The Zone of Interest: And Other Films About the Horror of the Nazis in The War

The Oscar-nominated The Zone of Interest is one of many films about the horror of the Nazis during the war, where you can learn more about their strategies, methods, the violence and terror they sowed around the world, and the worst acts that were committed in times of war. The Zone of Interest is not the first nor will it be the last. Still, it is a film that lets us see a different side of the war, from the perspective of the Nazis and their families, who sought to build “normal” lives amid chaos, death, and one of the darkest situations in the history of humanity.

The Zone of Interest: 10 Films About the Horror of the Nazis in The War

What cinema does with this is not only to give us entertainment, but it also gives us an important history lesson. It prevents us from forgetting the most painful moments of the past, raises awareness, and helps us connect with everything that happened, to understand it. better and to raise awareness. Many films have dared to bravely and honestly tell the most brutal and painful war stories, and they are a good way to help us feel, process, and remember.

The Zone of Interest

Starring Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller, The Zone of Interest is a brutal story set during World War II, following Auschwitz commander Rudolf Höss, who moves in with his wife, Hedwig, and their children. to a new house in which they want to build the perfect life, but the house is next to the concentration camp where thousands of Jews are locked up, and the family must live with that reality while trying to maintain normality and a facade of perfection.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Asa Butterfield and David Thewlis star in this film which, like The Zone of Interest, tells the story of a Nazi officer and his family, who move to a house that is very close to a concentration camp. There, Bruno, the officer’s 8-year-old son, goes out to explore and comes across the countryside, where he meets a Jewish boy with whom he begins a secret friendship, which leads him to question his father’s work and the situation in that they live, and that has unexpected consequences that cause a lot of pain.

The Book Thief

Based on the novel of the same name, this film starring Sophie Nélisse (of Yellowjackets) follows a German girl named Liesel Meminger, who finds a way to escape the horrors of war through books, which she secretly steals and shares. with your friends. But Liesel’s life becomes more complicated when she discovers a Jewish refugee hiding in the basement of her house, and she must keep this a secret to protect her family and prevent the Nazis from discovering the truth and taking them away. all.

Jojo Rabbit

Directed by Taika Waititi, this is a comedy-drama that shows us World War II from a child’s perspective. The story focuses on Jojo, a boy who lives in Nazi Germany, where he dreams of being a great soldier and has Hitler as an imaginary friend. Still, little by little he understands what is happening around him and what the Nazis represent. Jojo Rabbit, with Scarlett Johansson, is moving, and funny and reflects on the fear of what is different, friendship, bravery, and innocence of children, even in the most dangerous and violent moments.

A Hidden Life

Terrence Malick directs this British-German film that tells the true story of a man named Franz Jägerstätter who, when Austria is occupied by the Nazis, decides to refuse to fight for them in the war, thus facing the possibility of being executed for treason. The film shows how Franz and his family stood firm despite threats and danger and dared to stand up to one of the most powerful and brutal regimes of that time.

Schindler’s List

Steven Spielberg‘s famous film won 7 Oscars and turned Ralph Fiennes into one of the most terrifying villains in cinema. This drama tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German man who, in times of war, helped save the lives of thousands of Jews, using his factory and many false papers to prevent them from being sent to concentration camps, until he had to flee the country to save his family.

Women In Gold

Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds star in this drama that tells the story of a woman named Maria Altmann who, years after her family survived the Nazis, discovers that the Austrian government has a painting that belonged to her family before the war. a portrait of his aunt that was painted by the legendary Gustav Klimt and decides to take the government to court to recover the piece that was stolen by the Nazis, during a series of robberies and looting that were committed during the war.

The Sound of Music

The iconic 1965 film, starring Julie Andrews, is based on the true story of a novice who is hired to care for the children of an Austrian army captain. She helps the children have fun and reconnect with their dad, and eventually becomes part of their family (when she marries the captain), but her happiness is interrupted when the Nazis come to the country and want to force the captain to join them, so he and his family must carry out a plan to escape the country and avoid fighting in the war or being accused of treason.

Denial

Rachel Weisz stars in this film which takes place many years after the war. Weisz plays a writer and historian named Deborah E. Lipstadt, who must prove that the Holocaust happened after a man takes her to court for libel when she accuses him of being a denier. At trial, she must convince the jury and the world that the Holocaust was real, to prove that she was not lying when she accused the man of denying the truth.

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark

This film with Harrison Ford combines reality with fantasy and shows Indiana Jones on an adventure that leads him to search for the legendary Ark of the Covenant, which is also sought by the Nazis, who are convinced that the mysterious biblical artifact. can help them gain the power they need to win the war and conquer the entire world, and only Jones can find it first and stop them from getting it.