“Oasis,” the debut feature film from German writer-director Jannis Lenz, is set to premiere in the Horizons section of the 83rd Venice Film Festival on Sept. 6. The drama centers on adolescent outcasts navigating themes of identity and violence within a school setting.
According to the film’s synopsis, a viral video depicting a student making threats toward classmates triggers a cascade of violent incidents at the school. In response to mounting pressure from educators and parents, three marginalized students escape to a nearby forest, where their interactions gradually evolve from play into ritualistic behavior. The refuge becomes a space where pain transforms into a coping mechanism until unresolved tensions resurface and reshape the relationships among the trio.
The cast includes emerging German performers Florian Geißelmann, Anton Petzold, and Mathilda Smidt, alongside established actor Godehard Giese. Additional cast members are Britta Hammelstein and Ioana Iacob. Lenz co-wrote the screenplay with Alexander Dirninger, who also served as cinematographer. The film was edited by Lenz and Melisa Krasniqi.
Prior to this feature, Lenz garnered recognition through his short films, including “Wannabe” (2017), which received a European Film Award nomination, and “Soldat Ahmet” (2021), which won multiple awards following its premiere at Visions du Réel in Switzerland. “Oasis” is a co-production involving German production company Zeitgeist Filmproduktion, Austria’s Wega Film, and Germany’s Third Picture, alongside several other production partners. A German theatrical release is scheduled for February 2027 through Mindjazz Pictures, with Totem handling international sales.
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