted more character work.
— Matt The Critic (@matt_the_critic) January 20, 2024
It's like a horror film with no scares. Two lead performances outstanding. Not reacted so viscerally to a film in ages and ages, and imagine it'll provoke strong reactions from all who watch
— harry (@h_barnett1) January 20, 2024
Had high expectations and was not disappointed. Been struggling to find words for it; what I will say, as a former German student, I remember feeling physically sick when I visited Dachau concentration camp many moons ago. How could people do those things to others?
— Jon Weedon (@JonWeedon) January 21, 2024
It's a disturbing holocaust movie that lingers long in the mind. The incredible use of sound through out, is worth the ticket price alone. It won't be everybodys cup of tea as its quite experimental, and more about the banality of evil, than the usual horror show. Sobering stuff
— David Williams (@dr72w_david) January 20, 2024
The Zone of Interest is released on February 2nd and you can book your tickets via the link below.
BOOK THE ZONE OF INTEREST TICKETS
Get the full breakdown of this year's BAFTA nominations in the link below.
Don't forget that if you're an Unlimited member, there are plenty more Unlimited screenings coming throughout January and February. Click on the following to discover what's previewing and when.
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