Oscar-Winning ‘Zone of Interest’ Sound Designer Breaks Down ‘Ethical Approach’ to Recreating Chilling Noises of Auschwitz

As a connoisseur of the arts and a student of the human spirit, I am consistently awestruck by individuals who not only master their craft but also infuse it with such depth, sensitivity, and respect for the subject matter at hand. Johnnie Burn, the esteemed sound designer, is one such individual. His recent Oscar-winning work on “The Zone of Interest” serves as a poignant testament to his unwavering commitment to authenticity and ethical storytelling.


Sound artist Johnnie Burn, fresh from winning an Oscar for his remarkable sound design in “The Zone of Interest”, shares insights about the meticulous and thoughtfully planned approach he took to re-creating the sounds of Auschwitz for director Jonathan Glazer’s Holocaust-themed drama.

In the movie, we follow the true account of Rudolf Höss, a German SS officer, and his wife Hedwig, who resided in a farmhouse near the Nazi death camp, where their children grew up. The haunting noises emanating from the other side of the wall significantly contribute to the film’s eerie atmosphere. During a talk at the BFI London Film Festival on Thursday, sponsored by EbMaster, Burn discussed that an “ethical approach” was employed in making the movie. He emphasized the importance of avoiding sensationalism and maintaining respect throughout the production process.

In Glazer’s original idea, the use of sound aimed at conveying the vast slaughter occurring was considered the most morally appropriate approach, Burn stated. However, he emphasized that both he and the director were firm in their decision not to have actors feign this horrific event or murder, as it didn’t feel ethically justifiable.

Instead, Burn desired to venture into the actual world, seeking instances where individuals were experiencing distress or anguish. His aim was to capture these moments and utilize them to create a viewing experience that would evoke the same emotions.

With this thought in mind, he visited the protests for work and pension changes happening in Paris during 2022, which he described as “providing an abundance of authentically French detainees.” He also attended local football games in rural Germany, where young German men were heard using aggressive dialects.

I exclaimed, “It’s not just about listening to the spoken words, but there’s an intrigue in capturing the raw sounds of nature – it seemed more authentic than attempting to rephrase those concepts.

Working with Glazer since their first joint project in 2013’s “Under the Skin,” Burn has also contributed to various films directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, including the critically acclaimed and multiple Oscar-nominated “Poor Things.” For Lanthimos’ upcoming film “Bugonia,” Burn revealed a unique method that Lanthimos uses when it comes to music, once again entrusting the score to Jerskin Fendrix, who had also worked on “Poor Things.

Fendrix composed and recorded the entire soundtrack for “Bugonia” based on a mere three-word prompt, with the cast and crew kept in the dark about the script. Burn has recently viewed a cut of the film and found it remarkable, describing the climactic scene as exceptional.

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2024-10-10 18:46