Exploring the Cinematic Vision of Oliver Laxe: A Journey Through “Sir?t”
Sir?t, an Arabic word meaning “path” or “way,” is also the title of a film by Franco-Spanish director Oliver Laxe, born in Paris in 1982. Laxe’s work is known for its radical, physical, and profoundly spiritual approach to cinema. His latest film, Sir?t, is a survival story set in the Sahara, where a father, played by Sergi Lopez, searches for his missing daughter amidst a group of European ravers as the world teeters on the brink of collapse.
The film, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes and a Spanish candidate for the Oscars, is a total sensory experience, comprising hostile landscapes, electronic trance, and temporary communities. This is where our interview with its director begins, delving into the themes, inspirations, and creative processes behind Sir?t.
Early Encounters with Rave Culture
Laxe’s interest in rave culture dates back to his adolescence, a period marked by studying art in a gray industrial city in Spain. However, it was during his time in Morocco, where he lived in a palm grove near Ouarzazate and attended a rave, that he reconnected with this culture. For Laxe, dancing is not just a form of expression but a ceremony that allows one to connect with their strength and fragility, serving as a tool for self-discovery.
Casting Real Ravers
In casting the film, Laxe sought to honor the beauty of rave culture, often misrepresented. He looked for mature individuals capable of connecting with their fragility, aiming for truth, fragility, and goodness without judgment. The film explores solidarity among wounded people, highlighting that when life pushes us to the edge, we are all the same, and our shared humanity becomes paramount.
Collaboration with Sergi Lopez
Working with Sergi Lopez, a professional actor, was a new experience for Laxe. Despite initial reservations, Lopez’s commitment, generosity, and ability to let his body speak were extraordinary. The preparation involved living together, creating a familial bond, which was crucial given the physical and psychological limits they reached during filming in the desert.
Classical Tragedy and the Desert
Laxe often reflects on classical tragedy and its purpose: to transform and purify through catharsis. He aimed for spectators to experience their own death, believing it’s healthy for society to confront death to become more free and emancipated. The desert, where the story unfolds, is a place of serenity for Laxe, where one feels small, yet senses are heightened, and decisions are crucial, often leading to mystical thoughts.
Sound and Cinematography
Sound is a fundamental element in the film, with the goal of building a real soundscape where music communicates with the image, not merely decorating it. Laxe worked on grain, rhythm, and texture, akin to 16mm film, seeking a profound connection between sound and image. Shooting in 16mm in the desert was challenging, but Laxe embraces exploring limits and surrendering to life, allowing it to shape the film.
A World on the Brink of Collapse
The film’s setting suggests a world heading towards global war, reflecting Laxe’s feeling that this world is not sustainable. He believes in connecting with the wound that has no borders or flags, and the film was born from the desire to dialogue with this historical moment. Watching it is hard but necessary, as through death, we reconnect with life.
Exploring Other Artistic Fields
Laxe moves into other artistic fields and works with young people, considering it essential. He recently created a show with live music and images for a young audience, aiming to invite them back to cinema as a place of self-discovery and growth, much like how art and cinema saved him in his youth.
Appreciation for Alba Rohrwacher and Alice Rohrwacher
Laxe expresses his respect for Alba Rohrwacher, who was on the jury that awarded Sir?t the Grand Prize at Cannes. He also admires the work of her sister, Alice Rohrwacher, considering her one of the directors with the most future in the world, considerate of the people she films, which Laxe finds fundamental.
For more insights into Oliver Laxe’s vision and the making of Sir?t, visit Here