Siren opens like a curious sci-fi film but slowly transitions into a compelling story of real life horrors and the harsh realities of growing up in the Middle East. Set in an Israeli high school, Siren gives us a glimpse into the lives of fresh-faced youngsters not quite ready for the world beyond the confines of their school walls. The cinematography is breathtaking, relying on warm colors and natural light to bring out the innocence of the schoolchildren. Siren also shows us that jockeying for position, bullying, cliques, pranks, and flirtations are part of teenage life in every country on every continent. The students' fears and hopes and dreams are universal. The relationships are familiar. And that's ultimately what makes Siren so satisfying. We get to know these kids and the culture in which they are trying to survive - with the added twist that "survival" in this land takes on a more literal meaning than much of the world.
