SIRĀT

Synopsis

A father and his son arrive at a rave deep in the mountains of southern Morocco. They’re searching for Mar – daughter and sister – who vanished months ago at one of these endless, sleepless parties. Surrounded by electronic music and a raw, unfamiliar sense of freedom, they hand out her photo again and again. Hope is fading but they push through and follow a group of ravers heading to one last party in the desert. As they venture deeper into the burning wilderness, the journey forces them to confront their own limits.

Statement of the director

I’m drawn to the everyday meaning of the word “Sirât”, which translates as “path” or “way.” A path that has two dimensions: the physical and the metaphysical, or spiritual. “Sirât” is the inner path that pushes you to die before you die – as happens to the main character in this film. It’s also the name of the bridge said to connect hell and paradise.

Many of us wonder whether, as individuals and as a society, we are truly capable of change – of not endlessly repeating the same mistakes. It’s far from obvious. We’re living through destabilising times. No matter how good our intentions may be, no matter how much our surroundings compel us, changing course is incredibly hard. And yet, in near-death experiences, something within us seems to crack open. In those moments, transformation becomes possible. For the better. These are situations of radical authenticity, where life grabs you and asks you who you really are – where you feel it throws you into an abyss with no safety net in sight. Life demands that you close your eyes and cross a field full of landmines. In moments like these, I’m convinced that human beings can bring out the best in themselves – a strength rooted in survival, but also in our true essence.

Review

Screen International Review