Simon of the Mountain (2024) by Federico Luis: A Coming-of-Age Story of a Different Kind

Short Summary: Finding Yourself in the Mountain

Simon of the Mountain (Simón de la montaña) is an Argentine coming-of-age drama that tells the story of Simón, a young man on the cusp of adulthood who, while hiking, encounters a group of individuals living in a remote mountain community. As Simón spends time with them, he finds himself drawn to their unconventional lifestyle and begins to question his own identity and his place in the world. The film is a poetic and unsettling exploration of what it means to belong, blurring the lines between fitting in and finding one's true self.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32119337/

Link Review: https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/simon-of-the-mountain-review-federico-luis-cannes-1236017911/

About movie: https://www.semainedelacritique.com/en/edition/2024/movie/simon-de-la-montagne

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/simon-de-la-montana (France), https://www.universcine.com/films/simon-de-la-montana (France)

Detailed Summary: A Stranger in a Strange Land

• The film's protagonist, Simón, is an unmoored young man who lives in a city but feels a growing disconnection from his life.

• He decides to go on a mountain trip with his friends, a journey that is meant to be a simple escape.

• While on the mountain, he stumbles upon a small, isolated community of individuals who are living an unconventional and wild life, far from the rules and expectations of modern society.

• Simón is immediately captivated by their way of life and begins to spend more time with them, becoming an increasingly integral part of their group.

• As he gets closer to them, he starts to question his own identity, his past, and the path he is on. The film suggests that Simón is not simply trying to find a new community, but a new version of himself.

• The narrative follows Simón's emotional and psychological journey as he grapples with the lure of this new life and the reality of the one he left behind.

Director's Vision: The Freedom of the Other

Federico Luis, in his feature-film directorial debut, brings a deeply personal and observational vision to Simon of the Mountain. His aim was to create a film that is both a coming-of-age story and a poetic exploration of belonging. The film is shot with a naturalistic and intimate style, capturing the rugged beauty of the mountain landscape and the raw emotions of its characters. Luis's vision is to challenge the audience's perceptions of what it means to be "normal," using Simón's journey to suggest that true freedom lies not in conforming, but in embracing the parts of ourselves that feel most alien.

Themes: Identity and Belonging, The Wilderness vs. Civilization, and Self-Discovery

• Identity and Belonging: A central theme is the search for one's identity and a place to belong. The film explores what it means to find a community that accepts you for who you are, even if that person is in the process of being reinvented.

• The Wilderness vs. Civilization: The mountain serves as a powerful metaphor for the wilderness, a place where people can shed the expectations of society and live a more primal, authentic life. The film contrasts this with the stifling nature of civilization and its rules.

• Self-Discovery: Simón's journey is one of profound self-discovery. By getting lost in the mountain, he is able to find parts of himself that were buried under the weight of a life that wasn't his.

Key success factors: An acclaimed festival debut, a unique story, and a powerful performance

• A Cannes Premiere: The film's world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Critics' Week Grand Prize, is a major success factor. This prestigious award immediately solidified the film's reputation as a must-see for cinephiles.

• A Unique Coming-of-Age Story: The film’s unconventional approach to the coming-of-age genre—which is often sentimental—is a key factor. Simon of the Mountain is a raw, poetic, and at times unsettling film that offers a fresh perspective on a familiar topic.

• A Captivating Lead Performance: The film is carried by a powerful performance from its lead actor, Lorenzo Ferro, who brings a nuanced and compelling portrayal to a young man in search of his place in the world.

Awards and Nominations: A Grand Prize at Cannes

Simon of the Mountain was the recipient of the Grand Prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival's Critics' Week. This major award is a testament to the film's originality and the strength of its direction.

Critics reception: Universally Praised

Critical reception for Simon of the Mountain has been universally positive. The film has been widely praised for its raw authenticity, its unique narrative, and its masterful direction.

• The Hollywood Reporter called it "a unique and compelling coming-of-age film" and praised its "unconventional and poetic" style.

• Other reviews from Cannes have highlighted the film's beautiful cinematography and its ability to create a sense of place and atmosphere. The general consensus is that the film is a bold and impressive debut from a talented new director.

Why to watch this movie: A Daring and Unforgettable Film

• To See a Major Award-Winner: The film's Grand Prize at Cannes makes it a must-see for anyone interested in the best of international cinema.

• A Fresh Take on a Familiar Genre: If you're tired of formulaic coming-of-age stories, this film offers a raw, poetic, and at times unsettling new perspective.

• A Powerful and Poetic Film: The film is a beautifully shot and emotionally resonant work of art that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

• To Support a New Voice in Cinema: The film is a bold and impressive debut from a talented new director, and watching it is a great way to support the future of filmmaking.

Movie Trend: The Poetic Coming-of-Age Story

Simon of the Mountain fits into the trend of the "poetic coming-of-age story," which moves away from linear narratives and sentimental clichés to instead use a more atmospheric and symbolic approach to explore the emotional and psychological journey of a young person. This trend often uses a raw, naturalistic style to create a film that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

Social Trend: The Search for Authenticity

The film taps into the social trend of a younger generation's search for authenticity and meaning in a world that can often feel superficial and unfulfilling. Simón's journey to the mountain is a metaphor for a deeper journey to find a life that is truly his own, a sentiment that resonates deeply with an audience that is constantly navigating the complexities of identity in a digital world.

Final Verdict: A Flawed but Fun Ride

Simon of the Mountain is a stunning and unforgettable film that marks the arrival of a major new voice in world cinema. With its raw authenticity, poetic narrative, and bold direction, it is a coming-of-age story unlike any other. While its unconventional style may not appeal to all audiences, for those who appreciate a daring, emotionally resonant, and beautifully crafted film, it is an essential and rewarding watch.