Jannis Lenz’s Debut ‘Oasis’ Explores Teen Healing Through Painful Rituals at Venice
German director Jannis Lenz premieres his first feature, “Oasis,” at the Venice Film Festival, depicting three teenagers using violent rituals to confront emotional wounds.
Jannis Lenz’s first feature film, “Oasis,” opened in the Horizons lineup of the Venice Film Festival, presenting a stark portrait of three adolescents who create a fragile sanctuary in a forest by inflicting and sharing physical wounds. The story tracks newcomer Andy, his friend Lukas, and music-school student Maya as they move from macho games to intimate rituals that expose both physical and psychological scars. Lenz, a former assistant to Michael Haneke and mentee of Jessica Hausner, stresses a highly structured pre-production phase followed by on-set improvisation, supported by an intimacy coordinator to build trust among the young cast.
The narrative also includes scenes of anti-violence instruction and counseling, suggesting a nuanced view of German society’s response to youth alienation. Lenz, who grew up near the site of the 2009 Winnenden school tragedy, insists the film treats every character’s motives seriously without casting clear heroes or villains.
Why it matters
The film offers a fresh, unsettling look at how modern youth cope with trauma and societal pressure.
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