Jago invited me to the cinema. Upon arrival, I had thought that we were going to see the movie The Thing (1982). I was prepared for this film and not for the next almost two hours of devastation and squeamishness.

I was told that it was nominated for best international film and that it was ‘very good’, and ‘worth the watch’. I went into it filled with whimsy and optimism, intrigued by the synopsis and excited to hear the score.

Leaving the cinema I was left with a sense of dread and as if my innocence was stolen from me.

Okay, I’m being dramatic.

But it was still very horrifying.

It was the first time that I had ever covered my eyes in a cinema in fear, looking over at Jago with a shocked and traumatised look on my face.

Now, I will say, visually and audibly it was amazing. The score is one of my all times favourites. It was amazing to hear and to experience in a cinema, especially one with a great sound system.

The film was immersive, it left me on the edge of my seat and gave me a physical reaction every time something happened. Which I think, in that sense, is the makings of a great film. As I am writing, Jago is next to me, reading each paragraph as I type. “So it was worth seeing?”

Yes, it was. It was worth the watch. The issue that I have with the film, is the cruelty and harshnes that was used with the characters, was unnecessary. Oscar Laxe wanted to portray a sense of absurdism and existentialism that came off as corny and insensitive.

The main character, Luis was used as a motif for death and as well as a way to show how refugees travel and cross the Sahara. It felt like a ‘white knight’ story and the aestheticization of struggle.

I found it offensive and difficult to agree with. It felt as if it were catered towards white audiences and as they say, ‘champagne socialists’.

I find this idea of ‘life has no meaning’ ridiculous. When Luis crossed the desert, he told his partners in this adventure that in order to avoid the mines, he thought of nothing. That he cleared his mind and walked.

In my opinion, I can’t say I agree with this. I do think he was thinking about something, after all of the loss he went through, there was a need to survive. That’s what I believe.

Essentially, my dislike towards it has nothing to do with the actual film and all to do with the director and the way he applied his thoughts and ideals into the film.

I can’t say that I enjoyed Sirat, but I can say that the appreciation for it and understanding of it is there. As I’ve said before, the score and the visuals are what made the film for me. The way Laxe was able to apply deep industrial techno music to anxiety inducing and deep scenes is genuinely admirable.

It’s a unique film and it is deserving of the praise it gets. If any of you are interested in watching this film, watch it on a big screen with a good sound system.

On the walk home and the hours after, all I could think about was the film. The sound that pulsated in the cinema, my gasps and me whispering repeatedly “close the window! Close the window!” As well as, “nope, no, nope!” Or how my body curled up into a ball, stressed and worried about the characters that I had come to love and care for.

Leaving the cinema after watching a movie I had previously no knowledge of felt refreshing. And it will be something that will stick with me forever.