The Zone of Interest Returns: Reflections by Joe Murphy

This film raises so many questions…

How do they just ignore the suffering? 

How do I go about my day after watching? 

Did he love the horse more than his wife?

Beginning with a black screen with almost meditative music, the film eases you in with a sense of calm, perhaps a false sense of relaxation. This juxtaposes the almost horror sounding music playing over the final black screen, bookending this harrowing masterpiece. 

I believe this perfectly encapsulates the two narratives on show. The mundane day to day of family life being represented by the peaceful start, but by the end when the truth of the day is brought to light, we are left in the dark with the sinister score.

With outstanding lead performances by Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller we are greeted into the idyllic villa of the Höss Family. Picnics, horse rides and boat trips in the countryside - but this is no paradise. As on the other side of the flower covered wall is the Auschwitz death camp. The horror can be heard on the wind, just out of sight, but never out of mind.

The family appear to be unfazed by the atrocities next door, however we can slowly see the effects on the children of the family; from sleep walking to locking siblings in a greenhouse pretending it is a makeshift gas chamber. 

The calmness of the parents is mostly maintained however we see this slip on several occasions: Hedwig threatening one of her maids and Rudolf barking orders down the phone because someone interfered with his flowers. 

No moment reminds us of the monsters we are watching than the phone call post party. Rudolf informs Hedwig that whilst everyone else is drinking, dancing and chatting, he is just thinking of how he would gas everyone in the room. A room of his peers. A room of his friends. But he is only thinking of the logistics of their death. 

The coldness continues in the meetings, organising the transportation of over 100,000 people to the camps. This meeting is held like any old business meeting, discussing genocide like an end of year review. 

The reality really hits home as Rudolf descends the stairs and we smash cut to modern day. Cleaners washing windows, hoovering floors, surrounded by the aftermath of his work. Although at no point do we see any of the horrors of Auschwitz, you are left with the sheer weight of what happened. 

Nominated for 5 Academy Awards, winning for Best International Film and Best Sound and only Jonathan Glazer’s 4th feature film. The score, cinematography and incredible acting all combine to make this such a powerful piece of cinema. 

This is not an easy watch but it’s an important one. A film which left me speechless and hasn't left my mind since I watched it. 

Joe Murphy, Marketing Assistant 

This a guest blog. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed in this content are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Warwick Arts Centre.