‘The Zone of Interest’ holds us captive to a haunting, surreal perspective of The Holocaust

“The Zone of Interest” (2023) – “Bye, bye, Daddy.” – Hedwig (Sandra Huller) The morning arrives, and Rudolf (Christian Friedel) prepares for his workday, possibly a Monday. He climbs on his horse and will move through an open gate, as his workplace is adjacent to his home, separated by only a wall.  While holding their infant, Hedwig casually throws out the affable goodbye, adieu, or tschüss, tschüss to Rudolf. Rudolf and Hedwig Hoss are not an ordinary suburban couple living in Chandler, Ariz. or Orlando, Fla.  It’s 1943, and the…

‘All of Us Strangers’: Bring tissues. Delicate declarations of regrets, hopes, tenderness, and forgiveness pour off the screen.

“All of Us Strangers” (2023) – Adam (Andrew Scott) lives alone.  He’s a successful screenwriter living in a London high-rise but doesn’t visibly engage with anyone except a neighbor, Harry (Paul Mescal).  One day, Harry stops by Adam’s place, hoping to connect.  Eventually, they begin a love affair while Adam reminisces about his late parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell), who died in a car accident – 30 years prior during the 1980s – “just before (he) was 12.”  Adam attempts to write about his late folks, and Harry asks,…

AHFW’s Top 20 Films of 2023

2023 is a banner year for cinema, and, once again, the annual best-movies selection becomes a challenging but rewarding responsibility. I gladly experienced 220 new films in 2023 and proudly chronicled my 20 favorites.  Now, “20 Days in Mariupol”, “Air”, “Fancy Dance”, “Hey, Viktor!”, and “The Color Purple” just miss my list but don’t let these five impressive flicks pass you by, and I hope that you also explore the following motion pictures, Art House Film Wire’s Top 20 Films of 2023.  20. “Upon Open Sky” – Writer Guillermo Arriaga…