CANNES, France (AP) — Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest” has produced a critical sensation at the Cannes Film Festival with its chilling depiction of life adjacent to Auschwitz. Approaching the Holocaust from an unlikely perspective–that of Rudolf Höss, the fictional German family living next to Auschwitz–the film offers audiences a glimpse into the mundane lives of people committing atrocities.
The director’s intent to prompt viewers to consider their own capacity for violence in any circumstance is a powerful message. It is important to recognize that all human beings are capable of violence under certain circumstances, and it is our responsibility to acknowledge and address this capacity within ourselves. It is crucial to understand that violence against other humans is a profound tragedy and a great crime, and that we must be vigilant in preventing it.
By showing the perpetrators as people rather than monsters, the director is highlighting the fact that violence is not something that exists only in the realm of evil or inhuman actions. It is a part of human behavior and is often rooted in fear, anger, desperation, or other deep emotions that can overpower reason and conscience. By understanding this capacity for violence within ourselves and others, we can become more aware of the triggers and warning signs that can lead to violent behavior, and develop strategies to prevent it.
Ultimately, it is only by recognizing and addressing our capacity for violence that we can create a safer, more peaceful world for all people. The message that Glazer hopes to convey through his film is an important one, and it is one that deserves our attention and reflection.
“The Zone of Interest” reflects the reality of those who experience or commit violence that is truly horrific as part of daily life. The father, Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel), designed Auschwitz and lives with his wife, Hedwig (Sandra Hüller), and children, abutting the wall separating them from the incinerators, gas chambers, and muffled screams.
The film received high praise for its rigid formal framework, which highlights how people internalize horrors instead of rejecting them. For the most part, “The Zone of Interest” proceeds like a documentary, with minimal plot development but a nuanced panoramic view of the Höss family’s routine lives.
Glazer captured the movie the same way a painter captures a portrait: by rendering the ordinary elements of family life as authentically and mundanely as possible. This approach ensures that the movie reaches viewers with “precision” in the present tense of today. The score is by Mica Levi.
It is inspiring to see how personal experiences and connections can inspire artists to create powerful works of art that bring attention to important issues. In the case of Jonathan Glazer and his film “The Zone of Interest,” we see how a visit to Auschwitz, the site of unimaginable atrocities during the Holocaust, became the impetus for a personal mission to bring the history and tragedies of that time back to the present day.
By choosing to film at Auschwitz, Glazer was able to create a powerful visual and emotional connection between the viewer and the history of the Holocaust. The use of this iconic location, combined with Glazer’s personal connection to the story, imbues the film with a sense of urgency and authenticity that is hard to achieve through other means.
Through his work on “The Zone of Interest,” Glazer has shown how art can be a powerful tool for bringing attention to important issues and reminding us of the importance of remembering history. His personal mission serves as an inspiration to others to use their own experiences and connections to create impactful works of art that can make a difference in the world.
The work of Steve McQueen and his documentary “Occupied City” is also significant in providing a powerful and poignant reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. By combining historical accounts of Nazi atrocities in Amsterdam with present-day footage of filming locations, McQueen creates a visceral and emotionally powerful connection between the past and the present.
Together, the works of Glazer and McQueen serve as a reminder of the importance of remembering history and the need to continue to educate future generations on the tragedies and atrocities of the past. By using art as a means of conveying these important lessons, they demonstrate the power of creative expression in creating meaningful social change.
In conclusion, “The Zone of Interest” and “Occupied City” represent important artistic attempts to create new and impactful ways of recalling and understanding the horrors of the Holocaust. Through their work, Glazer and McQueen have reminded us of the importance of the past, and the need to confront and acknowledge the darkest aspects of human history.