Tótem

Subtle but thoughtful family drama in which acclaimed director Lila Áviles accurately reflects the different nuances of each character and shows the different ways in which each of them faces an imminent tragedy within the family nucleus.

Lila develops the plot in an almost poetic way with visually attractive but meaningful shots that represent the interaction between the characters.

The young and promising actress Naíma Sentíes offers a spectacular performance in which she manages to communicate through her gaze and few dialogues the endless emotions that a child can't fully process in such a complex situation.

Warm and emotional, Tótem is a film that stands out from the average Mexican production in terms of substance and form.

Tótem follows Sol, a seven-year-old girl, as she spends a day at her grandfather's house, where her family is making preparations for a surprise birthday party for Sol's father, Tona.

This movie could be described as a cinematic stream of consciousness since the family dynamics depict dysfunctionality seen in different ways in each character and how they manage with the fact that Tona has cancer and his deteriorated health make any future uncertain.

Tótem is efficient in saying without words. Communicating with images that speak louder than any dialogue could. This allows the development of the story to be smooth yet effective in an empathic and natural way.

"Totem" (2023) is a poignant exploration of Mexican family dynamics, touching on themes that will resonate deeply with many Latin Americans. Directed by Lila Avilés, this film dives into the intricate web of familial relationships, showcasing the beauty and melancholy intertwined with life and death.

The narrative centers around the everyday interactions of a family, capturing the authenticity and warmth of Mexican culture. The film's strength lies in its ability to portray the universal yet unique experiences of Latin American families. The portrayal of shared meals, heartfelt conversations, and the silent understanding between family members are all depicted with a genuine touch that feels both intimate and relatable.

Avilés' personal connection to the story is evident, and the heartbreak woven into the narrative feels profoundly real. There is a beautiful, but also rather placid, sadness at the core of this film. It offers a reflective look at the beauty of death and the sorrow of life, making it a meditative experience.

However, the film's contemplative pace and subdued tone might not appeal to everyone. While the emotional depth is palpable, the narrative can feel a bit too stagnant at times. The pacing might be considered slow for viewers looking for more dynamic storytelling or dramatic twists.

Tona is dying and this is the day of his birthday and his family are holding a party for him. Lila Aviles' stunning debut feature "Totem" observes the events of the day in almost forensic detail and how they impact on all the participants; Tona's father, his sisters, his extended family and friends, his carer and most of all on his young daughter, Sol, who doesn't know her father is dying yet senses it nevertheless.

There's nothing sentimental nor particularly dramatic in Aviles' film. It's as if she and her camera just dropped by to record the events of just one day in these people's lives and what happens is both funny and moving like life itself. All the performances are superb and Naima Senties is often quite extraordinary as Sol. On the strength of this one film Aviles would seem to have quite a future ahead of her.

The everyday lives of average individuals ordinarily might not make for especially engaging storytelling. However, when they're framed within the context of extraordinary circumstances, they take on an added new dimension, as witnessed in the second offering from Mexican writer-director Lila Avilés. This warm, heartfelt, bittersweet comedy-drama tells the endearing story of a family hosting a birthday party for Tona, a young, beloved painter battling advanced cancer (Mateo Garcia Elizondo), told largely through the perspective of his seven-year-old daughter, Sol (Naíma Sentíes), who hopes against hope for her father's recovery. As events play out, viewers watch as Tona's family makes preparations for the celebration - often involving simple tasks told with delightfully funny twists that provide much-needed comic relief - as well as the various means with which his relatives are dealing (or not dealing) with an apparently impending inevitability that no one really wants to address or discuss. Yet what might seem destined to be an exercise in forced festivities with an underlying sense of morbidity turns out to be a loving, earnest celebration of life, despite the undeniable presence of an unwanted, intangible "guest" lingering in the background. While the film incorporates a few sequences that are inherently a little too incidental in nature compared to the larger overall narrative, "Tótem" nevertheless serves up a charming, touching, authentically presented tale that reaches out to audiences and surrounds them with sincere, loving feelings and a big, well-earned hug. This National Board of Review winner and Independent Spirit Award nominee is a fine, little-known indie gem that will surely move you, even if it leaves you with uncomfortably mixed feelings as its story unfolds. It effectively illustrates that there indeed can be times of boundless, overwhelming joy even in the face of overwhelming lament but that what ultimately matters most is what we make of these circumstances when they play out, especially when it comes to expressing how we feel for those whom we truly care about most.