Simón del desierto (Short 1965)

Simón del desierto: Directed by Luis Buñuel. With Claudio Brook, Enrique Álvarez Félix, Hortensia Santoveña, Francisco Reiguera. Simon, a deeply religious man living in the 4th century, wants to be nearer to God so he climbs a column. The Devil wants him to come down to Earth and is trying to seduce him.

“This surrealist film is based on St. Simon Stylites who lived circa A.D. 400. He was a ragged ascetic (well played by a bearded Claudio Brook) who spent thirty-seven years atop a seventy-foot pillar preaching to Christian flocks and avoiding temptation . As he is tempted by the devil (a beauty Silvia Pinal) under various forms.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis rare movie is largely considered a Luis Buñuelu0026#39;s masterpiece. Itu0026#39;s a comic parable about a tattered anchorite with some humor and hilarious criticism to Catholic Church. After returning his native country, Spain, by making u0026#39;Viridianau0026#39; but this film was prohibited on the grounds of blasphemy, then Buñuel with his screenwriter Julio Alejandro go back Mexico where realizes in low budget u0026#39;Simon of the desertu0026#39; and produced by Gustavo Alatriste. Good and atmospheric cinematography by excellent Mexican cameraman Gabriel Figueroa. Religious music for a pilgrim hymn and of course u0026#39;the drums of Calandau0026#39;, Luis Buñuelu0026#39;s location of birth . This movie won deservedly the Special Jury Prize at the 1965 Venice Film Festival. Nice strange story for Luis Buñuel aficionados, being hauled by some reviewers as one of the best short film – forty minutes- ever made. Rating : Above average, worthwhile watching.”