The Zone of Interest

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 (out of 5)

Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) has become an infamous character in history as he was the commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. He was credited with the systematic execution of over three million Jews and other prisoners. The Nazi officer has been depicted in multiple films and books that include the 2014 novel by Martin Amis. His writings depict the life of Höss’ family, who lived outside of the walls of the legendary death camp.

Director Jonathan Glazer (Under the Skin) begins this fictionalised historical tale in 1943 when the Höss family has established their place in the Auschwitz community. During the celebration of Rudolf’s birthday, his family does all they can to celebrate their father’s day while Jewish slaves work around them. His wife, Hedwig (Sandra Hüller), has built an idyllic life for their family in the picturesque home built outside the concentration camp's walls. With her efforts to make their home and gardens a utopian existence, Rudolf has painstakingly built one of the most efficient killing factories on the opposing side of the barrier between these worlds. As the family gets on with life, the sounds of the horrific existence on the other side of the wall continue each day. Until the Nazi officer is given the orders to be transferred to Oranienburg near Berlin to take up the role of deputy inspector of all concentration camps. This threat to their lifestyle causes tensions within their marriage and family, leading the couple to make decisions that will separate them. In contrast, the family remains in the home outside the walls of the death camp while Rudolf heads to Berlin.

Unlike most films that depict the Holocaust, Glazer’s story remains outside of the walls of the concentration camp. As he focuses on the bizarre lives of the Höss family, audiences are left to imagine the grotesque experience of millions of prisoners that occurs across the wall. There is an eerie brilliance in this interpretation of the German family’s world that includes sorting through the belongings of the prisoners, washing off the residue that came from being close to the burning corpses and the constant sound of people being shot. Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller embody their true-to-life characters and show how easily people can become desensitised to humanity's mistreatment. Even though there are no records of the Höss family’s lives, the director and cast manage to make a believable atmosphere that must have occurred in history.

The Zone of Interest is a creative and compelling interpretation of this perceived aspect of life outside the wall of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Glazer effectively weaves in the sounds, efforts of those helping the prisoners, and aspects of the long-term implications of the Nazi’s actions. Yet, within the familial and political drama, one must ask oneself if this is how one wants to be entertained. There is no denying why this film is getting awards recognition due to its creative storytelling and cinematic style. Still, this tale will leave most viewers repulsed as opposed to enthralled by the cinematic experience unless they, too, have become desensitised to the horrors of war and acts against humanity.

REEL DIALOGUE: Crimes against humanity

Slavery, mass murder, genocide, infidelity, greed … All of these acts against humanity are addressed in Martin Amis’ story amongst the seemingly innocuous life of the Höss family. Yet, the question that comes to mind is, ‘How can this evil happen in our world?’

A question that has plagued humanity throughout history. Fortunately, the Bible answers this question and provides a solution. The problem can be found in Genesis 3, and the answer comes in the middle of the Bible in four biographies of Jesus. As people watch their newsfeeds and ponder what is happening in this world, today might be a good day to grab a Bible and discover the answers.

Where do you go in the Bible? Genesis (First book of the Bible) and Matthew (About mid-way through the Bible)

For those looking for answers to life, the Third Space team is here for you. We would love to chat with you about this and more.