A Struggling Poet’s Mentorship of a Young Student is Filled with Laughs, Grimaces, and Heart

What:

Un Poeta is set in Medellín, Colombia and stars Ubeimar Rios in his first film role. Rios depicts Oscar Restrepo, an irrelevant poet who once achieved notable accolades in his youth but has since been living in poverty and emotional turmoil. He struggles with alcoholism, social awkwardness, and generally navigating everyday life due to his grandiose image of what the life of a “poet” should be.

He soon discovers and begins mentoring Yurlady, a poor 15-year old student and a promising poet. His desire to mentor Yurlady is complicated by … well, himself.

Throughout the film, he balances his relationships with his distant daughter Daniela, his more successful peers at a local poetry center, and his own bloated ego, which only masks his insecurity and discomfort when confronting difficult aspects of real life. He tries to improve, of course, but things don’t always go as planned.

Why:

Un Poeta blends drama and comedy beautifully. You’re constantly flipping between laughter and sympathy, and you’re often unsure of what will happen next. Although Oscar is the farthest thing from perfect (or even likable), you can’t help but feel a well-meaning connection to him, especially in comparison to his peers.

This is a fantastic example of a work with a cohesive vision. The budget is small and the cast is largely composed of unknown actors. The aged aesthetic of weathered film and constant camera movement risk alienating the modern viewer. But it all works together because the story is focused and filled with characters who feel true to life. In short, Un Poeta is a wonderful testament to the power of storytelling.

Overall, this is a touching movie for an advanced learner. I highly recommend it as your next watch.

How:

Un Poeta has a runtime of 124 minutes (2 hours 4 minutes). It is currently available to stream via Mubi in the USA.