I dare anyone to not have an extreme reaction to Sirât, the bold, brave, gut-punching cinematic spectacle from Óliver Laxe, which is nominated for two Academy Awards including Best International Feature (via Spain). This merciless look at a gaggle of desperate people on the brink of the apocalypse is astonishing stuff. It’s a true sensory experience that can prove transcendent. Sirât, as Laxe says, is a beast!
The film opens with a shot of giant speakers that soon begin blaring deep techno music as a host of ravers start to move to the hypnotic, pulsating beat—allowing themselves to be transported from the precarious world they live in to another place altogether–a more metaphysical space.
Set in the Moroccan desert, the narrative begins with middle-aged Luis (Sergi López) who is searching for his missing daughter, Mar. Accompanying him is his young son, Esteban (Bruno Núñez Arjona), and their dog Pipa. They begin to ask everyone at the rave if they’ve seen Mar. No one has, but someone mentions to Luis that she could be at the next big party which is taking place deeper in the desert. Suddenly military men arrive, end the festivities, and insist that all Europeans evacuate the area. World War III has, possibly, broken out. But we aren’t given many details.
People either accompany the militia or flee the scene. Luis and Esteban decide to follow a quintet of ravers, in hopes of locating Mar, so they join Stef (Stefania Gadda), Jade (Jade Oukid), Josh (Joshua Liam Henderson), Bigui (Richard Bellamy), and Tonin (Tonin Janvier) on a treacherous journey deep into the desert, over high mountains, confronting psychological, physical and emotional horrors—as well as vertigo—I was terrified just sitting in the audience! Then, near the one-hour mark, something shocking and ghastly occurs. And things get even more mad from there.
The word “Sirât,” is Islamic and refers to the straight path or bridge over hell that believers cross to enter paradise on the Day of Judgment. The bridge represents the fine line between good and evil, requiring people to commit to righteousness. However, Laxe’s haunting, creation seems to be committed to a randomness. The righteous aren’t necessarily saved or spared. These lost souls are on a perilous journey where death can come at any given moment.
The film is also about the choices/decisions we make, that even the smallest ones could take us down a different path, sometimes a deadly one.
Screenwriters Laxe and Santiago Fillol have crafted a harsh, meditative, incendiary film where stunning visuals (kudos to ace DP Mauro Herce) and aural sensations are key to the success of this monumental achievement.
Laxe filmed a few shorts before making his feature debut with You All are Captains (Todos vós sodes capitáns) which premiered at the Director’s fortnight at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival and won the FIPRESCI prize. His follow up, Mimosas, filmed in the Atlas Mountains won the Nespresso Grand Prize at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
His third film, Fire Will Come, world premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, taking home the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize.
Sirât won the Jury Prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and also copped 5 European Film Awards as well as many other accolades including receiving 11 Goya nominations. And, in addition to the Best International Feature Oscar nod, it is also up for Best Sound.
A NEON release, Sirât, opens in theaters this Friday.
The Contending had a blast video chatting with Laxe.
