A Stormy Beginning: Simón’s Journey of Self-Revelation

Set against the backdrop of the Andes in Mendoza, Argentina, “Mountain Simon” follows 21-year-old Simón as he navigates a turbulent period of self-discovery. After finding camaraderie with a group of young people with disabilities, Simón experiences a newfound sense of belonging. though, his transformation raises concerns among those closest to him, prompting the central question: who does Simón truly want to be?

Directed by Federico Luis, this thought-provoking film delves into the complexities of human potential and challenges conventional representations of disability in cinema. The film will be released on April 23, 2025.

The Core Question: Is Simón Disabled?

Simón’s quest to obtain a Certificate of Handicap to join his new friends highlights the film’s central theme. His friend,Pehuén,advises him that the more you do the idiot,the better to obtain the certificate. This raises the question of whether Simón is truly disabled, a question that lingers throughout the film, prompting both the characters and the audience to contemplate the nuances of disability and identity.

director federico Luis explains, I think all the characters in the film ask themselves the question, except the mother maybe. He further elaborates that the film intentionally avoids providing a definitive answer, allowing Lorenzo Ferro’s performance as Simón and the film’s editing to convey the character’s complex blend of concerns, projections, passions and obsessions that revolve around the concept of disability.

Beyond Empathy: Embracing the “Dark” Dimensions of Disabled Characters

Unlike films that often portray disabled characters in a solely positive light to evoke empathy, such as forrest Gump, Gilbert Grape, or Rain Man, “Mountain simon” dares to explore the multifaceted nature of its characters, including their dark and even manipulative sides.

A personality with several facets is constitutive of any human being. those who present them as beings of light, tender, kind, take away their human dimension. It seemed to me essential and useful to reintroduce this chiaroscuro.

Federico Luis,Director

This approach aims to present a more authentic and human portrayal of individuals with disabilities,acknowledging their full range of emotions and experiences.

Exploring Desire and Breaking Taboos

“Mountain Simon” fearlessly tackles the topic of desire among individuals often marginalized from mainstream representations of pleasure. The film challenges societal norms and expectations, questioning the limitations imposed on those perceived as “excluded.”

The director of the centre in the film asserts, You are free to have a love life but outside this establishment. Here there are rules! This statement underscores the restrictive attitudes the film seeks to dismantle.

I am fascinated by the choice forms of tenderness, those which, unconsciously and without calculation, short-circuit the dominant affective morality by other forms of love and madness. And if, on this occasion, the film a little jostles our relationship with madness, its won!

Federico Luis, Director

Authentic Representation: Disabled Actors Take Center Stage

A key element of “Mountain simon” is its commitment to casting disabled actors in disabled roles. This decision directly addresses the historical practice of casting neurotypical actors to portray disabled characters, a practice often compared to the problematic history of blackface.

Federico Luis expresses his delight in challenging this prejudice, stating, In many films, we still choose to hire neurotypical actors to embody the disabled (as with the blackface of the cinema of the 1930s: white actors grimted in black).I am delighted to be able to question and twist my neck for this prejudice,say goodbye to a world that dies and see a new world emerge. He also questions whether cinema has the power to change our perceptions of the world.

Beyond Compassion: Treating Actors with Respect and Professionalism

The director emphasizes that the disabled actors in “Mountain Simon” were treated with the same respect and professionalism as any other actor. They were cast through a rigorous audition process, rehearsed extensively, and compensated for their work.

We worked their interpretations with the same requirement as for any other actor.I never imagined treating them in a softer or paternalistic way. What I tried to do, on the other hand, is to protect them from a condescending or compassionate look, a look so common and yet so questionable.

Federico Luis, Director

The filming schedule was notably fast-paced, lasting only 16 days, further highlighting the professional surroundings on set.

Challenging Normality: Re-examining Perceptions of Disability

“Mountain Simon” ultimately challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of normality and disability. The film questions the very language used to describe disability, with the director expressing a preference for the term hyperception.

Cannes recognition and Concerns for Argentine Cinema

praised for its authenticity at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, “Mountain Simon” received the Grand Prix during the 63rd Critics’ Week.Despite this success, Federico Luis expresses concerns about the future of argentine cinema, citing the current political climate.

He laments the current president’s approach to cinema and culture, stating, Javier Milei, the current president, chose to make cinema and culture his political enemies to carry out his campaign. He has systematically gained the dismantling of Argentine culture with frightening cruelty and oriented towards wild capitalism. He fears that without support for diverse voices and federal cinema, filmmaking in Argentina will become increasingly difficult.