In a documentary about thrash metal, it’s when we lift out the noise that we see the relationships, pressures, song development, and reflections. And yet there’s no other way to share a story like this.
There is a striking scene from “Sirens” when two bandmates stare at photos on a phone while protesters loudly march by. While others chant “The fall of the regime,” Shery and Lilas gush over how cute Lilas’ date was. It’s the kind of shot that “Roma” influences, that once in a lifetime documentary shot, a moment of personal connection among chaos. It’s the kind of scene that would have made the cinematographer not-so-secretly freak out internally over a perfect shot. It’s the kind of shot that feels set up; something from a narrative film.
Except it’s from a documentary. It’s moments like that, unscripted but feeling like those from a narrative film, that keeps the film “Sirens” interesting as it plays with content, timing, and editing. There are few “talking head” interview scenes, creating a seamless experience even as it shares the rough and tumble world that surrounds our bandmates. The film seems to break documentary norms, just like the band does.
“Sirens” shares the environments, questions, musical talent, and songwriting abilities of the Lebanese thrash metal band Slave to Sirens. Among blackouts, explosions, protests, and sleeping in tents at music festivals, the musicians of Slave to Sirens strive to be themselves, to share their music with others, and to wrestle with a lack of freedom. The stories are drawn out over time; it has a home video feel. The film isn’t tightly wound and allows for some breathing room, even when their environment doesn’t.
It’s interesting that in a documentary about thrash metal, it’s when we lift out the noise that we truly see the relationships, pressures, song development, and reflections around Sirens. It seems that in a minimalistic environment, like an iPhone song writing or a single guitar and an amp, their talent truly shines.
And yet there’s no other way to share a story like this, the intensity of the thrash metal songs matching the explosions and the intensity of their world.
