There are countless films about artists, but very few are willing to laugh at the romantic myths that surround them. A Poet does exactly that. Simón Mesa Soto’s second feature is a bittersweet, sharply observed tragicomedy that explores ambition, failure and the uncomfortable gap between artistic ideals and everyday reality. Set in Medellín and shot on expressive 16mm film, it offers a refreshingly honest portrait of creativity—one that is as funny as it is quietly heartbreaking.
| A Poet | Movie Details |
|---|---|
| Country | Colombia |
| Year | 2025 |
| Genre | Drama / Comedy |
| Runtime | 120 min |
| Director | Simón Mesa Soto |
| Main Actors | Ubeimar Ríos, Rebeca Andrade, Guillermo Cardona |
Óscar Restrepo is a middle-aged man who once dreamed of becoming a celebrated poet but now finds himself trapped in disappointment and obscurity. When he encounters a young girl whose talent seems to offer a new sense of purpose, he unexpectedly rediscovers his passion for literature. What begins as a seemingly hopeful relationship gradually becomes an insightful reflection on artistic ambition, mentorship and the complicated desire to leave something meaningful behind.
Rather than portraying the artist as a misunderstood genius, A Poet dismantles that familiar image with remarkable wit. Óscar is neither heroic nor particularly admirable. He is stubborn, insecure and often painfully self-destructive, yet Simón Mesa Soto treats him with genuine compassion. The film never mocks its protagonist simply for failing; instead, it examines the fragile line separating conviction from obsession, asking whether artistic integrity is still meaningful in a world increasingly driven by visibility and success.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its balance between comedy and melancholy. Awkward encounters, uncomfortable conversations and moments of quiet absurdity create much of the humour, but beneath every joke lies a profound sadness. Mesa Soto understands that disappointment rarely arrives through dramatic events—it accumulates slowly over years of unrealised expectations, transforming dreams into habits that become difficult to abandon.
Visually, the decision to shoot on 16mm gives the film an organic texture that perfectly complements its themes. The grainy cinematography lends Medellín an intimate, lived-in quality, avoiding picturesque imagery in favour of everyday streets, cafés and modest apartments. The city feels authentic rather than cinematic, reinforcing the screenplay’s commitment to emotional honesty.
The performances are equally remarkable. Ubeimar Ríos, a non-professional actor, delivers an astonishing lead performance that feels completely unforced. His portrayal of Óscar is filled with contradictions: proud yet fragile, irritating yet strangely sympathetic. Rather than asking the audience to admire him, Ríos invites them to understand him. Rebeca Andrade brings warmth and naturalism to her role, while the supporting cast contributes to the film’s understated realism, blurring the line between fiction and everyday life.
Beyond its story about poetry, A Poet functions as a broader reflection on the creative process itself. It quietly questions how artists measure success, whether recognition truly validates artistic expression, and how easily cultural institutions can shape what is considered valuable. These themes resonate far beyond literature, making the film feel relevant to anyone involved in creative work.
Premiering in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, A Poet won the Jury Prize, immediately establishing itself as one of the festival’s standout discoveries. It later continued its successful international journey with awards at festivals including Melbourne and Munich, while also receiving nominations for the Independent Spirit Awards, the Goya Awards and the Ariel Awards, confirming Simón Mesa Soto as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary Latin American cinema.
Like its central character, A Poet refuses to follow conventional expectations. Funny, uncomfortable and deeply humane, it challenges the romantic image of the suffering artist without dismissing the genuine need to create. Simón Mesa Soto has crafted a film that is simultaneously a satire of artistic ambition and a heartfelt defence of it—one that reminds us that success and fulfilment are rarely the same thing. Quietly brilliant and refreshingly original, A Poet is one of the finest Colombian films of recent years.
