The Zone of Interest
NZ release: 22 February 2024
Sexual references and content that may disturb Rated on: 22 February 2024
What’s it about?
A haunting retelling of WWII set from the perspective of the German Nazi commandant Rudolf Höss, and his family. As an examination of human complicity, the film focuses on the idyllic life of the family in a large, beautiful home with the concentration camp, Auschwitz as its backdrop. Despite the atrocities happening over the fence the family love their life and do not want to leave.
The facts
- Directed by Jonathan Glazer (Under the Skin, Birth)
- German, Polish, and Yiddish languages
- Runtime: 104 minutes
- Loosely based on the 2014 novel by Martin Amis
- Winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes 2023
Why did it get this rating?
This film was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.
Horror and violence
The horrific violence and mass genocide is not shown but viewers can hear screaming, shouting and gunshots frequently throughout the film. Incinerators are seen burning.
The commandant often is in discussion about the camp, including ways to increase the number of gassing its prisoners.
Human bones are found in a river where children are swimming, and a child is seen playing with human teeth.
Offensive language
While offensive language is limited, characters often talk about Jewish people in dehumanising ways. There are many antisemitic slurs and conversations.
Real-life footage
There is real-life footage of the Auschwitz, showing real gas chambers and items of real-life victims.
Sexual violence
It’s implied that a character forces a prisoner to have sex with them, but nothing is shown. In a following scene the character cleans his penis which is shown through the action of undoing and pulling down his pants. His back is to the camera, and we don’t see any detail.
Further information
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Content that may disturb
A maternity home for unmarried mothers and their children operated between 1925 and 1961 in Tuam, County Galway. In the 21st century, the home became the focus of a national scandal after a forensic excavation uncovered the remains of hundreds of babies and young children, along with illegal adoptions, mistreatment, and systemic neglect. In this film based on based on true events, an amateur historian investigates the horrors that took place there.