The film Sirat, directed by Galician filmmaker Oliver Laxe, arrives at the 98th Academy Awards with two nominations: Best International Feature Film and Best Sound. After a preselection in more categories, it will finally compete in these. In the international category, it faces films from Iran, Norway, Tunisia, and Brazil. In sound, its team, composed entirely of women, makes history as the first with this characteristic to be nominated.
Sound design as a character: a pioneering technical team 🎧
The Best Sound nomination highlights the work of a technical team formed only by women: sound designer Amanda Villavieja and mixers Eva Valiño and Carolina Santana. Their work in Sirat goes beyond ambiance; the sound builds the desolate and contemplative atmosphere of the Moroccan landscape, acting as a central narrative element. This technical approach, far from Hollywood's big noises, demonstrates how precision and auditory texture can define a film.
Mammals versus dinosaurs in the Dolby Theatre jungle 🦕
Oliver Laxe already warned about the dynamic: his low-budget film is a small mammal facing the dinosaurs of the industry. While blockbusters compete in decibels and spectacular effects, Sirat bets on the whisper of the wind and silence. It's like bringing a bicycle to a Formula 1 race. But who knows, on Oscar night sometimes the cunning of the mouse wins, especially if the jury values hearing every grain of sand.