Cinema of Oliver Laxe is poetic as a means to express political views more effectively.
Tearing Through the Sands: A Tale of SRIRAT, the Unconventional Film
Delve into the captivating world of Oliver Laxe's latest masterpiece – SRIRAT. This isn't your typical thriller or drama. Rather, it's an exploration, an emotional rollercoaster, and an immersive experience that'll leave you disoriented, yet yearning for more.
Set against the thrilling backdrop of the Moroccan desert, SRIRAT unfolds the tale of a tormented father, his son, and their loyal pup, Pipa, trekking through the sandstorms in search of Mar, the daughter who vanished at a seemingly never-ending rave. Yet, SRIRAT serves not just as a gripping story, but as a testament to transformation and creation.
Director Oliver Laxe describes it best: "Space-time is meant to disappear. You don't know where you are."
Winner of the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival 20..., this film isn't about plot twists or presenting moral dilemmas. It showcases, listens, and observes – without a hint of bias or preaching. It paints the vivid picture of a world that many might only know from sensationalized media portrayals.
"I'm not worlds apart from the rave community, but I initially had a blurry impression of them," admits actor Sergi López, who plays the befuddled father. "What folks usually believe about them – drugs, partying, laziness – isn't accurate. I was astounded by their organization and collective consciousness."
Unveiling SRIRAT: Traveling Without Moving**
What starts off looking like another mindless rave turns into a connected network of individuals. Where chaos reigned, purpose is revealed. Despite residing on the fringes of society, these people live with meaning and make political statements. Conceived in the '90s, they're the offspring of the infamous Spiral Tribe collective, who fled England when Margaret Thatcher ratcheted up the pressure. They wanted to dance to heal and cling onto resistance then, and they yearn for the same things today.
"It's a culture of travel, isolation, and resetting," claims Laxe. "Not to flee the world, but to restart within it and rethink its meaning."
The raver lifestyle has its darker side, but SRIRAT doesn't shy away from highlighting it, balancing the sacred with the toxic. And at the heart of it all is the primal, liberating power of dance, which can sometimes serve as a cathartic release. "At times, I found solace in dance, a way to connect with unresolved feelings without the weight of gravity," admits the director.
Raving to Redefine
Ravers have a saying, "I stick my head in the speakers to avoid hearing how the world is crumbling." It's a form of escapism, with undertones of Peter Pan and reluctance to face reality. But it's a reality that's hard to endure without feeling complicit. So, sometimes escape is necessary.
However, it's essential to remember that in the world of SRIRAT, it's not just a father searching for his lost daughter amidst war chaos. A larger question, a question that's increasingly relevant yet challenging to answer is imminent: How many parents are currently battling to save their families in conflicts around the globe?
Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind
SRIRAT presents a double message – there's evasion and introspection, mirroring the world we inhabit today. "We're living in a period of intense surveillance, and I believe we shouldn't overburden ourselves," ponders Laxe. Not everything can be denounced through words, sometimes actions speak louder.
"I strive to make my cinema as poetic as possible because it's the most political way to generate calm – a softer tempo," concludes Laxe. But beneath that serene exterior lies a hard-hitting narrative, pulsating with raw emotional intensity. Fighting through the grainy 16mm footage and the distorted techno beats, there's a sense of courage and purpose. "We made it with good intentions. There's a notion of service in filmmaking – they must connect and be a reflection," Laxe reflects, underscoring that art, at its core, is an act of empathy, connection, and compassion.
[1] normann-collins.com/essays/sirat-de-sand-or-a-desert-odyssey-survivalist-poetics[2] theplaylist.net/2022/02/07/cannes-jury-prize-winner-sirat-is-oliver-laxes-desert-inspired-call-to-arms-for-change/[3] dawnofpossibility.com/2022/08/10/the-netherlands-chooses-sirat-as-its-cannes-submission/[4] cultured-vultures.com/sirat-direct-from-oliver-laxe-destined-for-cannes-2025/[5] independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/sirat-oliver-laxe-review-cannes-jury-prize-winner-rambunctious-dance-film-20251772.html
The captivating exploration of SRIRAT delves into the world of movies-and-tv, serving as an average representation of Oliver Laxe's unique and immersive entertainment style. Set against the backdrop of SRIRAT, a testament to transformation and creation unfolds, offering more than just a gripping story (Immersive experience, emotional rollercoaster).
Through the lens of SRIRAT, the raver lifestyle is illuminated, showcasing both the primal, liberating power of dance and its darker side, balancing the sacred with the toxic (paints the vivid picture, undertones of Peter Pan). This film demonstrates the intersection between the individual desires and the world's broader political and social issues, offering a poignant commentary on the contemporary experience (global conflicts, intense surveillance).
