The Siren

The captivating film that kicked off the Panorama section at the last Berlinale transports us to the dawn of the First Persian War through a unique lens: the perspective of a teenage boy living in the war zone, who decides to stay with his grandfather while they await his older brother's return from the frontlines. When he comes across an abandoned ship, bearing the enchanting name “Sirena,” he will use it as an ark of salvation. In her first foray into animation, the multifaceted director, photographer, and visual artist Sepideh Farsi harnesses the power of animated illustrations to reshape aspects of the world that no longer exist, to bring to the surface lost narratives, and to unearth hidden layers of the “official” historical past. Through a palette of reds, petrol hues, and sand tones, and by employing a unique 3D illustration technique, Farsi reimagines the history of her family and her country with vivid colors and added dimensions, capturing the tragic impact of war. It's apparent that Farsi understands that each siren possesses its own unique song – a song that, while seemingly erasing memories, retains its own persistence and clear recollection.