The Zone of Interest

[al_infierno]

Streamed this last night. Incredible film, somewhat bizarre. Far from entertaining -- more haunting, creepy, and absurd like a black comedy without any jokes. The plot is like something out of a drama or a romcom, turned absurd by the horrific acts happening just outside the frame of the film.

It's a fascinating choice not to show what's happening in the camp. It's vivid in its sound design, so the screams and gunshots are always in the distance. In a way, it relies on the audience's outside knowledge of Auschwitz to fill in the gaps of what the POV characters are willfully ignoring. All those liberation photos are in the back of your mind while Rudolph Hoss and his family go about the banality of their daily lives, pillars of black smoke rising in the background of their beautiful gardens while the kids laugh and play. The few glimpses we do get of Jewish characters are straight up horrifying. The ending was powerful while leaving a lot unspoken.

Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in WWII and the Holocaust, which I imagine is everybody on this board. Just go in with the right headspace and treat this more as a horror movie than something traditionally entertaining like Schindler's List.

[Gusington]

Where'd you stream it?

[al_infierno]

Where'd you stream it?

Amazon Prime! I think 6 bucks to rent.

[Toonces]

I read an article on the Atlantic interviewing the person that directed the sound in the movie.  Very interesting.  Haven't seen the movie yet, but it sounds like you're describing exactly what the director was going for.

[JudgeDredd]

Heard alot about it. It's on my radar.