Overview

• Federico Luis's debut feature, 'Simón de la montaña,' explores identity and belonging through the story of a young man's integration into a group of mentally disabled youths.
• The film won the Grand Prix de la critique at Cannes in 2024 and is now releasing in Argentina during a time of significant cuts to cultural funding under President Javier Milei.
• Shot in Mendoza, the film focuses on intimate close-ups of characters, emphasizing emotional nuance over expansive landscapes.
• Luis worked with non-professional actors with disabilities, whose performances challenge stereotypes and bring authenticity to the narrative.
• The film’s release is seen as a political act of defiance, highlighting the struggles of Argentine filmmakers under severe austerity measures impacting the nation's film industry.