elpais.com
Sirât": A Nihilistic Road Movie from Cannes
Oliver Laxe's "Sirât," competing at Cannes, follows a father's desperate search for his daughter lost at a Moroccan rave, intertwining this journey with a nomadic sound troupe, culminating in a nihilistic road movie exploring themes of rave culture, societal collapse, and the search for meaning.
- How does the film's depiction of rave culture contribute to its overall message?
- The film contrasts the utopian rave culture—a response to post-industrial collapse—with the harsh realities of war and death subtly alluded to in news reports. This juxtaposition underscores the characters' search for meaning and solace amidst chaos. The rave's repetitive techno beats are presented as a religious experience, symbolized by giant speaker towers resembling the Kaaba.
- What is the central theme of "Sirât," and how does it reflect contemporary anxieties?
- Sirât," Oliver Laxe's film competing for the Palme d'Or at Cannes, follows a father searching for his daughter lost at a Moroccan rave. He joins a nomadic sound troupe, transforming the journey into a nihilistic road movie. The film's intense sound design and visuals, shot in 16mm by Mauro Herce, create a powerful, immersive experience.
- What are the potential long-term implications of the film's ambiguous ending and open interpretations?
- Sirât" transcends a simple narrative, offering multiple interpretations. The film's powerful imagery and ambiguous ending leave the audience pondering the characters' fates and the broader search for meaning in a chaotic world. The director's use of sound and visuals creates a visceral and unforgettable cinematic experience.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is largely positive, emphasizing the film's artistic merits, intensity, and originality. The description of the film as a "brutal trance" and a "nihilist and unbridled journey" sets a strong and evocative tone, potentially overshadowing any potential weaknesses or criticisms. The comparison to influential films like Mad Max and Asphalt Road enhances the film's perceived value. The headline, while not explicitly provided, would likely contribute to this positive framing.
Language Bias
The language used is generally descriptive and evocative, using terms such as "brutal trance," "desoladora respuesta," and "ruido furioso." While these terms are not inherently biased, they contribute to the overall positive and intense tone, potentially affecting the objectivity of the review. Neutral alternatives could include: "intense experience," "sobering response," and "powerful sound."
Bias by Omission
The review focuses heavily on the director's artistic choices and the film's aesthetic qualities, potentially neglecting other critical aspects like plot specifics or character development beyond brief descriptions. The political, contracultural, and religious interpretations mentioned are left largely open-ended, lacking detailed analysis or supporting evidence from the film itself. While this omission might be attributed to the need for brevity in a review, it limits the reader's ability to fully assess the film's merit beyond its stylistic presentation.
False Dichotomy
The review presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between the "classic adventure" beginning and the later "nightmare" section of the film, potentially overlooking nuances or complexities in the transition between these two phases. This oversimplification may affect the reader's understanding of the film's narrative structure and thematic progression.
Sustainable Development Goals
The movie portrays a rave culture that embraces diversity and community, fostering a sense of belonging among individuals from different backgrounds. This challenges social inequalities and promotes inclusivity, aligning with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).