”The Zone of Interest ” with two Oscar statuettes. Jonathan Glazer’s film is a direful story focusing on the family life of the commandant of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, Rudolf Höss. The story, based on the 2014 novel by Martin Amis, is described as an “idyll in the shadow of the crematoria”, which shows how easily we can turn a blind eye to human suffering. The film is praised by critics primarily for the shocking way in which this message is illustrated on screen.

“I am honored that The Zone of Interest received such prestigious distinctions (albo such a prestigious distinction). It was great to have Jonathan Glazer and his team in Poland to tell this gripping and devastating story that unfortunately took place on Polish soil. Warm congratulations are due in particular to Ewa Puszczyńska, the Polish producer of the film, the Polish director of photography Łukasz Żal and the entire Polish team of over a hundred people. I would like to thank the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for recognizing the artistry of Polish filmmakers who participated in the production of this film,” said General Director of the Polish Film Institute, Radosław Śmigulski, immediately after the results were announced.

“I cried from joy. Wonderful. It’s just a wonderdul feeling.! Even though you’d think I've had these type of expreriences behind me before, yet not at all” – accopmanied him Ewa Puszczyńska minutes after the win of “The Zone of Interest” with Best International Feature Film.

”The Zone of Interest” – the path to success

The film premiered on May 19th in 2023 during Cannes Film Festival, where it recieved the Grand Prix and an honourable mention from the International Federation of Film Critics FIPRESCI. Since then, the film has also been awarded with three BAFTA’s, two EDA awards from The Alliance of Women Film Journalists’, a European Film Award, a Satellite, a Special Award of the EnergaCamerimage festival and a number of other awards from local film critic entities. Now the Oscars are crowning the triumphant festival journey of Jonathan Glazer’s film. 

Polish team of ”The Zone of Interest”

The film is co-financed by A24 studio and the Polish Film Institute. The principal photography took place in Poland, and behind the camera was the award-winning and twice-Oscar-nominated director of photography, Łukasz Żal. The film was shot in Oświęcim, on the premises of the Höss villa and in important buildings in Jelenia Góra: the town hall, the Schaffgotsch Palace in Cieplice and the Basilica of St. Erasmus and Saint Pancracy Outside the Walls.

The Polish creators of the film also include: Joanna Kuś (set design), Waldemar Pokromski (make-up), Małgorzata Karpiuk (costumes), Małgorzata Bereźnicka (production manager, Extreme Emotions), Bartek Raiński (co-producer) and Stanisław Cuske (director of photography). The film was released in Polish cinemas on Friday, March 8th by Gutek Film.