The Grey Zone

TIFF [2001]

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(USA, 2001, 108 minutes)
Written and directed by Tim Blake Nelson
Based upon his play
Cast: David Arquette, Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel, Natasha Lyonne, Mira Sorvino, Daniel Benzali, Alan Corduner

Movie Review

Nine a.m., Thursday, September 13, 2001. Harvey Keitel walks to the front of the theatre to lots of applause, then asks for a moment of silence for the victims of the World Trade Centre/Pentagon disasters. Then he simply says: "Ladies and gentlemen, The Grey Zone." And much like the tragedy that so profoundly affected us all during this week, there are very few words that can express what I think about "The Grey Zone" without them sounding somewhat trite or cliched. So forgive me if they do; but there is one thing I can say without hesitation. Go see this movie.

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You may not want to see it again after you do, but it's an astonishing piece of work that should not be missed. It's pretty rare that a film has the emotional impact that this one had on me. I mean, I do cry at the drop of a hat at the slightest sentiment, but it's the very lack of sentimentality - in fact, the brutal and often absurd realism - that gives "The Grey Zone" its power. I didn't cry. But I felt as drained as I would had I been crying all night.

The story is of a group of Jewish prisoners at Auschwitz who were designated as the Sonderkommando. They had the task of preparing their brethren for the gas chambers (which involved telling the people that they were going to be taking a shower) as well as placing bodies in the ovens and carting out ashes for disposal. They receive benefits for this work; they are fed well, have better living quarters, are allowed alcohol, music, cigarettes. They raid the belongings of the dead for valuables to bribe Nazi guards with so they can move freely within the camp. And they get an extra four months to live. Yet the pall of guilt hangs over them all, and as they work they also plot an uprising that they hope will not only put a stop to the horrors that they witness, but bring them redemption as well.

There's nothing about this movie that I can find wanting. Performances are outstanding (yes, even David Arquette's). It's beautifully shot, and Tim Blake Nelson is clearly a confident and focused director. There's no score to speak of, only two scenes with music integral to the scene. Nelson keeps up a relentless atmosphere of fear and dread that never lets you off the hook. Seeing The Grey Zone once will be enough. I know I won't forget one frame.

- Lidia Ferrari

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