Simon of the Desert is a 1965 Mexican surrealist satirical comedy film directed by Luis Buñuel and starring Claudio Brook and Silvia Pinal. It is loosely based on the life of the ascetic 5th-century Syrian Christian saint Simeon Stylites, who lived for 36 years on top of a pillar. The screenplay was co-written by Buñuel and his frequent collaborator Julio Alejandro.

Plot

The ascetic Simón Stylites has spent six years, six weeks, and six days on a small platform atop a pillar in the middle of the Syrian desert. A crowd of monks and peasants gathers around him and invites him to move to a much taller pillar that has been erected by a wealthy family to thank him for healing one of them. Peasants call out for his help as he is led the short distance to the new pillar, and his aging mother approaches and says she wishes to be near him until her death. He allows her to stay, though he says he will not acknowledge her so she does not distract him from his prayers. The monks attempt to bestow holy orders on Simón, but he refuses, saying he is an unworthy sinner.

Awards