Jannis Lenz’s Debut Feature ‘Oasis’ Explores Adolescent Bullying and Rituals in German-Austrian Co-Production

Director Jannis Lenz has made his feature directorial debut with the German-Austrian co-production "Oasis," which premiered at the Venice Film Festival's Horizons section. The film examines the complex psychological dynamics of teenage isolation, depicting three high school students who form an insular bond through increasingly unusual rituals following a humiliating incident at school.

Plot and Character Dynamics

The narrative centers on Lukas, played by Florian Geißelmann, a quiet and artistic student whose sole parent is his father Martin (Godehard Giese), a teacher at the same school. Lukas befriends Andi, portrayed by Anton Petzold, the son of a soldier stationed at a nearby military base. Andi quickly becomes a target for severe peer bullying, which is captured in a video that circulates on social media.

Joined by Maya, played by Mathilda Smidt, the three teenagers retreat to the woods surrounding their German hometown. There, they establish an arcane shared reality, engaging in bizarre, non-sexual bonding activities that include touching, biting, and shooting paintball guns at homemade protective gear. While these rituals provide comfort and a non-judgmental space, they also isolate the teenagers further from their peers and alarm the adults in their lives.

Production and Style

"Oasis" was written by Jannis Lenz and cinematographer Alexander Dirninger, with production handled by Zeitgeist Filmproduktion, Third Picture, and Wega Film. The film features German dialogue and runs for 117 minutes. Critics have noted the film's controlled, detached visual style and deliberate pacing, drawing stylistic comparisons to severe Austrian formalism.

Practical Implications and Verification

For readers and film enthusiasts following international cinema, "Oasis" represents a notable debut from Lenz, who previously apprenticed within European art-house circles.

• What is confirmed: The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival (Horizons) on September 5, 2026. It stars Florian Geißelmann, Anton Petzold, and Mathilda Smidt, and was produced as a Germany-Austria co-production by Zeitgeist Filmproduktion, Third Picture, and Wega Film, with world sales handled by Totem.
• What remains unknown: Broader theatrical release dates, distribution schedules outside of festival screenings, and international availability have not been detailed in initial reviews.
• How to verify: Readers can review the original publication and festival coverage through the official Variety review at [Variety's Oasis Review](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/oasis-review-1236859441/).