The critically acclaimed film “Sirāts” will arrive in Latvian cinemas on February 20, 2026, offering audiences a chance to experience what has been described as a radical work of European cinema. The film has received two nominations for the 98th Academy Awards: Best International Feature Film and Best Sound.
Directed by Oliver Laxe, “Sirāts” follows Luis (Sergi López) as he journeys with his son Esteban and their dog Pipa to a music festival in the Moroccan desert in search of his missing daughter. The film explores themes of family and the conclude of the world, set against the backdrop of a landscape populated by those seeking escape from life and oblivion. According to the film’s description, the title “Sirāts” references a straight path in Islamic tradition – a bridge over hell, finer than a hair and sharper than a sword – mirroring a passage between Morocco and Mauritania, with the scorching sands of the Sahara below.
Laxe’s vision for “Sirāts” was inspired by the work of Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, specifically his film “Taste of Cherry.” The director aims to examine human authenticity and responses to profound upheaval and existential crises. The film is characterized by its pulsating techno rhythms and breathtaking visuals of the Moroccan desert, combined with a score created by Kangding Ray, resulting in a cinematic experience that is both visceral and transcendent.
“Sirāts” garnered significant international recognition prior to its Oscar nominations, winning the Jury Prize at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. It also received nine nominations at the European Film Awards, winning five. The film has also been nominated for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA award.
Latvian audiences will be able to view “Sirāts” at the Splendid Palace, K Suns, and Kino Bize cinemas. The film will be presented in Spanish and French with Latvian and English subtitles, and carries a 16+ age restriction. A-One Films Latvia will distribute the film.
The film was previewed at the second “Lācis, lauva un zars” (Bear, Lion and Branch) contemporary film festival. Special screenings related to the Oscar nominations will also be offered, providing additional opportunities for audiences to view the film. The Almodóvar brothers, Pedro and Agostin, collaborated with Laxe on the production of “Sirāts.”
