Now we’re over the cough and Spring is supposed to be almost upon us we decided we must go back to our wonderful independent cinema, The Depot, and start watching some films.
I like all sorts from blockbusters and science fiction to niche foreign films and other oddities that come along. Love, love science fiction and can’t wait to see Dune, Part 2. This week I wanted to see American Fiction, which two friends have recommended. I can’t say I know a lot about this film, but it’s suddenly come to the fore as it has several Oscar nominations. You think, well, it must have some merit if it’s been nominated, plus it’s been recommended to us, so yes, if I can’t get to the Depot this week it will be on my list to watch, along with Poor Things, but that’s another blog post, about why I haven’t, as yet, seen that film!
Last week, though I didn’t know anyone who’d seen the film we chose to see, in fact one friend said, I’m definitely not going to this one. This being The Zone of Interest. As you know I’ve read the book (which is by Martin Amis) but the film is only loosely based on it as much of the plot is left out. Instead, the film focuses solely on the day-to-day lives of Rudolph Hoss, his wife Hedwig, and their five children and the sublimely idyllic life they led in their house next to the concentration camp Auschwitz where Hoss was Commandant.
The only barrier between the camp and their garden is a tall concrete wall, parts of which have climbing flowers and vines. The beautiful garden, with a pool used in the summer, is planted with flowers along with a vegetable garden where vegetables are picked for their table.
But. In their garden, you hear some noises, just in the background, a popping sound. Something else, is it shouts, but distant. Was that a scream? You’re not sure. Only later do you see some translated words of some inmate… And at night blood red shadows fill their bedrooms, the colour coming from the flames of the ovens.
Throughout the film we see how much Hedwig loves this place, this house, this garden she has planted and built up from scratch. It is a picturesque and bucolic life they lead with Hoss getting on his beloved horse every morning and riding off to the camp. Indeed, when Hedwig hears that her husband has a promotion and that they must leave their home she has created she doesn’t want to leave.
The family is the lynch pin of the tale. There they are, going about their ordinary everyday lives, all the while ignoring everything that goes on behind the wall. From the meticulous research that was involved in the making of the film, the director found that Hoss and his wife Hedwig were an ordinary upwardly mobile working-class couple, who saw their role at Auschwitz and their life there as the culmination of their dreams.
There is no plot to this film, instead, on first appearance you could ask yourself is this too laid-back and detached a film, what with it being shot in an ultra-naturalistic manner with hidden cameras around the set so that the actors never knew where they were. You feel as though you are eavesdropping on anyone’s life rather than the Commandant of Auschwitz where they are all monsters, surely, to have been there? But more than anything the director, Jonathan Glazer, wanted to portray this ordinary everyday banal life of Hoss and his family, to show that monsters do not commit these horrific crimes, ordinary people commit these crimes. And the question he sought to answer was our similarity to these perpetrators.
As for the sound, which is sometimes just faintly there in the background and at other times hugely present and upsetting, this is a vital component of the film’s subtle underlying menace. One reviewer calls the film a ‘brutal masterpiece’ and I would absolutely agree with that.
It is also a must-see.
Now why is it a must-see? It is a must-see as it reminds you where hatred gets you, what ‘othering’ a race brings. It reminds you of the persecution of the Jewish race that has been going on since time immemorial, which continues to this day. It reminds you that in Germany’s case it was where extreme hostility to these ‘others’, and their innate efficiency, merged to bring you the genocide of a race in the form of both horrific acts and bureaucratic productivity. It reminds you of how you can become complicit if a people mean nothing to you. Never again we say, never. And yet.
And yet. It goes on, the horror, making this film so relevant, indeed the film, says the director, is about today. It is not about the past it is about the now. Are we all behind the wall hearing things about far-away places? Personally, I think I am behind this wall.
There are so many wars around this world that don’t reach our media, that we are unaware of, and more’s the pity, as we should be aware. But the two wars that are always in our media and our minds, are Ukraine and now Gaza.
The war in Ukraine has been going on for two years now, and the prognosis is not good, what with a certain weariness in some nations at constantly having to supply Ukraine with the weapons it needs. If one of the candidates for the US Presidency gets in, that’s it, as the EU will do its best but cannot make up the quantity that the US supplies. And if Ukraine loses the consequences for Europe is appallingly clear and dangerous – Putin won’t stop at Ukraine. But what a bitter victory if he wins, with a nation that doesn’t want to be Russian. You rather wonder how the occupation of Ukraine would go for Russia – the precedent is Afghanistan, which didn’t go well. But setting all that surmising of mine aside, what about the suffering of the Ukrainian people, the deaths, the destruction of their homes and infrastructure, their displacement?
Our government was welcoming to Ukrainian refugees, up to a point, as so many volunteers around the country went above and beyond in welcoming refugees. But now (I’m a bit hazy on this) the 3 years refugees can stay is reduced to 18 months, although apparently, they can apply to extend this if the war is still ongoing. Hmm. How very Home Office that sounds.
And now there is another war that grabs our attention. The war in Gaza. How it began was horrific. Not since the Second World War and the Holocaust has there been so many deaths of Jewish people, what happened was ghastly, bestial, indeed dreadfully horrible. It was also an enormous shock that a country with such a huge military force and an apparently excellent system of surveillance had not spotted that this might happen. Let us never forget what happened, ever, or forget the hostages still there, some of whom will surely have died in captivity.
At the time, naturally, there was talk of how would and should Israel react. We heard also strains of how can we revenge this heinous attack, and how can we eliminate the menace of Hamas? That’s natural after the jolt of October 7th, who wouldn’t feel that fear, who wouldn’t want something to be done.
But now? WHAT. IS. GOING. ON?
What is going on right now is that Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians (says the UN. See below for reference). 2.2 million Palestinians are facing severe shortages due to the destruction and/or stoppage of food supplies, medicines, and other humanitarian goods. Consequently, vast numbers of children are malnourished and more than that wasting. In addition, water is severely restricted and there is a huge need for more water to be available, with some only getting 1 litre of safe water per person per day.
And the deaths? 30,000 now, the numbers climb relentlessly, and 70,000 injured, many more missing presumed dead, so many of them women and children. Then there is their infrastructure, their housing, when this is all over (when!) where will people live? What can they go back home to, and how will Gaza be rebuilt?
What is going on here is in direct contravention to the ruling by the International Court of Justice that the state of Israel is now required to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide. Note that word genocide, the court is not using the phrase, self-defence, that’s in the bin. The Palestinians are being slaughtered and if the Israelis go into Rafah…
This war has to stop and if it doesn’t and the numbers of dead Palestinians keep ratcheting up – where does this end? They are being not only othered (read what has been said by people in Netanyahu’s government) as were the Jews from time immemorial. The Palestinians in Gaza are being eliminated. Now who did that sort of thing before? And to whom? Astonishing isn’t it, that the victims have become the oppressors and the perpetuators of genocide.
And yes, I did say that, and I am criticising Israel (the government, not its people). Now, listen up, apparently, criticism of Israel is not allowed because if you do you are anti-Semitic. Oh, good grief! What nonsense is that. All nations should be criticised. ALL. If you want to criticise Great Britain, its past actions and its current actions go ahead, please do, that’s only right and proper. And so, it is right and proper to criticise Israel – why should they be any different to any country?
Furthermore, I haven’t even begun to criticise Israel for all the years before October 7th, starting with the Nabaka, the West Bank settlements, the current occupation of Gaza. That is the context for all this. Why did Hamas go mad? As what did they expect from their attack in October? Because it was madness, and stupid and bestial, but why did they do it? Why? So don’t start me on criticism, because I haven’t even started, I haven’t even begun the criticism that is warranted for so many deeds done by Israel. But this? This killing spree is on another level. And don’t start me either, on Western politicians who support Israel even now in this killing spree.
That is why the film is about today.
We are all behind the wall, hearing the cries for help from the Ukraine, from Gaza. We hear but our lives continue, we tend our gardens, we look after our home and children, we go to work, we carry on with our lives.
Some of us campaign and march, and send money, or write, like I am doing now. But the horror continues just over there, in the distance, in another country. We are all behind the wall that separates us from where the horror is happening. I know I am.
And this is why the film is a must-see. It is about today. It is about now.
Penny Kocher, 28.02.24
P.S. Thank you for reading to the end. I understand that my writing might upset some people, but this blog has always welcomed debate. If you do comment note that all comments are moderated.
I have taken great care with my words, please, in return be considerate. My thoughts are for all the dead, and that is both Israeli dead and Palestinian dead – and the suffering of the living.
Further reading
Sean Hagan, Jonathan Glazer on his holocaust film The Zone of Interest: ‘This is not about the past, it’s about now’. The Observer, 10 December 2023
Nina Lakhani, Israel is deliberately starving Palestinian, UN rights expert says. The Guardian, 27 February 2024
Selma Dabbagh, The Case Against Israel. London Review of Books Blog. 26 January 2024
Joshua Leiffer, The Netanyahu doctrine: how Israel’s longest-serving leader reshaped the country in his image. The Guardian, 21 November 2023
Adam Shatz, On the war in Gaza. Vengeful Pathologies. London Review of Books Volume 45, No 20 19 October 2023
Ohhh Penny. You are a wonderful writer. I am 100% in agreement with every single word you have written. We are all behind the wall. But why? Because we really don’t know what we can do to have more of a voice. We’re living in terrifying times.
We do live in terrifying times and I should have said, ‘We are all behind that wall, but some people do not hear the sounds at all, some do hear but ignore it all, while the vast majority hear and are heartbroken because we cannot do anything to stop the horror – I mean the news this morning…
We have to live in hope that this will end. Apparently ‘talks’ do take place. For that we have to be grateful.
Thanks Christine.
Thank you Penny. Now I must go back and read all of your piece again, so that I can think about it, and take some more time to absorb it. Thank you for making me think.
It is a shame that we have to think about this, but we do have to. Thanks Pauline.
Thank you Penny, I agree with every word, and being a democracy shouldn’t we be aloud to say what we want, when we want free country and all
Yes, indeed, we have to speak up when things are very wrong as they are in this instance. Thanks Sandy.
Thank you for this Penny. Yes I agree we’re all behind the wall in so many ways. The film was being shown in Chapter our Art House cinema in Cardiff, where I’m a voluntary usher. I didn’t get to see it and wish I had. I’ve read a lot about the holocaust and Auschwitz in particular and I’ve actually been to Auschhwitz
So many atrocities across the world and we just look on or not as the case may be. Hoss was eventually hanged at Auschhwitz but after he had overseen so may deaths and gross in-humane treatment of people, because they were considered “other”.
It was such a good film, above and beyond, I’d say, and one that will feature in ‘best films of…’ for a long time, not just 2023/4. I’m sure it will be on one of the streaming platforms so you can see it there.
Not been to Auschwitz but we did stop at Oradour-sur-Glane one year when the kids were young, which was a chilling experience.
Thanks Rowena
Thanks Penny for articulating so clearly my feelings about this. What can we do, apart from signing petitions, writing to MPs and the government and making donations? It all feels so useless. Do we never learn from previous actions? With Gaza especially I feel that Israel needs to look at how it has turned into not just an avenger but a persecutor. Putin and Ukraine is something else, and the West seems powerless to make an impact.
Have you watched the series Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland? Made by the same people who did Once Upon a Time in Iraq. Both are on BBCiPlayer and the Northern Ireland one shows you that despite the huge differences between people, peace is possible. We have to hope.
I agree that the most dangerous situation is none other than Putin and his nationalistic vision of Russia. There’s a mad dictator if ever there was. Have you read The Wizard of the Kremlin? Not what I’d call an enjoyable novel, but soooo interesting.
Thanks Alison.
Thank you, Penny! I agree with every word you’ve written. I also feel as helpless as each of the people who have left a comment.
Yes,I should have said that ‘We are all behind the wall, but some do not hear the cries of anguish at all, some hear but ignore, and the vast majority are heartbroken that they can do nothing to stop the horror.’
At least there are some ‘talks’ going on. People thought that Northern Ireland would never have any peace but it did come about. The documentary series, Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland is incredibly good (on BBCiPlayer) and shows you the huge differences that still exist between the parties involved but peace did come.
Thanks Penny
Penny – what a brilliant post. I agree with everything you said. We are all behind the wall. I find it incomprehensible how humans can be so cruel to other humans but, as you say, the film is a demonstration of how people who care about their children, their gardens and what they have for dinner can also be exactly that. I do wonder, with some of the behaviour you see on social media these days eg. personal insults to someone who has expressed an unpopular view, whether the internet is perpetuating the sort of behaviour where some people only care about their own dear ones, rather than people in general, and dehumanising those who are different to them. If so, that is very worrying in my opinion. Of course, a lot of good also happens through the internet too.
Thank you Sylvia – I felt compelled to write this.
The internet is blamed for many things, but used well it can also bring people together as it does here. It has many good uses and I do believe books were considered to be a huge danger when the printing press was invented! However I do think it is harmful for the young who often don’t realise how deeply damaging their words of criticism can be. Fortunately my 17-yr-old grandson seems to have not delved into that quagmire and is a thoughtful young man. I hope for the same for my two younger grandchildren.
Great piece, Penny. My husband’s parents emigrated from Germany, and his father fought for the Germans during the war, then was captured by the Allies and was a POW in North Africa. My MIL was a child during the war, and has always said “none of us knew” about the concentration camps, which is impossible to us to believe. The film was chilling and horrifying, as if, drop by drop, you slowly realize, without being told, what is going on. You make an excellent connection to what’s happening in Gaza. I can promise you I’ll do everything I can to keep Trump from getting elected over here – it could be the end of everything…
That’s so interesting Mary and you know it is possible that they didn’t know, and it depends where your MIL lived. I mean people in the same and nearby towns couldn’t not know but Germany is a big country and of course not all concentration camps were in Germany. But that family, and especially Hedwig, she knew, I mean trying on the fur coat, and the lipstick……
I went to Wikipedia and looked at Hedwig’s life. Apparently she remarried, moved to America, lived there and died at the age of 91.
Oh my word, the coming election! I do think Trump has a very good chance of getting elected. The world will hold its breath as to what happens after.
Thanks Mary K
A wonderfully written piece Penny , expressing exactly what so many of us are feeling at the moment. I must endeavor to seek out that film , not sure if its here yet.
I whole hearedly agree with all you have expressed here .
Thanks Jill. It is an amazing film and one to definitely look out for. It’s not one to enjoy but one to remember. I shan’t forget it ever, and I bet it comes up in lists of best films – for many years to come.
I am definitely going to look out for this film, it’s sad to say so many are now blind to what is going on in the world today.
Hi Joyce and many apologies for not replying sooner. Do look for the film, it is very good. Thanks so much for reading this.
Oh Penny! Your blog is as always spot on. We are living in terrible times. I have been saying for at least five years that the world has shades of the 30’s going on and the current situations confirm it. I am absolutely terrified at what is going on in Gaza and Ukraine.
I have been to Austchwich and believe every national leader should go there to witness the horror of war. They should also have to read Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks to understand the futility of war. There is room for us all so why can’t we live in peace.
Sandra Lawrence
Hi Sandra
Many thanks for commenting and apologies for not replying sooner – haven’t looked at this other blog for a bit as been away and also other half has been ill. Although Gaza is uniquely horrific the war in Ukraine is so very dangerous for us in Europe. Putin is the maddest of dictators – with a lot of power. Currently watching (in small amounts as it’s so saddening) Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods, which is on BBC iPlayer. It reminds me of the First World War, and the loss of so many young men. One of them speaking on the documentary was just 19 and reminded me of my grandson. So many lives lost , so many more to come. Awful.
I agree with what you have written Penny. I did not see the film but I attend a group which discusses foreign policy weekly. last week the topic was the Mideast. we watch a film on the topic and then discuss. naturally the Israel and Gaza conflict took up much of the discussion. the presenter brought up that perhaps we ought not be so outraged as we Americans bombed and destroyed so many cities, such as Dresden in Germany and then dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. he went non to say that after the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 we had no choice but to enter into WW II and commit fully to this war. Israel had no choice after the massacre which took place on Oct.7. I am thinking that mankind has learned nothing. when he was president Barack Obama was roundly criticized for his apology to Japan for committing these atrocities. healing the world does not seem to be priority for many. I hope i get the opportunity to see this film.
Hi Darby, thank you so much for commenting and apologies for not replying sooner – things got in the way like life and my other half being unwell again, it was labyrinthitis. He’s nearly better – but not 100%.
Yes, I do agree that Israel had no choice but to go after Hamas, but I expect you too, see they have gone far too far, as in over 30,000 dead – geeeez. There’s no consideration for the people of Gaza whatsoever and now there is famine. Indeed the Israelis , I am using my words very carefully, are near to practicing genocide – as what else can it be? At the very least war crimes are bing committed. The definition of war crimes does include proportionality and that is exactly where the Israelis are lacking. And as well as the people dying it is the total obliteration of the living space, housing, infrastructure within this tiny pocket of a nation. So very, very, very appalling.
And, indeed, I agree, we all have bombed cities but that cannot act as an excuse. I read an article recently that said, Stay Angry. We must.
Actually do see the film as it is so very subtle and not in the least angry or sensational. Quite an astonishing film which needs to be seen.
Thanks as ever