Top contender for Oscar 2024: Why 'The Zone of Interest' is a must-watch
A frame from the movie "The Zone of Interest"
In just two weeks, the Oscar ceremony will take place, where the best films of 2023 will receive their statuettes. Currently, some nominated films are available in Ukrainian cinemas. Among them is the drama "The Zone of Interest" by Jonathan Glazer, which is nominated in 5 categories: Best Picture, International Film, Directing, Adapted Screenplay, and Sound.
Here are 5 reasons why you shouldn't miss the film in theaters.
Reason 1: stellar reviews
The director of another Holocaust film, "Schindler's List," three-time Oscar laureate Steven Spielberg, commented on the film as "the best Holocaust film he has seen since making his own." He also notes that the film does important work in raising awareness, especially regarding the banality of evil.
Six-time Oscar nominee Alfonso Cuarón called "The Zone of Interest" the most important film of this century, and "Twilight" saga star Kristen Stewart called it a masterpiece.
Reason 2: Oscar 2024 predictions
Entertainment Weekly predicts "The Zone of Interest" to win the statuette in the Best International Film category, where the film competes with "Perfect Days" by Wim Wenders, "The Teachers' Lounge" by Ilker Catak, "Io Capitano" by Matteo Garrone, and "Society of the Snow" by Juan Antonio Bayona (Spain).
Reason 3: ratings and audience reviews
The IMDb rating stands at 7.7 out of 10. The rating on the Rotten Tomatoes platform is 93% with a Certified Fresh designation, awarded to films with the best reviews. The rating on Letterboxd is 4 out of 5, and the score on Metacritic is 92 out of 100 with a Must-See mark.
Ukrainian viewers, who numbered 6689 in cinemas during the first weekend, shared their reviews on social media platforms such as Twitter (X), Instagram, and Facebook, drawing parallels with Ukrainian contemporary history. They also noted the technically polished form of the film and emphasized that it's a must-watch.
Reason 4: the team
Among the professionals who contributed to the film's creation are cinematographer Lukasz Zal, a two-time Oscar nominee ("Cold War," "Ida," "The White Ribbon," "I'm Thinking of Ending Things"), and composer Mica Levi, an Oscar nominee ("Jackie," "Zola," the series "Small Axe").
Reason 5: production studio
"The Zone of Interest" is a new film from the studio A24, known for Oscar-winning films like "Everything Everywhere All at Once" by Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, "The Whale" by Darren Aronofsky, "Moonlight" by Barry Jenkins, as well as Ari Aster's films "Hereditary" and "Midsommar," and series like "Succession" and "Euphoria."
What is the movie "The Zone of Interest" about
The film "The Zone of Interest" portrays the everyday life of the commandant of Auschwitz, who, along with his family, lives fenced off from the concentration camp. They build their daily life, grow fruits and vegetables in the garden, entertain guests, and raise their children harmoniously.
