Simon of the Desert 1965 The ascetic Simon believes he is a sinner and decides to self inflict a sacrifice, living like a hermit on the top of a pedestal in the middle of the desert to be closer to God and resist the temptations of the world His followers are peasants and travelers that believe that Simon is a saint capable of performing miracles and they crowd to hear his speeches However, Satan tries to tempt him with the pleasures of the world