Spain's 'Sirat' Chosen for Oscars: A Journey Through Rave Culture and Family Bonds

The Spanish film 'Sirat' has been officially selected to represent Spain in the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. The announcement was made by filmmaker Pablo Berger after 'Sirat' was preselected on September 3, competing against 'Romería' by Carla Simón and 'Sorda' by Eva Libertad. Ultimately, Oliver Laxe's compelling narrative earned its place. Starring Sergi López and Bruno Núñez, 'Sirat' tells the story of a father's harrowing journey to a rave in the Moroccan desert. He is on a quest to find his daughter and sister, who went missing amidst the chaos of these vibrant celebrations. Set against a backdrop of electronic music and a trance-like atmosphere, the film explores the search for personal lost connections while highlighting the communal experiences that such raves can foster. While 'Sirat' will represent Spain at the Oscars, it does not guarantee a nomination for Best International Feature Film. The Academy will announce the 15 finalists for this award on December 16, with the five nominated films to be unveiled on January 22, 2026. Since its debut, 'Sirat' has captured audiences, winning the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and achieving significant box office success, grossing €25 million in Spain and €5 million in France. Laxe, in an interview with El HuffPost, expressed that although his aim was not to create a thesis on rave culture, he wanted to capture the freedom these spaces might offer. In his words, 'There is something about the dancing and that catharsis of dance that I find very healthy and uplifting. It’s a tribal human gesture we have had since time immemorial.' He also reflects on the pressures of finding clarity amid grief, an element he sees mirrored in rave culture. For him, coexisting with personal wounds and embracing this human experience is essential. Sergi López, who plays the lead role, spoke about Laxe's extreme vision for the film, indicating that the journey itself is about facing and accepting personal challenges: 'More than finding solutions, it is about facing it, accepting it... It is about approaching the abyss.’ López appreciates this perspective inviting him to leap into uncertainty, echoing the essence of the film's narrative. Spain's recent contenders for the Oscar, such as 'The Snow Society' (2022) and 'Pain and Glory' (2019), have not secured nominations since 1999 when Pedro Almodóvar's 'All About My Mother' won the award. Spain has historically claimed three Oscars in this category, but the latest achievements have not yielded victory in over two decades. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is set to take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and as excitement builds, many will eagerly await to see if 'Sirat' can make its mark at this prestigious event. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2