More than 150 Jewish actors, filmmakers, and artists have signed an open letter in support of director Jonathan Glazer's controversial remarks about Jewishness and the war in Gaza during his Oscars acceptance speech for "The Zone of Interest." Glazer's speech, which has sparked intense debate, was criticized by some Jewish film professionals last month but has now garnered support from others in the industry, including Joaquin Phoenix, Hari Nef, and Debra Winger. The letter expresses solidarity with those calling for a permanent cease-fire and aid delivery in Gaza, emphasizing the urgency of resisting dehumanization that leads to mass atrocities throughout history.
Director Jonathan Glazer's Oscars acceptance speech for "The Zone of Interest," in which he expressed solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, has sparked controversy and drawn both criticism and support. The speech has led to a sharp rebuke from the Anti-Defamation League and an open letter condemning it from 1,000 Jewish Hollywood professionals, while also receiving support from actors and filmmakers, as well as the head of the Auschwitz Memorial. The film, loosely adapted from Martin Amis' novel, depicts the day-to-day lives of a Nazi officer and his family near the Auschwitz concentration camp without showing violence or suffering, aiming to convey a profound warning about humanity and its nature.
Danny Cohen, executive producer of "The Zone of Interest," disagrees with director Jonathan Glazer's Oscars speech drawing parallels between Nazi Germany and the Gaza conflict, attributing the ongoing war to Hamas. Cohen expressed disappointment that the film's success has been overshadowed by controversy and emphasized the importance of focusing on the film itself. Glazer's speech has sparked both support and condemnation, with some praising his comments and others criticizing the comparison.
László Nemes, director of "Son of Saul," criticizes Jonathan Glazer's Oscar speech, stating that Glazer should have stayed silent and lacks understanding of history and the forces undoing civilization. Nemes emphasizes the responsibility that comes with such films and expresses concern about rising antisemitism. Both directors' films are set at Auschwitz in 1944, and the controversy has sparked disagreement among industry figures.
The executive producer of "The Zone of Interest" disagrees with director Jonathan Glazer's Oscar speech, which drew parallels between the Holocaust film and the Gaza conflict, stating that it has upset many in the Jewish community. Glazer's remarks have sparked divisive responses, with some supporting his stance and others criticizing it. The film, which also won the Oscar for best sound, has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Glazer's speech.
"The Zone of Interest" executive producer Danny Cohen publicly disagrees with director Jonathan Glazer's comparison of the Holocaust film to the current conflict in Gaza during his Oscars speech. Cohen expressed disappointment that Glazer's comments overshadowed the film's success and impact on Holocaust education. Glazer's remarks have sparked controversy, with some members of the Jewish community repudiating his claims while others support his message of applying the lessons of the Holocaust to present-day struggles.
Executive producer Danny Cohen disagrees with director Jonathan Glazer's politically-oriented Oscars acceptance speech, stating that it upset many people, particularly in the Jewish community. Cohen believes the speech overshadowed the film's remarkable storytelling and was a distraction. Glazer's speech linked the film's subject matter to contemporary world events, drawing both praise and criticism. The Zone Of Interest, a Holocaust drama, won the International Feature Oscar and Best Sound Oscar.
"The Zone of Interest" executive producer Danny Cohen publicly disagrees with director Jonathan Glazer's controversial Oscars speech, which compared the Holocaust film to the conflict in Gaza. Cohen expressed disappointment that Glazer's comments overshadowed the film's success and emphasized the importance of the movie for Holocaust education. Glazer's remarks have sparked controversy, with some in the Jewish community repudiating his claims while others support his message of applying the lessons of the Holocaust to present-day struggles.
The Holocaust Survivors’ Foundation USA has criticized director Jonathan Glazer for his Oscars speech, calling it "morally indefensible" and "disgraceful" for equating Israel's actions with Hamas to the Holocaust during his acceptance speech for Best International Film. Glazer's comments have sparked outrage and support, with the Anti-Defamation League condemning his remarks while Israeli military veterans' organization Breaking the Silence expressed support for his stance against the use of Judaism and the Holocaust to justify the occupation.
"The Zone of Interest," winner of best international feature and best sound at the Oscars, will be available for streaming on Max starting April 5. The film, directed by Jonathan Glazer, tells the story of Commandant Rudolf Höss and his wife living next to the Auschwitz concentration camp. It is also currently available for rent/purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV+. Glazer used his Oscars speech to condemn the Israel-Hamas war, emphasizing the film's relevance to present-day dehumanization.
Director Jonathan Glazer used his Oscars acceptance speech for Best International Feature Film to address the war in Gaza, stating his refusal to let his "Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation." His film, The Zone of Interest, focuses on Auschwitz and the Holocaust. Celebrities, including Billie Eilish, wore pins calling for a ceasefire, and a protest outside the venue delayed the start of the awards. Glazer's win marks the UK's first in the category, and he emphasized the relevance of his film's exploration of dehumanization in today's world.
The Zone of Interest, a German-language Holocaust drama, won the United Kingdom its first-ever Academy Award for best international feature at the Oscars 2024. Director Jonathan Glazer linked the film's subject to the ongoing conflict in Gaza in his acceptance speech, drawing parallels between the past and present. The film, which focuses on the family of a top Nazi general at Auschwitz, was dedicated to a 90-year-old woman who inspired one of the characters. The win marks a record for the U.K. in the international feature category, and the film triumphed over strong competition from other nominated films.
The German-language Holocaust drama "The Zone of Interest" directed by Jonathan Glazer won the United Kingdom its first-ever Academy Award for best international feature at the Oscars 2024. In his speech, Glazer linked the film's subject to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, emphasizing the impact of dehumanization and dedicating the win to a woman who inspired a key character in the film. The win marks a record for the U.K. in the category, and the film triumphed over strong competition from other international films.
Jonathan Glazer, writer/director of "The Zone of Interest," used his Oscars acceptance speech to condemn the Israel-Palestine conflict, stating that the Holocaust is being hijacked by the ongoing occupation. The film, set in Auschwitz, portrays the dehumanization that led to the mass murders of Jews. Glazer's speech reflects a trend of filmmakers speaking out on the conflict, with protests at the Oscars and Indie Spirit Awards, and other filmmakers calling for a ceasefire.
The Oscar-nominated film "The Zone of Interest" has garnered attention for its remarkable soundscape evoking the Holocaust, with sound designer Johnnie Burn's meticulous approach to creating historically accurate and emotionally impactful soundscapes. By drawing upon collective knowledge and using a variety of recorded sounds, Burn has crafted a sonic experience that respects the sanctity of Auschwitz while honoring the memory of those who perished there. The film's sound design has been praised as potentially one of the most significant in cinema, and as awards season reaches its peak, it remains a strong contender at the Academy Awards.
