Simon of the Mountain / Who defines who you are?

‘Simon of the Mountain’ is a fictional coming-of-age story, starring and centering a group of young people with intellectual disabilities in South America as they navigate the path to adulthood.

Simon, who does not have an official certificate of disability, finds community and acceptance with his new friends, while his parents are increasingly irritated by his behaviours. With an ambiguous ending, the film invites the audience to question how we see disability, and who should get to define the word.

This co-production between Chile, Uruguay and Argentina has won multiple prizes at international film festivals, including the Critics‘ Week Grand Prize at Cannes. Several of the main characters are portrayed by lay actors with intellectual disabilities giving empathic debut performances.

Director: Federico Luis
Chile, Uruguay and Argentina, 2024
Spanish with English subtitles
98 minutes

Trigger warning: Parental abuse

Event
After the film, we will split into smaller groups to discuss the film and topics of identity, community and representation; guided by SUMH, the Danish Association of Youth with Disabilities (ca. 30 minutes). Moderators will provide prompts as well as material to write down thoughts and ideas, which we will collect on poster boards later. The event will mainly be in English, with the possibility of discussion groups in Danish and Spanish.

Access for people living with disability
Cinemateket has few seats for larger wheelchairs. While this is unfortunate, we hope that the event will be attractive to as many people living with physical disability as possible. If the wheelchair-accessible seats in the cinema are sold out and there is demand, we will host a free parallel screening of the films in Asta Bar, where the subsequent panel discussion will also take place. Please email us at globalhealthfilm@sund.ku.dk to express your interest.

You can always call us on 29782636 if you have any questions, need assistance, or need help with your booking.

Cinemateket provides free admission to companions accompanying individuals living with disability who have a membership card from either the Danish Association of the Blind (Dansk Blindesamfund) or a companion card from the User Service of Disability Organisations (Invalideorganisationernes Brugerservice).

There is step-free access for wheelchair users through the entrance to the courtyard at Landemærket 26. In the courtyard, there is also a parking space for people living with disability.

Get your tickets on +45 3374 3412 or order them here: https://www.dfi.dk/cinemateket/biograf/filmserier/serie/26949
See the full festival programme here: https://globalhealth.ku.dk/film/