The Desert Rave: A Mind-Bogglingly Senseless Quest
Sirāt, the Arabic term for the narrow path to paradise, could aptly describe the film's meandering journey through the Moroccan desert. Director Oliver Laxe's latest opus is a jarring experience that defies coherent storytelling and instead indulges in a psychedelic spectacle.
The movie begins with a rousing rave in the desert, an unbridled celebration of life, music, and abandon. It's a mesmerizing setpiece that showcases the beauty of Morocco's vast expanse. However, as two outsiders – middle-aged Luis and his young son Esteban – stumble upon this gathering, all sense of purpose and direction begins to unravel.
Luis's desperation is palpable as he searches for his missing daughter Mar, who vanished months earlier. The crowd at the rave seems both fascinated and repelled by these interlopers, their reactions ranging from hostility to sympathetic concern. But instead of delving deeper into the mystery, the narrative careens off the rails, leading to a series of increasingly absurd events.
The film's climax – a moment of tragic horror that leaves much unexplained – feels more like a Pythonesque farce than an emotionally resonant experience. As the story meanders further into the desert, the characters' actions become detached from any semblance of reality or purpose.
Veteran actor Sergi López brings some gravitas to his role as Luis, but even he can't inject enough sense into this mess. The supporting cast fares little better, with their character arcs reducing to shallow tropes and convenient plot devices.
What was once an alluring premise is slowly drained of its emotional impact, leaving the viewer feeling disoriented and disconnected. Sirāt is a mirage of unearned emotion, a pointless exercise in style over substance that forgets the power of storytelling altogether. With its fractured narrative and self-indulgent excesses, this film's only destination seems to be the desert itself – a desolate wasteland devoid of meaning or purpose.
Sirāt, the Arabic term for the narrow path to paradise, could aptly describe the film's meandering journey through the Moroccan desert. Director Oliver Laxe's latest opus is a jarring experience that defies coherent storytelling and instead indulges in a psychedelic spectacle.
The movie begins with a rousing rave in the desert, an unbridled celebration of life, music, and abandon. It's a mesmerizing setpiece that showcases the beauty of Morocco's vast expanse. However, as two outsiders – middle-aged Luis and his young son Esteban – stumble upon this gathering, all sense of purpose and direction begins to unravel.
Luis's desperation is palpable as he searches for his missing daughter Mar, who vanished months earlier. The crowd at the rave seems both fascinated and repelled by these interlopers, their reactions ranging from hostility to sympathetic concern. But instead of delving deeper into the mystery, the narrative careens off the rails, leading to a series of increasingly absurd events.
The film's climax – a moment of tragic horror that leaves much unexplained – feels more like a Pythonesque farce than an emotionally resonant experience. As the story meanders further into the desert, the characters' actions become detached from any semblance of reality or purpose.
Veteran actor Sergi López brings some gravitas to his role as Luis, but even he can't inject enough sense into this mess. The supporting cast fares little better, with their character arcs reducing to shallow tropes and convenient plot devices.
What was once an alluring premise is slowly drained of its emotional impact, leaving the viewer feeling disoriented and disconnected. Sirāt is a mirage of unearned emotion, a pointless exercise in style over substance that forgets the power of storytelling altogether. With its fractured narrative and self-indulgent excesses, this film's only destination seems to be the desert itself – a desolate wasteland devoid of meaning or purpose.
. On one hand, I love how it captures the essence of that Moroccan rave and the freedom that comes with letting go. It's like they took all those crazy festival vibes and put them on screen in a way that's super visually striking 
. But then, I start thinking about the plot and how it just kinda... stops making sense 
. Like, what's up with Luis's quest for his daughter? Is it really worth sacrificing everything else for? And don't even get me started on that climax - is it supposed to be some kind of commentary on life and death or just a weird joke? 
I mean, I loved Sergi López in this, he brought such depth to the character. But at the same time, I think the whole thing got lost in translation (no pun intended) and became more about style than substance 
.
and omg, that ending though 
it felt so out of place! anyway, i'm still trying to wrap my head around what just happened 
it was like watching a wild psychedelic dream but not in a good way 
like what even is the point of all these random events unfolding 
? and don't even get me started on the characters 
they were so one-dimensional and forgettable 
The music was insane, but that's about where it ended for me... I mean, what's with all the random characters and plot twists? It's like they took a bunch of cool ideas and just threw them together without thinking about how they'd fit together. And don't even get me started on the ending - I'm still trying to figure out what was going on! 
I love a good rave as much as the next person, but sometimes less is more, right? A clean narrative isn't too much to ask for in a film... 
but even he can't save this mess from itself. I get what the director was trying to do - create an immersive experience 
- but sometimes less is more, you know? It feels like they were so busy making it look cool and psychedelic that they forgot about actually telling a story 
. Overall, I'd say it's just a bunch of style over substance, and not in a good way 
.
! The fact that it's "sensless" is just code for "it's too trippy" and honestly, I think that's what makes it so interesting 
. The film's excesses are actually its strengths, in my opinion 
. it doesn't matter if the story makes sense or not, cuz what matters is the vibe nd the emotions u get from watchin it 
anyone else feel like they were left high and dry after watching this? 
and then suddenly it's just like what r they even doing out here 
and that ending tho 
like wut happened? 
anyway, i think the only good thing about this flick is that morocco looks straight fire 
gotta give oliver laxe some credit for that part 
... and yeah, it did NOT disappoint! 
. Can we just say it had some cool visuals and call it a day?
.