Sergi López on 'Sirāt': A Journey That Makes You Look Inward
The compelling new film "Sirāt", Spain's latest contender for Oscar glory, follows a father named Luis as he embarks on a perilous trek through the vast Moroccan desert. Accompanied only by his twelve-year-old son and his loyal dog, his mission is to find his missing daughter, a quest that becomes an existential odyssey.
A Dystopian Backdrop Blending Grit and Rave Culture
Set against the stark backdrop of a hypothetical World War III, the film masterfully blends the raw, post-apocalyptic grit reminiscent of "Mad Max" with the vibrant, anarchic energy of 1990s underground rave culture. It charts the journey of nomadic youths, adorned in a distinctive hippie-punk aesthetic, who carry their passion for electronic music deep into the heart of North Africa.
"Drums of war, rumors of borders closing or armies moving," explained the film's star, Sergi López, in a video interview. "We feel that we are not doing science fiction; we are talking about how you move forward with the pain that you have to live in this world." Despite its futuristic setting, Oliver Laxe's "Sirāt" carries undeniable and haunting echoes of our present reality.
Echoes of a Painful Present
Luis represents a tragically familiar figure in certain parts of the world, particularly in Mexico, where parents are often forced to search for missing children alone, without official aid and under the constant shadow of violence. "Disappearance is worse than death. It's an eternal death," López poignantly stated. "Searching without finding is surely the hardest thing."
Since its celebrated premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize, the Best Original Score Award, and the whimsical Palm Dog Jury Prize for its canine stars Lupita and Pipa, "Sirāt" has generated significant buzz. This momentum culminated last week in Oscar nominations for Best International Feature Film and Best Sound. The winners will be announced at the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on March 15.
A Deeply Spiritual Vision
López, known for roles in "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Dirty Pretty Things", spoke highly of director Oliver Laxe's vision. "Oliver's vision has a deeply spiritual quality to it," he said of the 41-year-old French-born Galician filmmaker. "He said that this film ('Sirāt') forces the viewer — or rather what he proposes the viewer to do — is to look inward."
Discovering a 'Brutal Social Conscience'
The role allowed López to immerse himself in the "ravero collective", a community he initially misjudged. "I used to view them as a collective of immature people who took drugs, danced and did nothing else," the actor admitted. "Instead, I found a group with a brutal social conscience... Women feel safe, people accompany each other, people are aware of everyone else. When they dismantle the party, there is not a piece of paper left on the floor. I was very surprised."
Bruno Núñez Arjona delivers a moving performance as Esteban, the son who accompanies Luis. López recalled their immediate connection during casting, noting how the boy's parents smiled at their "odd couple" dynamic on set. "Bruno and I walking around the set. I think he had a blast. Especially during the scenes where there are cars moving and falling — it was like he was in an amusement park."
The Path Forward
Shot across the dramatic landscapes of the Moroccan desert and Teruel in Spain, "Sirāt" incorporates footage from a real three-day rave. The film's title, meaning "way" or "path" in Arabic, is profoundly fitting for a story set in a lawless dystopia where water is scarce, weapons abound, and travel is a lethal gamble.
Ultimately, for Sergi López, the film stands as a powerful testament to human resilience. "That's what life is about, trying to move forward with whatever you get," he reflected. "And if it's painful, then how do we do it? Surely by being accompanied by a family — even if it's a family of punks you don't know."
