Monos

In the deepest and most extreme area of Colombia, a group of teenage soldiers begin their morning with an intense training routine. Way up high in the mountains, shut off from everyone except The Messenger (Wilson Salazar) these guards have been tasked to keep a watchful eye on their hostage, a prisoner of war known only as Doctora (Julianne Nicholson). Due to their excellence of performing this task, they are rewarded with a milk cow named Shakira, there to provide them with nutrients and vitamins. Despite being remote from whatever’s happening on the ground, they still manage to achieve conflict within one another. Their animalistic nature and recklessness causing chaos for each member of the group, leading them further down the mountains into the heart of the jungle, where the point of no return takes full effect.
 
Monosis certainly not an easy watch. Within the first few minutes the chemistry is made clear between the group. We’re not made aware of the children’s upbringing but by the way they handle every issue with violence, it’s enough to sprout a picture. Violence isn’t just used to deal with conflict but it is the only way to pass the time. Pleasure is gained whenever their guns are being set off, brawling with each other is their favourite past-time activity and even birthdays are celebrated by whipping the celebrator for every year they are old.  
 
Writer and Director, Alejandro Landes has stated that Lord of the Fliesis one of the main influences for the film and his intention has certainly come across with every review seeming to make the clear comparison. The way these kids fight for authority and how they handle each other when their left in charge definitely has connotations from William Golding’s classic novel. But the backdrop of this film expands that idea even more. It’s a mixture between Aguirre, Wrath of Godand Apocalypse Now, both films famous for their visuals, allegory and behind the scenes difficulty. Not much has been revealed with the making of Monos, but considering both shooting locations for this film have never been used before due to extreme weather conditions, I very much doubt the cast are eager for a sequel. It’s frankly a great feat on its own how the crew were able to achieve this much within the film with a budget of only 2 million dollars.
 
Its message may not be subtle but the film is so awe-inspiring that I never wanted to look away anyway. Monos’imagery is some of the best this decade, using the clouds and haze to provide a tranquil environment contrasting with the barbaric personas on screen. It doesn’t withhold any information from its audience. Anything that may be considered ill-favoured stays in frame. The one clear takeaway being – nature is beautiful, but people aren’t.
There’s a sense of uneasiness during the first act when we are unsure where this story may go and which characters may lead us there. Luckily as soon as the film switches to the jungle, the primary heads are made clear. Being the MacGuffin of this feature, Doctora is very much part of the centrefold. The ragtag group of kid commandos find their rightful squad leader in Bigfoot (Moises Arias), Lord of the Flies’ Jack with dreadlocks; whilst the reserved Rambo (Sofia Buenaventura) clutches to the last grasp of humanity that may be left within this group.
 
Monosis not only a movie that takes its characters on a journey of self-exploration, but its audience as well. Depicting how cruel human beings can be but yet knowing that this type of behaviour is not instinct but taught. Also that even atop these mountains, away from civilisation and a life they presumably have forgotten, they’re still looking for love and companionship within one another.
 
10/10