A Poet's Struggle: A Colombian Farce of Literary Failure and Stubborn Belief

Simón Mesa Soto's film 'A Poet' follows a failed Colombian writer's quest for redemption and the true meaning of art.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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In Simón Mesa Soto's 'A Poet,' Oscar Restrepo, a failed Colombian writer living with his mother in Medellín, keeps a photo of the author José Asunción Silva above his mantle. Despite his lack of success, Oscar remains a steadfast believer in the power of poetry. When he takes a job teaching at a local high school, he becomes determined to mentor a soft-spoken student named Yurlady, urging her to apply to a prestigious poetry workshop run by his more successful friend Efrain. The film is a tragicomic exploration of the art world, where success often belongs to those who compromise their vision.

Why it matters

The film provides a nuanced and ironic commentary on the expectations and challenges faced by artists, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, in navigating the complexities of the creative industry. It questions the notion of artistic purity and success, highlighting the tensions between commercial and idealistic pursuits.

The details

Oscar Restrepo, played by nonprofessional actor Ubeimar Rios, is a figure of farcical perfection - a tortured artist whose life is equal parts comedy and tragedy. Despite his lack of literary success, he remains steadfast in his belief in the power of poetry. When he takes a job teaching at a local high school, he becomes determined to mentor a student named Yurlady, urging her to apply to a prestigious poetry workshop run by his more successful friend Efrain. The film explores the dynamics between these characters, as well as the broader tensions within the art world.

  • The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, where it won an award in the Un Certain Regard section.
  • Director Simón Mesa Soto first broke out in Cannes with a prize-winning short in 2014.

The players

Oscar Restrepo

The film's central character, a failed Colombian writer living with his mother in Medellín who remains a steadfast believer in the power of poetry.

Yurlady

A soft-spoken high school student whom Oscar takes under his wing, urging her to apply to a prestigious poetry workshop.

Efrain

Oscar's more successful friend, a smooth-talker acclaimed for his social issues writing who runs the Poetry Viva workshop.

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What they’re saying

“You're a poem. A pretty sad one.”

— Efrain, Oscar's friend (San Francisco Chronicle)

“I'm a poet.”

— Oscar Restrepo (San Francisco Chronicle)

“You're unemployed.”

— Oscar's sister (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

Simón Mesa Soto's 'A Poet' is a nuanced and ironic exploration of the challenges faced by artists, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, in navigating the complexities of the creative industry. The film questions the notion of artistic purity and success, highlighting the tensions between commercial and idealistic pursuits.