Go see Sirât. It’s not widely screening in LA right now, but it is playing at Alamo Drafthouse, which is where I saw the Spanish film, through next Wednesday. The movie is about a Spanish man, his son and their dog traveling in Morocco to find his daughter, who has disappeared into the desert rave scene some months earlier. A war breaks out, the ravers decamp to the south of the country and the father and son follow them deeper into the desert.
There’s a lot going on in Sirât and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, so the one thing that I will mention is that the sound design is exceptional. The score is frequently diegetic, meaning that it’s the music the characters in the film hear, and it interacts with their surroundings in both clever and realistic ways. For example, you can hear the crackle of techno pouring through busted speakers and the way a song fades into the wind when you’re driving in the middle of nowhere with the windows open. This all adds to the story, but you need to hear it for yourself.
Sirât is a beautiful, and heavy, film that will stick with you after you leave the theater. See it with someone else so that you can talk about it afterwards. Like I said, it looks like Alamo is the only place in L.A. showing Sirât this weekend and next week, but it’s right in the middle of downtown, literally above a Metro station where four trains converge, so it’s a fairly convenient for most people. Plus, they have half-priced screenings on Tuesday and bottomless popcorn, which is a plus even if you have to order from your phone now. In Orange County, Sirât is playing at The Frida, which is also an excellent movie theater and is walking distance from the Metrolink stop in Santa Ana. Plus, Metrolink has$10 day passes on the weekends, a good option if gas prices have you reconsidering plans right now.
But, wait, there are more recommendations below.
Concerts
The one show that really interests me this weekend is Maria BC at Zebulon on Sunday, March 15. The Oakland-based singer and guitarist just released a new album, Marathon, on Sacred Bones and it’s a lovely album, something that would definitely be of interest to people who are into 1990s 4AD, Low, slowcore kind of stuff. Storefront Church opens the night. Tickets are available on Dice.
Dance Clubs
My pals over at LA Industrial have a new party officially launching on Thursday, March 12. Obscene is a monthly goth/industrial night with resident DJs Industria Nova and Damascus Knives over at The Slipper Clutch. There’s no cover and they’ll also be giving away a pair of tickets to see Covenant.
Friday night, as always, is Club Underground at Grand Star Jazz Club with Larry G. playing open to close. Décadanse is Saturday night at the Grand Star with DJs Pierrot and Fifi LaRoux playing French pop on vinyl all night. Over at The Monty on Saturday night, Mark Label, Unholy and guest DJ Lee play goth, wave and Italo for Danse-X. On Sunday afternoon, Saltbox Sessions is happening at Hello Stranger, with the City Pop Bassist, Zaku.86 and more. This is a fun, chill day party where you can dig through Saltbox’s crates of vinyl too. Starts at 1 p.m. and goes until 7 p.m.
Movies
Remember last week when I mentioned that Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is worth your time? Well, it’s still showing around Los Angeles right now. You might be able to catch it at Alamo Drafthouse, Vidiots, Brain Dead, The Culver Theatre or maybe select AMCs.
As for revival screenings, Perfect Blue, the 1997 anime thriller from Satoshi Kon that’s a must-see, is playing throughout the weekend at Los Feliz 3. See It on 16mm is bringing Harold & Maude to the Eastwood on March 15. They’re touring the classic on 16mm throughout the month, so there will be other chances to see it. Also on Sunday, Brain Dead screens Bubble Bath, which is a very beautiful, and trippy, 1970s animated film from Hungary. And, on Monday night, Cinematic Void presents The Apple at the Los Feliz 3. If you’re never seen The Apple, do yourself a favor and watch it in an actual movie theater with real life human beings. It’s far more entertaining that way.
Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Follow on Instagram or sign up for the weekly, Beatique newsletter for updates on new stories and gigs.
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