The Zone of Interest (2023) - Johnnie Burn
Jonathan Glazer’s film The Zone of Interest follows the daily life of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss’s family, who have built a seemingly idyllic life in a house next door to the camp. While viewers watch the monotony of family life, the horror occurring behind the back fence plays out entirely on the soundtrack. That unsettling soundscape was built by sound designer Johnnie Burn, who spent nearly a year compiling an archive of testimony, historical research and field recordings to construct what became, in effect, a second, unseen film running beneath the visible one. Johnnie earned the 2024 Academy Award for Best Sound for his work on the film, which has since been held up as a landmark in the use of sound as narrative in its own right. In this episode of Masterpieces, Johnnie reflects on that year building the soundscape, the effects it had on his personal life, and how his work on the film has shifted what directors now ask of him. Hosted and produced by Caitlin Hennessy. Creative direction by Marie-Amélie Sauvé. Editorial direction by Jeremy Olds. Original song and sound engineering by Simon Benesch. Artwork by Image Worldwide. Special thanks to Cartier.
