In Jannis Lenz’s “Oasis,” the turbulent years of adolescence are not depicted as an empty wasteland, but rather as a dense, mysterious forest. This metaphor anchors the German-born, Austrian-trained filmmaker’s unsettling and meticulously crafted directorial debut, which centers on three marginalized high school students.
Seeking refuge from their hometown in Germany, the interdependent trio retreats into the surrounding woods. There, they construct an esoteric, shared reality that serves as both escape and bond, offering a stark contrast to the bullying and alienation they face in their daily lives. The film stands as a striking exploration of how young people navigate the most difficult periods of their lives by creating their own private worlds.
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