Monos

About Monos

"Monos" is a 2019 drama film directed by Alejandro Landes. Set on a remote mountain in Latin America, the story revolves around a group of teenage commandos, members of a shadowy guerilla squad who call themselves 'Monos'. They are tasked by a messenger for an unknown rebel organization simply known as 'The Organization' with guarding an American hostage, Doctora. The plot takes a turn as a power struggle ensues among the commandos and their hostage when they move from their camp in the remote mountainside to the dense jungle below, spiraling out of control.

Making / Production

The film was bolstered by its production value. Shot over 9 weeks in remote locations of Colombia, Alejandro Landes and his crew faced numerous challenges. The crew had to carry heavy equipment across muddy, rough terrains, battling ever-changing weather during the course of production. 'Monos' was shot primarily using 16mm film to capture the raw and urgent feel of the narrative.

Actors

• Moisés Arias plays the role of 'Bigfoot', the de facto leader of the group, who struggles with the pressures of leadership and the hardships faced by the members of Monos.
• Julianne Nicholson brought life to Doctora, the kidnapped American engineer. Her struggle for survival and bid for freedom in the movie was emotional and impactful.
• Sofía Buenaventura as Rambo delivers a haunting performance as the squad member who is more sensitive and conflicted than the others.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The title 'Monos' does not only refer to the nickname of the guerilla squad but also means 'Monkeys' in Spanish, which might symbolize their primitive, animalistic behavior.
• In order to deliver realistic performances, the young actors went through physically intense training, including military drills and survival tactics.

Awards

The film received critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including Best Film at the London Film Festival and was chosen as the Colombian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.

Quotes

• "Being a hostage is like being a yoyo." - Doctora
• "We're just monkeys killing monkeys." - Bigfoot

Music, Soundtrack

• Original Score by Mica Levi creates an evocative and melodic composition that complements the intense and at times dreamlike narrative.
• The soundtrack enhances the movie's exploration of primal human behavior, mixing indigenous rhythms with electronic elements to represent the film's raw and chaotic world.