Perth Voice Interactive

A NEW movie of stark contrast by British film director Johnathon Glaser, The Zone of Interest depicts the lives of a German commandant and his family living next door to Auschwitz. 

In the shadows of the barbed-wired walls of the horrendous extermination camps, Hedwig and Rudolf Hoss have created a beacon of domesticity and a stunning oasis of a garden for their entertainment and children to play in. 

Knowing what we know of the terrible holocaust, it was sickening to see how these seemingly ignorant people went about their normal lives while chimney stacks billowing black smoke and gunshots and screams can be heard from the camp.  

Juxtaposition

The true juxtaposition of these lifestyles is highlighted as Rudolf‚Äôs love for his wife and children is evident, but his involvement in the systematic extermination and plans to build a bigger crematorium ready for trains of Hungarian Jews cast a pall. 

It casts conflict knowing the horrors of Nazi concentration camps and this family living in ignorance. 

Hedwig receiving bags from the servants (prisoners) turns out to be belongings like underwear and fur coat from the prisoners, which she divvies among her family and friends.

I understand these simple treasures of war are converted, but to hear the women talking around the table about the hiding of diamonds by the prisoners in toothpaste evoked such a strong feeling of disgust for me.

A dream sequence in black and white depicts a girl planting fruit in the side of the hills, but it becomes evident that it is actually a night vision of the girl leaving fruit hidden for the prisoners to find. 

This was confusing and didn’t really fit with the storyline, as it is not clear whether it’s a daughter who is out at night or one of the prisoners working in the house.

It is a movie worth seeing, if not for the conflicting emotions but because it tells the story of a different side of family life during the holocaust than we usually see. 

The closing scenes are the cleaners going through Auschwitz now, vacuuming and cleaning the windows holding the displays of belongings from the victims, ready for visitors, bringing us back to reality.

3.5/5 chickens

by PAULA HOLLAND