“The zone of interest”, in long shot

Photo source: Esquire

What a subtle way of pointing us all out that the film “The Zone of Interest”, Oscar for the best international film 2024, has.

I really liked the use of two resources, one more common than the other.

The first is contrast.

But not as Roberto Benigni taught us, who did it from comedy. On the other hand, Jonathan Glazer does it from the most forceful and cold naturalness.

I mean the continuous contrast between opposite feelings and situations, causing a huge disbelief, even hallucination in the viewer.

A warm and idyllic home in front of the countryside chimneys.

Asking for silence to tune the ear when the shots sound in the background, and concluding: its a heron.

Or resisting to leave the house next to the concentration camp, considering it a paradise.

There are many brutal contrasts, all brilliantly constructed.

And the second is the absence of close-ups.

Without being an ensemble film, it does not focus the visual weight of the story on the main character. It doesn`t do so on any of them, that is, it does so on all of them.

On those who witnessed the horror in medium shot, as mere spectators, and on those who witness injustices today, in long shot, from our seats.