Lila Avilés’s Tótem centers on a girl named Sol, who is 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.
The film, a co-production between Mexico, Denmark and France, competed for the Golden Bear at the 2023 Berlin Film Fest, where it had its world premiere.
It received critical acclaim and was named one of the top 5 international films of 2023 by the National Board of Review (NBR).
The film was selected as the Mexican entry for the Best International Feature Film Oscar.
Sol (Naíma Sentíes) a girl of 7, goes to her grandfather’s home, where her aunts Nuri and Alejandra are throwing surprise birthday party for her father. It is probably his last, so 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 new life.
Totem is heartfelt and life-affirming, without succumbing to the generic temptation of being too sentimental.
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Cast
Naíma Sentíes as Sol
Montserrat Marañón [es] as Nuri
Marisol Gasé [es] as Alejandra
Saori Gurza as Esther
Teresita Sánchez as Cruz
Mateo García Elizondo as Tonatiuh
Juan Francisco Maldonado as Napo
Iazua Larios as Lucía
Alberto Amador as Roberto
