Simo (2023)

Simo (Basel El Reyes) has lived in the shadow of his older brother, Emad (Seif El Reyes) his entire life. He gets picked on at school, he struggles to make friends, and the life that Emad leads appeals to him but is out of reach. One day when Simo sneakily takes over Emad’s gaming channel he accidentally puts himself and his family in danger. Things are about to change for this family in the worst ways.

At the start of the film viewers get an honest depiction of what it’s like to live in someone else’s shadow. Viewers are able to understand and appreciate what it is that Simo is experiencing, and that transcends the entirety of the film. The film exists on a small scale at this point, and it allows viewers access to the story and the character development–easing us into the greater story that would come just a few minutes later. Simo slowly develops into something bigger, something beyond what I’m really able to comprehend, but the slow development up to that point allows the film to make sense, and to appeal to viewers in a series of ways.

SPOILER ALERT!:

In the second act of Simo, the titular character tells the world that there is a bomb in his room. He’s smitten by the attention, unsure of how to handle the short-lived popularity, and while he’s completely in the wrong, I don’t think that viewers can blame him for his actions. This is the moment in which the narrative begins to spiral, when it takes a massive step toward the drama that was brewing through the first act of the film. Simo is nothing but drama at this point. There is no more fun and games like there were before, there was no more brotherly rivalry–Simo at this point only covered the aftermath of Simo’s actions. I love the drastic shift in tone in regard to this film. I think that it’s of immense importance that Writer-Director Aziz Zoromba jumps right in rather than playing the slow game. By doing this viewers are able to feel the veritable explosion of emotion that would have befallen Simo and his family after his poor decision–and as the tone shifts we become more present in the film.

There are a series of messages present in Simo, many of which are easy to understand. One of those messages is the negativity that comes from social media. Many people often find themselves hiding behind their computers or becoming something that they aren’t on social media platforms, and that’s the harsh reality of Simo. He’s a nobody, a person that has struggled to find any sort of stability in his social life, so when he’s afforded the opportunity to shine, he takes full advantage. It’s so important that Zoromba express these ideas about social media, because it’s becoming a trend where lonely or socially-awkward individuals are putting themselves and others at risk as a result of the internet. The internet can be a place for learning, a place for growth–but it’s important to address the negatives that come with it as well.

Zoromba is relatively direct in his approach throughout the course of Simo. While I suppose some messages and ideas are hidden just beneath the surface of the film, the majority of what the film is meant to express exists right out in the open. With that, viewers are able to easily dissect the film, to understand it, and to appreciate all that went into it. Simo is beautifully written and it’s sure to resonate with a wide-variety of viewers. Zoromba has constructed an accessible film that needs to be seen.

Written & Directed by Aziz Zoromba.

Starring Basel El Rayes, Seif El Rayes, Aladeen Tawfeek, Kho Pham, Gerardo Lo Dico, etc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10