In the 98th edition of the Oscars, the Spanish film Sirat, by Oliver Laxe, returned empty-handed. The film competed in two categories: best international film, won by the Norwegian Sentimental Value, and best sound, an award that went to F1: The Movie. With this nomination, Spain added its twenty-first attempt for the international Oscar, an award it has won on four occasions.
Sound capture in extreme exteriors: the technical challenge of 'Sirat' 🎤
The nominated sound team, formed by Amanda Villavieja, Laia Casanovas, and Yasmina Praderas, faced complex conditions. Recording in remote locations in the Moroccan Atlas, with wind and open natural environments, required meticulous field work. The use of specialized wind protectors, lavalier microphones hidden in the clothes of the non-professional actors, and high-resolution portable recorders was key to capturing the raw atmosphere and spontaneous dialogues that characterize the film.
The sound Oscar goes to a V6 engine, not the silence of the mountains 🏆
It seems that at the Oscars, the roar of a Formula 1 engine carries more weight than the whisper of the wind in a desert. While the Sirat team pursued the pure sound of introspection and nature, the Academy has awarded the sonic power of engineering at full throttle. A clear lesson: to win the statuette, sometimes a good mixing studio is more effective than climbing a mountain with a microphone in hand.