Britain's "The Zone of Interest" clinched the Oscar for Best International Feature Film, delving into the poignant narrative of a German officer's family residing adjacent to the Auschwitz extermination camp during World War II.
Director Jonathan Glazer utilised the platform to condemn the violence stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The film revolves around Rudolf Hoss, the commandant of Auschwitz, and his family, navigating life amidst the harrowing backdrop of the notorious death camp in occupied Poland. With over 1.1 million lives lost in Auschwitz, one of the largest Nazi concentration camps, the movie unflinchingly portrays the grim reality of the Holocaust.
In his acceptance speech, Glazer emphasised the film's relevance to contemporary global conflicts, asserting that it serves as a stark reminder of the potential for violence within humanity. He highlighted that the narrative, entirely filmed at Auschwitz, aimed to prompt reflection on current societal attitudes towards dehumanization and its catastrophic consequences.
"We sought to illuminate the repercussions of dehumanization, showcasing its most dire outcomes. We stand here today, rejecting the exploitation of Jewish identity and the Holocaust to justify ongoing conflicts, such as the recent Israel-Hamas clash," Glazer proclaimed to an audience resonating with applause.
Renowned for his earlier works like "Sexy Beast" and "Under the Skin," Glazer's directorial finesse is evident in "The Zone of Interest." The film, adapted from Martin Amis's novel, employs sound intricately, steering away from explicit on-screen violence to convey the chilling horrors of the death camp juxtaposed with the mundane lives of the officer's family.
"The Zone of Interest" previously garnered acclaim, clinching the Grand Prix at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Nominated for additional accolades including Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars, the film competes alongside notable contenders such as Japan's "Perfect Days," Spain's "Society of the Snow," Germany's "The Teacher's Lounge," and Italy's "Io Capitano."
