The Zone of Interest Age Rating and Parents Guide:
“The Zone of Interest,” a 2023 historical drama film, brings to life a poignant narrative set against the backdrop of Auschwitz. Directed by Jonathan Glazer and based on Martin Amis’s novel, the film delves into the complexities of life and relationships amidst the harrowing reality of a concentration camp.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
The Motion Picture Association has assigned “The Zone of Interest”, a PG-13 rating. The PG-13 rating indicates that “The Zone of Interest” contains material that may be inappropriate for children under 13. The specifics include thematic material, suggestive material, and smoking. This rating serves as a guide for parents, offering them information to make informed decisions about their children’s viewing experiences.
You can also read: Argylle Age Rating and Parents Guide (2024)
You can also read: American Fiction Age Rating & Parents Guide (2023)
Reasoning Behind the Rating:
- Thematic Material: Given the film’s backdrop of Auschwitz and its exploration of moral dilemmas, societal norms, and personal aspirations, the content might be intense for younger audiences.
- Some Suggestive Material: The film delves into the complexities of relationships amidst a harrowing backdrop, and while it may not feature explicit content, the suggestive material might require parental guidance.
- Smoking: Depictions or references to smoking can sometimes influence the MPAA’s rating due to its portrayal as a social or cultural norm, especially when seen by younger audiences.
Parental Guidance Advised:
The PG-13 rating emphasizes the importance of parental guidance during the viewing of “The Zone of Interest.” Parents are encouraged to consider their children’s maturity levels, sensitivities, and readiness to engage with the historical and emotional themes presented in the film.
Film Details:
| Title | The Zone of Interest |
|---|---|
| Director | Jonathan Glazer |
| Writers | Martin Amis, Jonathan Glazer |
| Age Rating | PG-13 |
| Release Dates | 19 May 2023 (Cannes), 15 December 2023 (US), 2 February 2024 (UK), 9 February 2024 (Poland) |
| Countries of Origin | United States, United Kingdom, Poland |
| Languages | German, Polish, Yiddish |
| Also Known As | 夢想集ä¸ç‡Ÿ (Dream Concentration Camp) |
| Filming Locations | Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp, Poland |
| Production Companies | A24, Access Entertainment, Film4 |
| Running Time | 105 minutes |
| Genres | Drama, History, War |
Top Cast:
| Actor/Actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Sandra Hüller | Hedwig Höss |
| Christian Friedel | Rudolf Höss |
| Freya Kreutzkam | Eleanor Pohl |
| Ralph Herforth | – |
| Ralf Zillmann | Hoffmann |
| Imogen Kogge | Linna Hensel |
| Lilli Falk | Heidetraut |
| Stephanie Petrowitz | Sophie |
| Marie Rosa Tietjen | – |
| Julia Polaczek | Aleksandra Bystron-Kolodziejczyk |
| Luis Noah Witte | Hans Höss |
| Daniel Holzberg | Gerhard Maurer |
| Max Beck | Schwarzer |
| Zuzanna Kobiela | Aniela |
| Christopher Manavi | – |
| Johann Karthaus | Claus Höss |
| Sascha Maaz | – |
| Nele Ahrensmeier | Inge-Brigitt |
Storyline:
In 1943, at the height of World War II, Auschwitz Commandant Rudolf Höss lived with his wife Hedwig and their children in a beautiful house close to the concentration camp. Despite the grim reality outside their home’s walls, where sounds of gunfire, trains, and furnaces are constant reminders of the atrocities occurring, the Höss family leads a seemingly normal life. The children play and swim, while Hedwig tends to her garden. Interestingly, the family’s comfort is sustained by the prisoners’ belongings. However, the tranquility shatters when Höss discovers human remains in a river and reprimands the camp staff for their negligence.
Soon after, Höss receives a promotion to Berlin, leaving behind a distraught Hedwig. Desperate to keep her family in their cherished home, she pleads with him to let them stay. Although initially agreeing, Höss later relocates to Berlin, leaving Hedwig with her mother, who is appalled by the camp’s horrors and quickly departs. Amidst this backdrop, a young Polish girl secretly aids the prisoners by leaving food for them each night.
In Berlin, Höss is entrusted with a grim responsibility: overseeing the mass extermination of Hungarian Jews at Auschwitz. This duty sees him returning to the camp and rejoining his family. However, his detachment becomes evident when he casually discusses his horrifying task with Hedwig. As the weight of his actions bears down on him, Höss’s physical discomfort is evident. The film concludes with a haunting scene of Höss descending into darkness, leaving viewers to contemplate the profound moral complexities and human cost of such a history.