Where Flames Linger: Oliver Laxe's Cannes Winner 'Sirat' Ignites the Screen with a Haunting Glimpse

Oh, what a compelling tease we’ve just been given! The trailer for Oliver Laxe’s "Sirat"—known also by its more evocative title, "O que arde," or simply, "Fire Will Come"—has dropped, and honestly, it’s nothing short of mesmerising. This isn't just any film; this is the one that snagged the coveted Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. And you can absolutely see why from these brief, potent glimpses.

Right from the start, the trailer pulls you into a world both stark and breathtakingly beautiful, set deep within rural Galicia. We meet Amador Coro, our central figure, who’s making a return home after a stint in prison for—well, arson. Yes, you heard that right – fire, a recurring, almost haunting motif. There’s a quiet intensity about him, a man clearly burdened by his past, yet drawn back to the familiar, if unforgiving, landscape. And the visuals? My goodness, they are just stunning, isn’t it true? Wide shots of mist-shrouded forests, the crackle of dry undergrowth, the raw, unpolished faces of the locals.

What strikes you, I think, is how Laxe manages to create such an immersive atmosphere. It’s not just a story; it feels like an experience. The film, from what the trailer suggests, isn’t afraid to lean into the slow burn, allowing the landscape itself to become a character. There are moments of quiet reflection, then sudden, jarring cuts that remind you of the ever-present danger—the fire that brought Amador low, and the fire that perhaps still lurks. And yet, there's a strange beauty in it all, a kind of primal connection between man, nature, and destruction. Interestingly, Laxe often works with non-professional actors, lending an incredible authenticity to his narratives; you really feel it here.

It’s a powerful cinematic language, you could say, one that relies on images and implied tension as much as, if not more than, dialogue. Critics at Cannes, bless them, were already singing its praises for its unique blend of documentary-like realism and deeply poetic storytelling. Laxe, for his part, has a knack for making films that feel lived-in, raw, and profoundly human, often exploring themes of belonging, the untamed wilderness, and man’s fraught relationship with it. And this film, honestly, appears to be a crowning example of that distinctive style.

So, as the trailer concludes, leaving us with a lingering sense of mystery and a desperate need to know more, one can only anticipate the full cinematic journey. "Sirat" promises to be more than just a film about a man and a fire; it feels like an elegy, a meditation, perhaps even a warning, all wrapped up in an unforgettable visual tapestry. We'll be waiting, certainly, to see this one ignite on screens.