The Zone of Interest has not stopped trending since its release, and not only because it was nominated for the Oscar five times (and won for Best International Feature Film) but also for the quality with which it has been adapted from Martin Amis‘s 2014 novel.
The story follows Auschwitz commander Rudolf Höss and his wife Hedwig, as they strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp that has been the site of multiple horrors.
Jonathan Glazer (Under the Skin) directed the drama, which was acclaimed as one of the best films of the year. Christian Friedel (Elser) and Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall) bring the main characters to life.
How to watch ‘The Zone of Interest’ online
The moment many were waiting for has arrived; The Zone of Interest is now available for streaming. The movie will be added to the Max catalog on April 5th and can also be rented or purchased through Prime Video and Apple TV, according to Forbes.
Christian Friedel in The Zone of Interest. (Source: IMDb)
In case you don’t have a subscription yet to play the movie on the HBO platform, you can join with a basic plan for $9.99 per month (with ads) or alternatively, you can opt for premium plans ranging from $15.99 to $19.99 per month.
What is The Zone of Interest about?
The novel on which it is based is classified as historical fiction and addresses the theme of the Holocaust during World War II. However, it is important to note that the film approaches this subject in a satirical and often controversial manner.
The story is set in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II, specifically in Auschwitz. The narrative unfolds from the perspective of various characters, including some Nazi officers and the plot explores their lives, relationships and actions amid the horrors of the Holocaust.
Christian Friedel, who portrayed Rudolf Höss, gave an interview to the official Roger Ebert site. When asked about his character, he confessed:
“I was really curious to find a way to create this character. We want to see an evil person, and to be honest, I really don’t like him, and I really don’t like this family. I cannot understand how they can live next to the camps”.
He then added how he felt, saying, “I really like the way that we find or create … to give these perpetrators a human face. And that was the challenge for me because I had these dark pictures, maybe the historical context. All these dark things in my subconscious“.
