The 1961 trial of Adolf Eichmann, a principal architect of the Holocaust, is revisited in a gripping and surprising new vision from American filmmaker Jake Paltrow. Based on true accounts, June Zero is told from the unique perspectives of three distinct figures: Eichmann’s Jewish Moroccan prison guard; an Israeli police investigator who also happens to be a Holocaust survivor and a precocious and clever 13-year-old Libyan immigrant. Entirely shot on 16mm film, Paltrow’s vividly textured work brings to life the varied experiences of these characters, emphasizing that the same historical events are often perceived differently by people around the world. June Zero underscores the notion that shared traumas have the power to forge the strongest bonds and give rise to unexpected moments of triumph and connection. As the film delves into the complexities of the human experience during this pivotal trial, it serves as a poignant reminder that history’s impact can be both diverse and unifying.
For in-depth thoughts on June Zero, please see my colleague Tia Fabi’s review from its original theatrical release here.
Video Quality
June Zero makes its Blu-Ray debut with a rich 1080p video presentation in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio that captures the soft 16mm cinematography perfectly. The natural color palette saturates the screen with nuanced colors found in the locales. Black levels avoid most signs of banding as they largely maintain their depth. The flesh tones are natural with impressive detail present in close-ups. The image is textured with prominent grain but largely free of print damage. The period production design and clothing provide welcome textural details. The presentation shows off a substantial amount of depth when out in the fields. This Blu-Ray is an ideal representation of this movie on physical media.
Audio Quality
The film comes to Blu-Ray with a steadfast DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track in the original mixture of Hebrew and Spanish that matches the high quality of the video. As is the case with most non-English language releases from this label, English subtitles are forced rather than optional. Dialogue and environmental effects are balanced effectively with the score where nothing gets muddled in the track. The movie features little in the way of kinetic thrills, but there is a consistent ambiance in the surround channels that makes the world feel more three-dimensional. The low end of the track is not a major presence. Overall, Cohen has done pretty good work with this one.
Special Features
- Theatrical Trailer: The two-minute trailer is provided here.
Final Thoughts
June Zero is a unique entry point into the fallout of the Holocaust which has otherwise been documented pretty thoroughly in narrative form. The film chooses not to focus on those who assisted in unforgivable atrocities, but rather those touched by the lingering memory of these evil acts. The film is loosely tethered together with a trio of viewpoints that are executed to equally strong effect. Cohen Media Group and Kino Lorber have released a Blu-Ray featuring a great A/V presentation but not much in the way of supplemental features. Recommended
June Zero will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital on August 13, 2024.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Cohen Media Group and Kino Lorber have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
