Zone of Interest | Film Critters Processes Film Critters Processes

ESIMS FOR GAZA https://gazaesims.com/

This episode was recorded in February. We sat on this for a while, trying to decide whether our contribution to this conversation could be considered worthwhile. Occasionally we end up canning episodes, either because we were unhappy with or unable to come up with much to say about a work. Occasionally, the subjects we broach feel outdated within a day, or we just do not see the value in adding to an overbearing conversation. This occasion is one where something changed to reverse our decision.

THE ZONE OF INTEREST, very deservedly, won best sound design at the 2024 Oscars, and director Jonathan Glazer gave a speech that condemned the attacks that took place on October 7th alongside the continuing genocide occurring in Palestine and Israel's attempted weaponization of the Jewish identity in support of this genocide. Among news outlets and social media platforms that just so happen to also peddle antisemitic conspiracy theories, his words have been misquoted and taken out of context, and primarily non-Jewish people have begun a campaign of invisibilizing his dissent, some going so far as to deny his Jewishness. As you listen, please understand that in spite of whatever pithy compliments or qualms Barroo and Jae have to express about this film, THE ZONE OF INTEREST is a crucial work from a grieving Jewish artist who has to navigate a world that is all too comfortable with the machinations that gave us the Holocaust. Rest in peace to the martyrs of genocides past and present, and, in taking after Glazer's example, we must fight like hell for the survivors.

watch at youtu.be/jCqswhMQ2oY

Barroo can be found at http://averycutedog.neocities.org/
Jae Bearhat can be found at http://www.twitter.com/fussybabybitch