Is The Zone of Interest Based on a True Story? Check Cast, Release Date, Plot and Trailer

Areas of Interest

Stakes is a 2023 historical drama film directed by Jonathan Glazer and based on the 2014 novel by Martin Amis. The film, a co-production between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland, stars Christian Friedl as German Nazi commander Rudolf Höss, who strives to live his dream life with his wife Hedwig (played by Sandra Wheeler) near the Auschwitz concentration camp.

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The film premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in May 2023 to critical acclaim, winning the Grand Prix and the FIPRESCI Award. The film received accolades from multiple institutions, including the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Picture Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best International Feature Film. The film was also nominated for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA, cementing its place as one of the standout works of 2023.

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Is “Zone of Interest” based on a true story?

Focus is inspired by real events, specifically the life of Nazi officer Rudolf Höss, commandant of Auschwitz. Directed by Jonathan Glazer, the 2023 film explores the inner lives of the Höss family amid the horrors of the Holocaust. Adapted from the 2014 novel by Martin Amis, the story fictionalizes aspects of Höss’s life, depicting his family’s attempts to find normalcy amid atrocities.

Although set against a historical backdrop, the film takes liberties and delves into the dynamics of the Höss family, blending fact with speculation. Despite some fictional elements, the film’s depiction of the realities of the Holocaust and the involvement of real-life figures such as Rudolf Höss give it a sense of historical authenticity.

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Christian Friedel

Rudolf Höss

Sandra Wheeler

Hedwig Höss

Ralph Herfors

Oswald Boll

Daniel Holtzberg

Gerhard Maurer

Sasha Maz

Arthur Lieberhenschel

Freya Krutzkam

Eleanor Ball

Imogen Coggle

Lena Hensel

John Carterhouse

Klaus Hoss

Lily Falk

Heidetrout Hawes

Naylor Arensmeier

Inger-Brigitte Höss

Louis Noah Witt

Hans-Jurgen Hoss

Kalman Wilson

Annegret Hawes

Anastasia Drobnyak

Annegret Hawes

Cecilia Pekkala

Annegret Hawes

Julia Polachek

Alexandra Bystrom-Kloszczyk

Wolfgang Rample

William Hans Berg

Max Beck

Schwarzer

Medusa Knopf

Elfrida

Andrei Isaev

Broneck

Zusanna Kobiela

Anila

Stephanie Petrovitz

Sophie

Martina Poznanski

Marta

Ralph Zillman

Hoffman

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In 1943, Rudolf Höss, commandant of Auschwitz, lives a seemingly idyllic life next to the concentration camp with his wife Hedwig and their children. Despite constant reminders of the suffering outside the garden walls, Höss focuses on family outings and garden care, while servants take care of household chores. After being promoted to deputy inspector, Höss reluctantly leaves the camp for Berlin, leaving behind a distraught Hedwig.

Her mother leaves in a hurry because she is afraid of the camp being too close. Meanwhile, a Polish girl secretly helps the prisoners hide food. Hoss returns to Auschwitz to oversee the mass extermination operation, numb to the horror. After a party, he confesses his evil thoughts to Hedwig. As he leaves the Berlin office, he retches, symbolizing his inner turmoil. The film ends with him falling into darkness, reflecting on his horrible actions.

Area of ​​Interest Release Date

Zone of Interest premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on May 19, receiving a six-minute standing ovation. It won the Grand Prix, the Cannes Original Soundtrack Award, and the International Federation of Film Critics Award. Its North American premiere was at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on September 1, 2023, followed by a screening at the Toronto International Film Festival.

In the United States, the film’s release was pushed back from December 8 to a limited theatrical release on December 15, 2023. The film is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2024, and in Poland on February 9, 2024.

Where can I view areas of interest?

“Zone of Interest” is currently only released in theaters and is not yet available for rental or purchase on on-demand platforms. However, viewers can look forward to watching the film on Max, which is the result of a partnership between the streaming platform Max and film distributor A24.

While the film is still limited to theaters for now, plans are underway to make it available on streaming services in the future. This decision is intended to optimize the movie experience while also meeting the needs of viewers who prefer streaming services. Stay tuned for an announcement on when The Zone of Interest will be available on Max.

Area of ​​Interest Trailer

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