For many English-speaking audiences, watching foreign-language films is seen as a daunting task. Unlike the rest of the world, where subtitles are pretty common, there are just some people that can’t get over the fact that you may have to read while watching. For those people, we’d like to present “Monos,” the upcoming Colombian film that is minimalist in its dialogue but packs a hell of an emotional punch with its action.
And in honor of “Monos” arriving in theaters later this week, we’re thrilled to share an exclusive clip from the film showcasing just how powerful the imagery can be, without relying on constant dialogue. For those unfamiliar with the film, “Monos” tells the story of a young group of soldiers that train extensively during the day and indulge in their teenage whims at night, creating a “Lord of the Flies”-esque bond with each other.
READ MORE: ‘Monos’: Guerillas At The Edge Of The World [Sundance Review]
In the exclusive clip, we see what happens when the young soldiers have an English-speaking hostage, nicknamed Doctura. Without the use of dialogue, the tension in the clip ramps up until it reaches a boiling point. And in the process, audiences can see just the beauty and love that is put into “Monos” from the cast and crew.
“Monos” debuted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where it received the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award. And referencing scenes like what you find in the exclusive clip, our review calls it “a philosophical film with very few words, examining its ideas through powerful images and feelings.”
The film stars Julianne Nicholson and Moises Arias, alongside many untrained actors turning in incredible performances. “Monos” is written and directed by Alejandro Landes. Previously, the filmmaker worked on the films “Cocalero” and “Porfirio.”
“Monos” arrives in theaters on September 13.
Here’s the synopsis:
MONOS, Alejandro Landes’ awe-inspiring third feature, is a breathtaking survivalist saga set on a remote mountain in Latin America. The film tracks a young group of soldiers and rebels — bearing names like Rambo, Smurf, Bigfoot, Wolf and Boom-Boom — who keep watch over an American hostage, Doctora (Julianne Nicholson). The teenage commandos perform military training exercises by day and indulge in youthful hedonism by night, an unconventional family bound together under a shadowy force know only as The Organization. After an ambush drives the squadron into the jungle, both the mission and the intricate bonds between the group begin to disintegrate. Order descends into chaos and within MONOS the strong begin to prey on the weak in this vivid, cautionary fever-dream.
