Tótem is a 2023 drama film written and directed by Lila Avilés. The film depicts the story of seven-year-old Sol, who is spending the day at her grandfather's home, for a surprise party for Sol's father, Tonatiuh. As daylight fades, Sol comes to understand that her world is about to change dramatically.[3] It was selected to compete for the Golden Bear at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, where it had its world premiere on 20 February 2023.[4] It is a co-production between Mexico, Denmark and France.
Sol, a seven-year-old girl, goes to her grandfather's home, where her aunts Nuri and Alejandra are throwing a birthday party for her father. It is probably his last, so in a sense it is also a farewell ceremony. With the onset of dusk, an unfamiliar and unrestrained atmosphere takes over, breaking the family bonds. For Sol, the world is about to change as she learns the essence of letting go and feels the breath of life.
Cast
Cast and crew of Tótem at the Berlin Film Festival 2023
On 7 July 2020, it was reported that Lila Avilés was planning for her new film, Tótem.[9] The film was among five upcoming feature projects to receive grants of €53,000 (US$60,000) from the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF), administered by the International Film Festival Rotterdam.[10]
Tótem was produced by Limerencia Films and Laterna, in co-production with Danish firm Paloma Productions and France's Alpha Violet Production, who are also distributors. It is the second feature film of Lila Avilés after The Chambermaid. Naíma Sentíes as Sol, Montserrat Marañon as Nuri, Marisol Gasé as Alejandrato and Mateo García Elizondo as Sol's father Tonatiuh are cast in main roles.[11]
The film opened in Mexican theatres on 30 November 2023.[27] Sideshow and Janus Films acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film, scheduling it for a limited theatrical release in New York on January 26, 2024 and in Los Angeles on February 6, followed by a nationwide expansion weeks later.[28] In January 2024, Salma Hayek Pinault, José Tamez and Siobhan Flynn came on board the film as executive producers through their company Ventanarosa.[29]
Reception
Critical response
On the review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes website, the film has an approval rating of 97% based on 77 reviews, with an average rating of 8.2/10. The website's critics consensus says: "A heartfelt film that tells a poignant story without straying into sentimentality, Tótem is a life-affirming triumph for writer-director Lila Avilés."[30] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 91 out of 100 based on 21 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[31]
Stephen Saito for Moveable Fest wrote in review that "A thrillingly vital family portrait about a clan that does its very best to celebrate someone they’re about to mourn.[32] Jonathan Romney reviewing for Screen International wrote, "This thematically rich piece offers a set of vivid character studies, while musing on life, death and time – largely from a child’s perspective."[33] Marina Ashioti writing in Little White Lies stated, "A tender spirit of warmth and levity permeates the screen, sustaining a buoyancy that keeps the film from sinking into mawkish waters."[34] Fabien Lemercier reviewing for Cineuropa praised the film and wrote, "It’s a film full of life and soul and a modestly deceptive work, for its significance is enormous."[35]
Accolades
Lila Avilés, the director with child actor Naíma Sentíes at Berlinale 2023
^Ejarque, Cristina (7 July 2020). "Lila Avilés prepares her new film Totem" [Lila Avilés prepara su nueva película Totem]. Cine maldito (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 February 2023.
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