In the historical war drama film, The Zone of Interest, director Jonathan Glazer makes a bold artistic choice by opening the movie on an all-black screen. This decision may seem unusual, but Glazer has a specific purpose behind it. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he explained that this black screen serves as a way to tune the audience's ears before they tune their eyes to the visuals of the film.
The Zone of Interest is loosely based on Martin Amis' book of the same name and tells the disturbing true story of Rudolf Höss, the commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp. What sets this film apart is its exploration of the nature of evil and indifference, and Glazer utilizes the soundtrack masterfully to convey these themes.
Glazer wanted viewers to have a full sensory experience while watching the film. By starting with a black screen, he allows the audience to focus on the unique and haunting soundtrack that accompanies the movie. This soundtrack includes the dialogue, music, and sound effects, but it also incorporates a second track filled solely with chilling sounds from Auschwitz.
As viewers watch The Zone of Interest, they hear the two soundtracks intertwined. The dialogue and score are juxtaposed with the sounds of screams, gunshots, and the chimneys of Auschwitz billowing out smoke. This auditory experience emphasizes the oblivion of the Höss family, who live just yards away from the camp and remain inexplicably unaffected by the horrors happening around them.
The purpose of this audio mixing is to highlight how humans can become desensitized to evil and indifference over time. The audience, like the characters in the film, becomes accustomed to the sounds of suffering, sometimes questioning whether they are hearing a scream or a passing plane. Glazer prompts viewers to confront their own capacity to ignore or adapt to evil, even as it persists around them.
The Zone of Interest's unique approach to sound elevates the film's impact, allowing for a deeper exploration of its central themes. By starting with a black screen and encouraging the audience to hone their ears, Glazer prepares viewers to engage both visually and aurally with the story. Ultimately, this film serves as a powerful reminder of humanity's ability to ignore or normalize evil, and challenges us to confront our own capacity to do the same.
The Zone of Interest stands as an important historical war drama that delves into the depths of human indifference and the lasting effects of evil. Through its haunting soundtrack and thought-provoking storytelling, it leaves a lasting impact on viewers and sparks critical conversations about our response to atrocities.
