Simon of the Desert was directed and by Luis Buñuel, and really serves to show the capacious nature of mankind. Simon, has been on top of a pillar in the middle of a desert for 6 years, 6 months, and 6 days ( a coincidence?) praying, in order to show his devotion to God. People of all walks of life, from a thief whose hands have been cut off, to the Priests of the nearby church, come by in an attempt to witness a miracle, in a thinly veiled attempt to pay their respect. After Simon asks God to restore the thief's hands, the first action the man does with his hands, clasp them together and thank god? I think not, instead he slaps his child, showing that he was not really repentant, and was just taking advantage of Simon's good graces with God. After everyone witness this miracle, they all leave, having seen what they came there to see. It is after this that the devil appears to Simon first in the guise of a beautiful young woman, and then disguised as Jesus (played by Silvia Pinal, the wife of the man financing the films) and tries to get Simon to step off his pillar. The pillar represents Simons attempt to literally get closer to God and get away from earthly desires. As the devil tries to convince Simon to leave the pillar he or she is trying to have Simon renounce God, by giving up, on his internal promise to God. It is not clear whether the Devil has visited Simon any time before visit. If the devil had not visited Simon before then, why was he/she visiting now? It stands to reason that something must have changed, perhaps the fact that more people were going to see Simon and witness the healing power of God, this could have upset the Devil enough to put a plan in motion. Taking Simon away from his pillar.
Review of Simon of the Desert
