The title ’Simón de la montaña’ and sometimes called ‘Simón of the Mountain’ signifies the focus of this film,’Simón Ferro’ who lives in reality of disillusionment and feeling lonely. The movie was directed by Federico luis who was doing his debut and the movie covered the truest events a teenager goes through the times. The main character was played by Lorenzo Ferro as a ’disabled teenager’,Thanks to Simón’s experience in a high school ,he grows up learns how to fit into society and understands how the people around him think. The movie is going to be made releasable in 2024. It is needless to say that the movie is one of the finest adaption and stones the coming of age genre.
Cast:
- Lorenzo Ferro as Simón
- Kiara Supini as Colo
- Pehuen Pedre as Pehuen
- Laura Nevole as Simón’s mother
- Agustín Toscano as Agustín
- Camila Hirane
Critical Reception: The film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2024, in the Critics’ Week section, where it won the Critics’ Week Grand Prize.
Critics have praised the film for its provocative narrative and compelling performances. Allan Hunter of Screen Daily describes it as “original, emotional and provocative,” noting that it “finds a fresh way of addressing adolescence and disability.”
Debanjan Dhar from High On Films commends Lorenzo Ferro’s performance, stating that the film “is a compellingly unusual, bracing excursion into the messy inroads where identity meets desires that may not always be instantly agreeable.”
The film holds a 6.6/10 rating on IMDb, based on 131 user ratings.
Awards:
- Cannes Film Festival 2024: Critics’ Week Grand Prize
- Lima Film Festival 2024: Best Picture; Best Actor for Lorenzo Ferro
- Santiago International Film Festival 2024: Best Performance – International Competition for Lorenzo Ferro
Cultural Significance: In ‘Simon of the Mountain’ the authors examine how society views disability and identity and the impact that has, in both works and useful societies. Still, the film solves a puzzle on how a regular individual manages to fit into a paralyzed community. How authentic and accepting such an adjusted person is? What is normalcy to begin with?
Aesthetic Style:Federico Luis employs a naturalistic visual style, utilizing handheld cinematography to create an intimate and immersive experience. The film’s setting against the backdrop of the Andes Mountains adds a poignant layer to Simón’s journey, symbolizing both isolation and the quest for elevation beyond societal constraints.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights: The screenplay is based on the personal life of director Federico Luis who used to work as a teaching assistant in a drama school dedicated to the rehabilitation of disabled people. This explains the realism evident in the character as well as the theme of the film. It is noteworthy that Pehuen Pedre, a character who mentors Simón in the film, was an aspiring actor Luis met at the time.
