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Tótem (film)

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Tótem
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLila Avilés
Screenplay byLila Avilés
Produced byLila Avilés
Tatiana Graullera
Louise Riousse
Starring
  • Naíma Sentíes
  • Monserrat Marañon
  • Marisol Gasé
  • Saori Gurza
CinematographyDiego Tenorio
Edited byOmar Guzmán
Music byThomas Becka
Production
companies
  • Limerencia Films
  • Laterna Film
  • Paloma Productions
Distributed byAlpha Violet
Release dates
  • 20 February 2023 (2023-02-20) (Berlinale)
  • 30 November 2023 (2023-11-30) (Mexico)
Running time
95 minutes
Countries
  • Mexico
  • Denmark
  • France
LanguageSpanish
Box office$165,444[1][2]

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.

It received critical acclaim and was named one of the top five international films of 2023 by the National Board of Review.[5] The film was selected as the Mexican entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards;[6] it made the shortlist of 15 entries from which the nominees were selected.[7][8]

Plot

[edit]

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

[edit]
Cast and crew of Tótem at the Berlin Film Festival 2023
  • 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

Production

[edit]

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]

Release

[edit]

The film had its world premiere on 20 February 2023 at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival. In April it competed in the 47th Hong Kong International Film Festival,[12] where it won the Firebird Award for the best film in Young Cinema Competition World category.[13] It was invited to Horizons section of 57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it was screened on 30 June 2023.[14] It was also invited to the 27th Lima Film Festival in Competition fiction section, where it was screened on August 11, 2023,[15] and won the Best Picture award in the section.[16] It was screened at the 2023 Atlantic International Film Festival in the World Cinema section on 17 September 2023.[17] The film also made it to Latin Horizons section of the 71st San Sebastián International Film Festival held in September 2023.[18] The film competed at the 2023 Calgary International Film Festival in 'International Narrative Competition' for Best International Narrative Feature award and had screening on September 22.[19]

In October, the film was invited to the 2023 Vancouver International Film Festival in the Showcase section and was screened on 1 October;[20] it was screened at the 2023 Festival du nouveau cinéma in International Panorama on 7 October;[21] and at the 2023 BFI London Film Festival in the Strand section under the "Love" theme on 9 October.[22] It competed in the Chicago International Film Festival in International Feature Competition and had screening on 14 October;[23] later on 20 October, it was screened at the Vienna International Film Festival in Features section.[24] It was also selected in 20th Latin Beat Film Festival in the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival and was screened on 27 October 2023.[25][26]

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

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes website, the film has an approval rating of 97% based on 78 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 20 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

[edit]
Lila Avilés, the director with child actor Naíma Sentíes at Berlinale 2023
Award Date Category Recipient Result Ref.
Berlin International Film Festival 25 February 2023 Golden Bear Tótem Nominated [36]
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury Won [37]
Hong Kong International Film Festival 9 April 2023 Firebird Award Won [38]
Jerusalem Film Festival 23 July 2023 The Nechama Rivilin Award for Best International Film Nominated [39]
Best Director Lila Áviles Won [40]
Lima Film Festival 18 August 2023 Best Picture Tótem Won [16]
Best Cinematography Diego Tenorio Won
Melbourne International Film Festival 20 August 2023 Bright Horizons Award Tótem Nominated [41]
San Sebastián International Film Festival 30 September 2023 Horizons Award Nominated [18]
Calgary International Film Festival 1 October 2023 Best International Narrative Feature Nominated [19]
Athens International Film Festival 9 October 2023 Best Picture Nominated [42]
Chicago International Film Festival 22 October 2023 Gold Hugo Nominated [23]
Montclair Film Festival 29 October 2023 Fiction Feature Nominated [43]
Special Jury Prize for Directing Lila Avilés Won [44]
Gotham Independent Film Awards 27 November 2023 Best International Feature Tótem Nominated [45]
National Board of Review 6 December 2023 Top Five International Films Won[a] [46]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards 10 December 2023 Best Foreign Language Film Runner-up [47]
Independent Spirit Awards 25 February 2024 Best International Film Nominated [48]
Diosas de Plata 19 March 2024 Best Supporting Actress Marisol Gasé Nominated [49][50]
Best Child Actress Naíma Sentíes Nominated
Platino Awards 20 April 2024 Best Ibero-American Film Tótem Nominated [51]
Best Director Lila Avilés Nominated

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ This award does not have a single winner, but recognizes multiple films.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Totem". The Numbers. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Totem". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  3. ^ Avilés, Lila (11 February 2023). "Tótem". Cineuropa. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  4. ^ Rosser, Michael (23 January 2023). "Berlin Film Festival reveals 2023 competition line-up". Screen Daily. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  5. ^ Lewis, Hilary (6 December 2023). "National Board of Review Names 'Killers of the Flower Moon' Best Film of 2023". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  6. ^ Padilla, Greta (25 September 2023). "Habemus película: 'Tótem' de Lila Avilés representará a México en los Oscar 2024". Sopitas.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  7. ^ "'Tótem', de la mexicana Lila Avilés, precandidata al Óscar a Mejor Película Extranjera | Video" ['Tótem', by Mexican Lila Avilés, pre-candidate for the Oscar for Best Foreign Film | Video]. Aristegui Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  8. ^ "96th Oscars Shortlists Announced for 10 Categories". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Rosser, Michael (7 July 2020). "Lila Avilés second feature among new Hubert Bals projects". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  11. ^ Lemercier, Fabien (2 February 2023). "Alpha Violet to boast a Golden Bear candidate in Berlin". Cineuropa. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  12. ^ Frater, Patrick (10 March 2023). "Hong Kong Film Festival Sets Trio of Local Films as Opening and Closing Titles". Variety.
  13. ^ Shackleton, Liz (9 April 2023). "'Stonewalling' Wins Best Film And Best Actress At Hong Kong International Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  14. ^ "57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival: Horizons". Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Ficción" [Fiction: Totem]. 27 PUCP Lima Film Festival (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  16. ^ a b "¡Estos son los ganadores del 27 Festival de Cine de Lima PUCP!". festivaldelima.com (in Spanish). 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  17. ^ "2023 Atlantic International Film Festival: Schedule". Atlantic International Film Festival. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  18. ^ a b Calnan, Ellie (3 August 2023). "San Sebastian's 2023 Horizontes Latinos line-up includes 'Totem', 'The Settlers'". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  19. ^ a b "CIFF: Totem". Calgary International Film Festival. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Vancouver International Film Festival: Tótem". Vancouver International Film Festival. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  21. ^ "International Panorama: Tótem". Festival du nouveau cinéma. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  22. ^ Ntim, Zac (31 August 2023). "BFI London Film Festival Full Lineup: 'The Book Of Clarence' World Premiere; Scorsese, Miyazaki, Lanthimos & Fincher Among Headline Galas". Deadline. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  23. ^ a b Kay, Jeremy (14 September 2023). "'Fallen Leaves', 'About Dry Grasses', 'La Chimera' among Chicago fest international line-up (exclusive)". Screendaily. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Vienna International Film Festival: Tótem". Vienna International Film Festival. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  25. ^ Brzeski, Patrick (27 September 2023). "Tokyo Film Festival Aims to Boost Global Relevance With Bumper 2023 Edition". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  26. ^ "36th Tokyo International Film Festival: Lineup". Tokyo International Film Festival. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  27. ^ Gomez, Alma (3 December 2023). "'Tótem' la cinta mexicana que busca una nominación a los Premios Oscar 2024". Forbes.com.
  28. ^ Bunbury, Stephanie (15 December 2023). "'Tótem' Review: Lila Avilés Shows Extraordinary Eye For Detail In Oscar Entry From Mexico". Deadline. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  29. ^ Grobar, Matt (11 January 2024). "Salma Hayek Pinault & Her Ventanarosa Productions Board Oscar-Shortlisted Mexican Drama 'Tótem' As EPs". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  30. ^ "Tótem (Drama 2023)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Tótem". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  32. ^ Saito, Stephen (20 February 2023). "Berlinale 2023 Review: Lila Avilés' Spellbinding "Tótem" Puts a Hold On You". Moveable Fest. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  33. ^ Romney, Jonathan (20 February 2023). "'Totem': Berlin Review". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  34. ^ Ashioti, Marina (20 February 2023). "Tótem – first-look review". Little White Lies. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  35. ^ Lemercier, Fabien (20 February 2023). "Review: Tótem". Cineuropa. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  36. ^ Ramachandran, Naman; Vivarelli, Nick (23 January 2023). "Berlin Film Festival Reveals Competition Lineup (Updating Live)". Variety.
  37. ^ Roxborough, Scott (25 February 2023). "Berlin: '20,000 Species of Bees,' 'Totem' Among Independent Jury Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  38. ^ Rosser, Michael (9 April 2023). "'Stonewalling', 'Totem' win top Hong Kong Firebird Awards". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  39. ^ Brown, Hannah (28 June 2023). "2023 Jerusalem Film Fest announces international movie lineup". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  40. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (20 July 2023). "'Ama Gloria' and 'Daniel Auerbach' Scoop Top Prizes At 40th Jerusalem Film Festival". Deadline. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  41. ^ George, Sandy (11 July 2023). "Melbourne Film Festival reveals competition line-up with 'Shayda' set as opening film". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  42. ^ "International Competition". Athens International Film Festival. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  43. ^ Moye, Clarence (29 September 2023). "Montclair Film Announces Complete 2023 Montclair Film Festival Program". Awards Daily. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  44. ^ "2023 Montclair Film Festival Award Winners Announced!". Montclair Film Festival. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  45. ^ Lewis, Hilary (24 October 2023). "'Past Lives,' 'A Thousand and One' and 'All of Us Strangers' Top Gotham Awards Film Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  46. ^ Davis, Clayton (6 November 2023). "'Killers of the Flower Moon' Named Best Picture by National Board of Review, Lily Gladstone and Paul Giamatti Nab Top Acting Honors". Variety.
  47. ^ Davis, Clayton (10 December 2023). "'The Zone of Interest' Wins Best Picture at Los Angeles Film Critics Awards, Four Women Take Acting Prizes (Full Winners List)". Variety.
  48. ^ Blauvelt, Christian (5 December 2023). "'American Fiction,' 'May December,' 'Past Lives' Lead 2024 Indie Spirits Noms". IndieWire. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  49. ^ "Listo de nominados a la 49 entrega de Diosas de Plata al cine mexicano". PECIME (in Spanish). 19 February 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  50. ^ "Premios Diosas de Plata 2024: Estos son los nominados para su edición 49°". Fideicomiso para la Promoción y Desarrollo del Cine Mexicano en el Distrito Federal (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  51. ^ "'La sociedad de la nieve' lidera las nominaciones de los Premios Platino del Cine Iberoamericano 2024" ['The Snow Society' leads the nominations for the 2024 Platinum Ibero-American Cinema Awards]. Cinemanía (in Spanish). 14 March 2023 – via 20minutos.es.
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