. Details about the Auschwitz-set film, which is loosely based on the novel by Martin Amis, have been kept under wraps, although no less a Cannes personage than festival director Thierry Fremaux described it as “quite a challenging film.” Glazer’s first movie since 2013 sci-fi fantasy “Under the Skin” is sure to be among the more talked-about films bowing on the Croisette.
“Zone of Interest” is the latest example of an industry opening its arms to the world. The U.K.-Poland co-production, which is distributed by A24, highlights the robust infrastructure Poland has set up to host international productions, thanks to world-class below-the-line talent, a 30% cash rebate and costs that are substantially lower than in Western Europe.
While Poland’s theatrical market grew to become Europe’s sixth largest before the coronavirus pandemic struck in 2020, audiences have been slow to return to cinemas. Total box office in 2022 was up nearly 150% from the previous year, approaching $128 million according to Box Office Mojo, but that was a far cry from the record-shattering $272 million haul in 2018.