Although it might seem like male directors stand at the forefront of Mexican cinema right now — look at recent Oscar winners such as Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo del Toro, and Alejandro González Iñárritu — it’s a new wave of female filmmakers who are actually the ones to watch.
Tatiana Huezo (“The Echo”), Fernanda Valadez (“Identifying Features”), and Issa López all shine bright, yet Lila Avilés (“The Chambermaid”) might be the first to come close to Oscar success of her own with “Tótem,” which was shortlisted at this year’s Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. While Avilés’ acclaimed debut followed a maid working to bring structure and order to empty, uninhabited spaces, her follow-up feature is teeming with life, even if the subject matter might not lend itself to that at first glance.
“Tótem” begins with seven-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes) and her mother, Lucia (Lazua Larios), laughing together in a public bathroom.
Tatiana Huezo (“The Echo”), Fernanda Valadez (“Identifying Features”), and Issa López all shine bright, yet Lila Avilés (“The Chambermaid”) might be the first to come close to Oscar success of her own with “Tótem,” which was shortlisted at this year’s Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. While Avilés’ acclaimed debut followed a maid working to bring structure and order to empty, uninhabited spaces, her follow-up feature is teeming with life, even if the subject matter might not lend itself to that at first glance.
“Tótem” begins with seven-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes) and her mother, Lucia (Lazua Larios), laughing together in a public bathroom.
- 1/29/2024
- by David Opie
- Indiewire
Tótem, Mexico’s submission for this year’s Oscars, drops a bomb on you before the opening credits have even rolled. A mother, Lucia (Iazua Larios) and her daughter, Sol (Naíma Sentíes, luminescent), are goofing around in a public restroom. The seven-year-old girl is sitting on a toilet, unable — or maybe she’s simply refusing — to heed nature’s call. Tired of waiting for her to finish up, Mom ends up peeing in the sink, to the sound of much mutual laughter. The kid tries on a giant, curly, rainbow-colored wig.
- 1/28/2024
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
A handful of indies bow or expand this weekend as Oscar hopefuls from Poor Things to The Holdovers and American Fiction crowd theaters after nominations earlier this week. Anatomy Of A Fall is getting a big bump. Oppenheimer is back on Imax.
New specialty releases include Daisy Ridley-starring Sometimes I Think About Dying by Rachel Lambert, and Tótem by Lila Avilés. Separately, Sundance has just wrapped up announcing winners from a new crop of independent films.
What we have post Oscar-nomination Tuesday, is this: Searchlight Pictures’ Poor Things by Yorgos Lanthimos going wide on 2,226 screens, up from 1,400. The film starring Emma Stone had 11 nominations, second only to Oppenheimer. That Christopher Nolan blockbuster summer release from Universal is returning to 750 Imax screens worldwide, including iconic 70mm film theaters. Oppenheimer led all nominees for the 96th Oscars on Tuesday, with 13.
Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction from Amazon MGM Studios moves to 1,500 theaters from 850. Released Dec.
New specialty releases include Daisy Ridley-starring Sometimes I Think About Dying by Rachel Lambert, and Tótem by Lila Avilés. Separately, Sundance has just wrapped up announcing winners from a new crop of independent films.
What we have post Oscar-nomination Tuesday, is this: Searchlight Pictures’ Poor Things by Yorgos Lanthimos going wide on 2,226 screens, up from 1,400. The film starring Emma Stone had 11 nominations, second only to Oppenheimer. That Christopher Nolan blockbuster summer release from Universal is returning to 750 Imax screens worldwide, including iconic 70mm film theaters. Oppenheimer led all nominees for the 96th Oscars on Tuesday, with 13.
Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction from Amazon MGM Studios moves to 1,500 theaters from 850. Released Dec.
- 1/26/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Pressure often mounts on directors with a breakout debut to double down on what made their first feature so acclaimed. Lila Avilés, on the other hand, ran in the opposite direction. Her debut feature, 2019’s The Chambermaid, follows a quiet hotel housekeeper in Mexico City from an austere remove as she strives to improve her station in life. Avilés’s follow-up, Tótem, leans into chaos by capturing the rambunctious energy of a family over a single day as they attempt to prepare for a big celebration.
And yet, the two films, aesthetically different as they may be, feel of a piece with one another. Be it through a claustrophobic close-up or from a sterile long shot, Avilés always brings us into an emotional communion with her characters’ innermost thoughts and desires. She’s comfortable operating within paradoxes, such as the central one at the core of Tótem: the birthday party...
And yet, the two films, aesthetically different as they may be, feel of a piece with one another. Be it through a claustrophobic close-up or from a sterile long shot, Avilés always brings us into an emotional communion with her characters’ innermost thoughts and desires. She’s comfortable operating within paradoxes, such as the central one at the core of Tótem: the birthday party...
- 1/24/2024
- by Marshall Shaffer
- Slant Magazine
Signing on to executive produce “Tótem,” the sophomore feature from writer-director Lila Avilés that was chosen to be Mexico’s submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar, was a no-brainer for Salma Hayek Pinault. “For me, it’s very important to support women, especially if they’re Mexican. And to support talent. And Lila’s talent is rare. It’s special, it’s unique, it’s bold, it’s brave. And also it’s delicate and personal,” said the Academy Award-nominated “Frida” actress during a conversation with IndieWire over Zoom. “I just want the world to feel her through this movie, and to be touched and moved by her talent.”
Premiering at last year’s Berlin Film Festival, where it won the Ecumenical Jury Prize, “Tótem” is a chamber piece centered on seven-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes) observing her family prepare to throw what she begins to understand to be...
Premiering at last year’s Berlin Film Festival, where it won the Ecumenical Jury Prize, “Tótem” is a chamber piece centered on seven-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes) observing her family prepare to throw what she begins to understand to be...
- 1/15/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Salma Hayek Pinault has joined José Tamez and Siobhan Flynn, her partners in Ventanarosa Productions, as an executive producer on Tótem, writer-director Lila Avilés’ follow-up to her international breakthrough The Chambermaid, which has been shortlisted as Mexico’s entry for the Best International Feature Oscar.
Poised for release by Sideshow and Janus Films, the companies behind Eo and Drive My Car, the film is set to open in New York theaters on January 26th. It will unspool in Los Angeles on February 2nd and expand nationwide in the weeks to follow.
Named one of the Top 5 International Films of the Year by the National Board of Review, Tótem is told largely from the perspective of 7-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes), as her aunt (Montserrat Marañón) and extended relatives prepare for the birthday party of the girl’s father (Mateo Garcia). As the hours wear on, building to an event both anticipated and dreaded,...
Poised for release by Sideshow and Janus Films, the companies behind Eo and Drive My Car, the film is set to open in New York theaters on January 26th. It will unspool in Los Angeles on February 2nd and expand nationwide in the weeks to follow.
Named one of the Top 5 International Films of the Year by the National Board of Review, Tótem is told largely from the perspective of 7-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes), as her aunt (Montserrat Marañón) and extended relatives prepare for the birthday party of the girl’s father (Mateo Garcia). As the hours wear on, building to an event both anticipated and dreaded,...
- 1/11/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
When Tonatiuh was at school, he was voted his year’s “Beach Boy,” a prank version of Miss Universe. As part of a town parade, hunky Tona was a “vision, slinking down the street,” remembers an old classmate in one of many stories being swapped at the now 30-something beach boy’s birthday party.
Things are in full swing, but Tona (Mateo Garcia Elizondo) has yet to make an appearance. He is in the quietest bedroom in the family home, struggling to get dressed for the second time. He was slowly making his way to the garden when he lost control of his bowels. Shit happens, as you might say. He is resigned to it.
Tona is dying. Everyone knows it, but his 7-year-old daughter Sol (Naima Senties) clings to the belief that if she holds her breath and makes a wish often enough, her still-beautiful dad will survive. Sol...
Things are in full swing, but Tona (Mateo Garcia Elizondo) has yet to make an appearance. He is in the quietest bedroom in the family home, struggling to get dressed for the second time. He was slowly making his way to the garden when he lost control of his bowels. Shit happens, as you might say. He is resigned to it.
Tona is dying. Everyone knows it, but his 7-year-old daughter Sol (Naima Senties) clings to the belief that if she holds her breath and makes a wish often enough, her still-beautiful dad will survive. Sol...
- 12/15/2023
- by Stephanie Bunbury
- Deadline Film + TV
Representing Mexico once more at the Oscars with her second film, “Totem,” Lila Avilés has proven that the critical success of her debut feature, “The Chambermaid,” was not a fluke.
The former actress, who worked in virtually all areas of film production and directed theater before venturing into filmmaking, has been hailed as part of the new wave of female talent shaping Mexican cinema. “Since I was a little girl, I always loved writing, creating my plays. And obviously, I’ve always had a fixation with photography. I hope to hold an exhibition someday, too,” she says.
Aside from racking up a slew of accolades since its world premiere at the Berlinale, “Totem” has been selected by the Independent Spirit Awards as one of five major contenders for its international film category.
Unlike the quiet, almost minimalist “The Chambermaid,” “Totem,” which Avilés also wrote, has a chaotic feel as it...
The former actress, who worked in virtually all areas of film production and directed theater before venturing into filmmaking, has been hailed as part of the new wave of female talent shaping Mexican cinema. “Since I was a little girl, I always loved writing, creating my plays. And obviously, I’ve always had a fixation with photography. I hope to hold an exhibition someday, too,” she says.
Aside from racking up a slew of accolades since its world premiere at the Berlinale, “Totem” has been selected by the Independent Spirit Awards as one of five major contenders for its international film category.
Unlike the quiet, almost minimalist “The Chambermaid,” “Totem,” which Avilés also wrote, has a chaotic feel as it...
- 12/15/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Writer-director Lila Avilés’s tender film, told largely through the eyes of a seven-year-old girl, is a minutely observed ensemble piece in which grief and celebration go hand in hand
“When will the world end?” There’s a great deal of uncertainty in the life of seven-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes) right now, so she takes her mother’s phone to a quiet corner away from the bustle in her grandfather’s house and puts her big question to Siri. The little girl has picked up enough from the fragments of conversation of the adults thronging in the house to understand that, while the end is still a way off, her world, or at least part of it, is about to change for ever.
The second film from Mexican actor turned writer-director Lila Avilés, Tótem is exquisite – a vital ensemble drama that’s suffused with joy and love. Taking a child...
“When will the world end?” There’s a great deal of uncertainty in the life of seven-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes) right now, so she takes her mother’s phone to a quiet corner away from the bustle in her grandfather’s house and puts her big question to Siri. The little girl has picked up enough from the fragments of conversation of the adults thronging in the house to understand that, while the end is still a way off, her world, or at least part of it, is about to change for ever.
The second film from Mexican actor turned writer-director Lila Avilés, Tótem is exquisite – a vital ensemble drama that’s suffused with joy and love. Taking a child...
- 12/3/2023
- by Wendy Ide
- The Guardian - Film News
As Leo Tolstoy wrote, “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” I would go on to add that the particular ways that your family is unhappy define significant parts of a person’s being, crafting traits and peccadilloes and teaching them how to interact with others. The family dynamics are fully displayed in “Tótem,” director Lila Avilés’ follow-up to her debut, 2018’s “The Chambermaid.”
Read More: 2023 Fall Film Preview: 60+ Most Anticipated Movies To Watch
In a review for The Playlist, Carlos Aguilar describes “Tótem” as feeling rich “in its sublimely compassionate, cinematic observations for which words alone could not suffice.” “Tótem” stars Naíma Sentíes, Monserrat Marañon, Marisol Gasé, Saori Gurza, and Teresita Sánchez.
Continue reading ‘Tótem’ Trailer: In Lila Aviles’ Family Drama, Chaos & Mortality Are Seen Through A Child’s Eyes at The Playlist.
Read More: 2023 Fall Film Preview: 60+ Most Anticipated Movies To Watch
In a review for The Playlist, Carlos Aguilar describes “Tótem” as feeling rich “in its sublimely compassionate, cinematic observations for which words alone could not suffice.” “Tótem” stars Naíma Sentíes, Monserrat Marañon, Marisol Gasé, Saori Gurza, and Teresita Sánchez.
Continue reading ‘Tótem’ Trailer: In Lila Aviles’ Family Drama, Chaos & Mortality Are Seen Through A Child’s Eyes at The Playlist.
- 11/16/2023
- by The Playlist
- The Playlist
"A luminous and soul-nourishing microcosm." Janus Films + Sideshow have revealed an official US trailer for an acclaimed Mexican drama titled Tótem. It initially premiered at the 2023 Berlin Film Festival earlier this year, one of the few great films at the festival that should've won the top prize. Mexican director Lila Avilés's film Totem is about a family getting ready for a birthday party, told through the eyes of a young girl. Seven-year-old Sol spends the day at her grandfather's home, helping with the preparations for a surprise party for her ailing father. Throughout the day, chaos slowly takes over, fracturing the family's foundations. Sol will embrace the essence of letting go as a release for existence. It's a wonderfully soulful, touching film about family and life on this planet - don't skip over this one. The ensemble cast features Naíma Sentíes, Monserrat Marañon, Marisol Gasé, Saori Gurza, Teresita Sánchez,...
- 11/14/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
One of our festival highlights earlier this year, Lila Avilés’ Tótem is now preparing for a U.S. release to kick off 2024 following an awards-qualifying. Mexico’s Oscar entry marks the director’s follow-up to The Chambermaid and follows a family over the course of a single, meaningful day, mainly from the perspective of 7-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes), as her mother (Montserrat Marañón) and extended relatives prepare for the birthday party of the girl’s father (Mateo Garcia). Ahead of a January 26, 2024 release for the Berlinale and Nd/Nf selection from Sideshow and Janus Films, the first U.S. trailer has now arrived.
Rory O’Connor said in his review, “The characters of Tótem don’t just appear onscreen; they take it over. From the top there’s the patriarch Roberto (Alberto Amador), who speaks using an electrolarynx and, when not dryly cajoling his flock, enjoys pruning a handsome Bonsai. There...
Rory O’Connor said in his review, “The characters of Tótem don’t just appear onscreen; they take it over. From the top there’s the patriarch Roberto (Alberto Amador), who speaks using an electrolarynx and, when not dryly cajoling his flock, enjoys pruning a handsome Bonsai. There...
- 11/14/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
The Berlin prize-winner from Lila Aviles has secured a number of international sales.
Mexico has selected Berlin festival prize-winner Totem, written and directed by Lila Avilés, as its submission for this year’s international feature Oscar.
The family drama premiered in competition at this year’s Berlinale and won the Ecumenical Jury Prize. It also screened at the recent Telluride festival and at this week’s San Sebastian festival and is part of the line-up for next week’s BFI London festival.
Since Berlin, Paris-based Alpha Violet has sold the film to distributors including New Wave Films, for the UK and Ireland,...
Mexico has selected Berlin festival prize-winner Totem, written and directed by Lila Avilés, as its submission for this year’s international feature Oscar.
The family drama premiered in competition at this year’s Berlinale and won the Ecumenical Jury Prize. It also screened at the recent Telluride festival and at this week’s San Sebastian festival and is part of the line-up for next week’s BFI London festival.
Since Berlin, Paris-based Alpha Violet has sold the film to distributors including New Wave Films, for the UK and Ireland,...
- 9/28/2023
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Mexico has selected the Berlin competition title Tótem, the latest film from Lila Avilés, as its entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2024 Oscars.
The family drama is Avilés’s second film after the award-winning feature debut The Chambermaid, which debuted in Toronto in 2018 and then traveled the international festival circuit before being selected as Mexico’s Oscar submission.
Tótem stars newcomer Naíma Sentíes as a 7-year-old girl navigating the strange atmosphere of a special surprise party being held for her dying artist father, from whom she herself feels temporarily estranged.
Further cast members include stars Montserrat Marañon (Bardo), Marisol Gasê, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez, Francisco Maldonado, Iazua Larios and Alberto Amador. The picture was produced by Tatiana Graullera, Avilés, and Louise Riousse.
After playing Berlin, Tótem made its North American bow at New Directors/New Films and played Telluride earlier this month,...
The family drama is Avilés’s second film after the award-winning feature debut The Chambermaid, which debuted in Toronto in 2018 and then traveled the international festival circuit before being selected as Mexico’s Oscar submission.
Tótem stars newcomer Naíma Sentíes as a 7-year-old girl navigating the strange atmosphere of a special surprise party being held for her dying artist father, from whom she herself feels temporarily estranged.
Further cast members include stars Montserrat Marañon (Bardo), Marisol Gasê, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez, Francisco Maldonado, Iazua Larios and Alberto Amador. The picture was produced by Tatiana Graullera, Avilés, and Louise Riousse.
After playing Berlin, Tótem made its North American bow at New Directors/New Films and played Telluride earlier this month,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
"When will the world end?" An early promo trailer has debuted for an acclaimed indie film from Mexico titled Tótem, one of the few truly excellent films from the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year. It should've won the Golden Bear, in my opinion, but they skipped over this one entirely. Mexican director Lila Avilés’s Berlinale Competition film Totem is about a family getting ready for a birthday party, told through the eyes of a young girl. Seven-year-old Sol spends the day at her grandfather's home, helping with the preparations for a surprise party for her ailing father. Throughout the day, chaos slowly takes over, fracturing the family's foundations. Sol will embrace the essence of letting go as a release for existence. It's a wonderfully soulful, touching film about family and life on this planet. With Naíma Sentíes, Monserrat Marañon, Marisol Gasé, Saori Gurza, Teresita Sánchez, Mateo García Elizondo,...
- 6/6/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Paris-based Alpha Violet has posted fresh sales on Mexican director Lila Avilés’s family drama Tótem, which world premiered in competition at the Berlinale to acclaim in February.
In new deals, the film has been acquired for Japan (Bitters End), China (Beijing Hugoeast Media), Germany (Piffl Medien), Greece (Cinobo), Poland (New Horizon Associations), Italy (Officine Ubu) and Romania (August Film).
Previously announced deals include to North America (Sideshow and Janus Films), UK (New Wave), Spain (Adso Films), Taiwan (Hooray Films), Benelux (Vedette Film) and Ex-Yugo (McF Megacom Film).
The film was warmly received at Berlin and went on to win the Ecumenical Jury Prize.
It is produced by Tatiana Graullera, Avilés and Louise Riousse.
The movie is the second film from Avilés after award-winning feature debut The Chambermaid, which debuted in Toronto in 2018 and then travelled the international festival circuit before being selected as Mexico’s Oscar submission.
In new deals, the film has been acquired for Japan (Bitters End), China (Beijing Hugoeast Media), Germany (Piffl Medien), Greece (Cinobo), Poland (New Horizon Associations), Italy (Officine Ubu) and Romania (August Film).
Previously announced deals include to North America (Sideshow and Janus Films), UK (New Wave), Spain (Adso Films), Taiwan (Hooray Films), Benelux (Vedette Film) and Ex-Yugo (McF Megacom Film).
The film was warmly received at Berlin and went on to win the Ecumenical Jury Prize.
It is produced by Tatiana Graullera, Avilés and Louise Riousse.
The movie is the second film from Avilés after award-winning feature debut The Chambermaid, which debuted in Toronto in 2018 and then travelled the international festival circuit before being selected as Mexico’s Oscar submission.
- 3/3/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Cast led by newcomer Naíma Sentíes in first role.
Sideshow and Janus Films have acquired North American rights to Lila Avilés’ Berlin Competition selection Tótem.
‘Totem’: Berlin Review
The Ecumenical Jury Prize winner follows a family in crisis as a young girl from a large Mexican family prepares for her father’s surprise birthday party.
The cast is led by newcomer Naíma Sentíes in her first role alongside Montserrat Marañon, Marisol Gasê, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez, Francisco Maldonado, Iazua Larios and Alberto Amador.
Tatiana Graullera, Avilés and Louise Riousse produced the Limerencia Films, Laterna, Paloma Productions and Alpha Violet production,...
Sideshow and Janus Films have acquired North American rights to Lila Avilés’ Berlin Competition selection Tótem.
‘Totem’: Berlin Review
The Ecumenical Jury Prize winner follows a family in crisis as a young girl from a large Mexican family prepares for her father’s surprise birthday party.
The cast is led by newcomer Naíma Sentíes in her first role alongside Montserrat Marañon, Marisol Gasê, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez, Francisco Maldonado, Iazua Larios and Alberto Amador.
Tatiana Graullera, Avilés and Louise Riousse produced the Limerencia Films, Laterna, Paloma Productions and Alpha Violet production,...
- 2/28/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Sideshow & Janus Films have snapped up North American rights for Mexican director Lila Avilés’s family drama Tótem following its world premiere in competition at the Berlinale last week.
The movie is the second film from Avilés after award-winning feature debut The Chambermaid, which debuted in Toronto in 2018 and then travelled the international festival circuit before being selected as Mexico’s Oscar submission.
Tótem stars newcomer Naíma Sentíes as a seven-year-old girl navigating the strange atmosphere of a special surprise party being held for her dying artist father, from whom she herself feels temporarily estranged.
Further cast members include stars Montserrat Marañon (Bardo), Marisol Gasê, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez, Francisco Maldonado, Iazua Larios and Alberto Amador.
The picture is produced by Tatiana Graullera, Avilés and Louise Riousse.
“We were fans of Lila Avilés’ The Chambermaid, but we were not prepared for the overwhelming...
The movie is the second film from Avilés after award-winning feature debut The Chambermaid, which debuted in Toronto in 2018 and then travelled the international festival circuit before being selected as Mexico’s Oscar submission.
Tótem stars newcomer Naíma Sentíes as a seven-year-old girl navigating the strange atmosphere of a special surprise party being held for her dying artist father, from whom she herself feels temporarily estranged.
Further cast members include stars Montserrat Marañon (Bardo), Marisol Gasê, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez, Francisco Maldonado, Iazua Larios and Alberto Amador.
The picture is produced by Tatiana Graullera, Avilés and Louise Riousse.
“We were fans of Lila Avilés’ The Chambermaid, but we were not prepared for the overwhelming...
- 2/28/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Sideshow and Janus Films have acquired North American rights to the Berlin-premiering family drama “Tótem,” written and directed by “The Chambermaid” helmer Lila Avilés.
Winner of the festival’s Ecumenical Jury Prize, the film follows seven-year-old Sol, who spends the day at her grandfather’s home, helping her aunts Nuri and Alejandra with the preparations for a surprise party they’re throwing for her father, Tonatiuh, who is terminally ill. However, as night descends, a strange and chaotic atmosphere takes over, shattering the bonds that hold the family together, and Sol will come to understand that her world will change dramatically.
Sideshow and Janus Films are planning a theatrical release later this year.
“Intimate, emotionally rich Berlin competition entry ‘Tótem’ immerses audiences in a boisterous family gathering,” wrote Variety’s Peter DeBruge about the film.
“Tótem” is produced by Tatiana Graullera, Avilés and Louise Riousse. The film introduces young actor...
Winner of the festival’s Ecumenical Jury Prize, the film follows seven-year-old Sol, who spends the day at her grandfather’s home, helping her aunts Nuri and Alejandra with the preparations for a surprise party they’re throwing for her father, Tonatiuh, who is terminally ill. However, as night descends, a strange and chaotic atmosphere takes over, shattering the bonds that hold the family together, and Sol will come to understand that her world will change dramatically.
Sideshow and Janus Films are planning a theatrical release later this year.
“Intimate, emotionally rich Berlin competition entry ‘Tótem’ immerses audiences in a boisterous family gathering,” wrote Variety’s Peter DeBruge about the film.
“Tótem” is produced by Tatiana Graullera, Avilés and Louise Riousse. The film introduces young actor...
- 2/28/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Tótem, the 2023 Berlinale competition title that amassed solid reviews and eventually won the festival’s Ecumenical Jury Prize, has found a home in North America.
Frequent art house distribution bedfellows Sideshow and Janus Films have acquired the feature, from Mexican filmmaker Lila Avilés and the follow-up to The Chambermaid. A theatrical release later this year is planned.
The family drama — produced by Tatiana Graullera, Lila Avilés and Louise Riousse — introduces newcomer Naíma Sentíes in her first role and also stars Montserrat Marañon (Bardo), Marisol Gasê, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez (The Chambermaid, Dos Estaciones), Francisco Maldonado, Iazua Larios and Alberto Amador. Tótem follows 7-year-old Sol, who spends the day at her grandfather’s home, helping her aunts Nuri and Alejandra with the preparations for a surprise party they are throwing for her father, Tonatiuh. As daylight fades, a strange and chaotic atmosphere takes over, shattering the bonds that hold the family together.
Frequent art house distribution bedfellows Sideshow and Janus Films have acquired the feature, from Mexican filmmaker Lila Avilés and the follow-up to The Chambermaid. A theatrical release later this year is planned.
The family drama — produced by Tatiana Graullera, Lila Avilés and Louise Riousse — introduces newcomer Naíma Sentíes in her first role and also stars Montserrat Marañon (Bardo), Marisol Gasê, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez (The Chambermaid, Dos Estaciones), Francisco Maldonado, Iazua Larios and Alberto Amador. Tótem follows 7-year-old Sol, who spends the day at her grandfather’s home, helping her aunts Nuri and Alejandra with the preparations for a surprise party they are throwing for her father, Tonatiuh. As daylight fades, a strange and chaotic atmosphere takes over, shattering the bonds that hold the family together.
- 2/28/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Presented largely from the point of view of two children, Mexican director Lila Avilés’ intimate, emotionally rich Berlin competition entry “Tótem” immerses audiences in a boisterous family gathering, where a handful of adult siblings have gathered to celebrate the birthday of their brother, a painter named Tonatiuh (Mateo Garcia). “Tona” is barely seen for most of the movie, confined to a back room where he refuses visitors. Naturally, this confuses 7-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes), who spends the day wandering the house alone, building a pillow fort in the living room or collecting snails in the garden.
“Sometimes I feel like my dad doesn’t love me when he says he doesn’t want to see me,” Sol confides to her father’s trusted nurse, Cruz. Your heart can’t help but break a little in that moment, for by this time, Avilés has already provided enough clues for us to...
“Sometimes I feel like my dad doesn’t love me when he says he doesn’t want to see me,” Sol confides to her father’s trusted nurse, Cruz. Your heart can’t help but break a little in that moment, for by this time, Avilés has already provided enough clues for us to...
- 2/25/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Naíma Sentíes as Sol in Tótem. Lila Avilés: 'Working with actors is powerful. They are the tribe and it’s only for me to guide them' Photo: Limerencia Taking place over the course of a single day in an extended household, Lila Avilés Tótem explores the different realms inhabited by children and adults - often at the same time. Our guide is little Sol (Naíma Sentíes bringing intensity to her first role), who is preparing for her dad Tona’s (Mateo Garcia) birthday. The preparations alongside her aunts are tinged with melancholy as Tona has cancer and the party also offers an opportunity for his friends to say a last goodbye.
The film had its premiere earlier this week in the main competition at Berlin Film Festival.
Lila Avilés: 'I need freedom to work and I’m a super-freedom girl but I’m also a control freak' Photo: Limerencia...
The film had its premiere earlier this week in the main competition at Berlin Film Festival.
Lila Avilés: 'I need freedom to work and I’m a super-freedom girl but I’m also a control freak' Photo: Limerencia...
- 2/24/2023
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The characters of Tótem don’t just appear onscreen; they take it over. From the top there’s the patriarch Roberto (Alberto Amador), who speaks using an electrolarynx and, when not dryly cajoling his flock, enjoys pruning a handsome Bonsai. There are his daughters Alejandra (Marisol Gasé), who we meet mid-phonecall, mid-ciggie, and covered in hair dye, and Nuria (Montserrat Marañon); their children, the young Marthe (Saori Gurza) as well as a gamer and a stroppy teen whose names I lost track of. There is Alejandra’s brother, an artist named Tona (played by the screenwriter Mateo García Elizondo), and his partner Lucia (Iazua Larios), with whom he has a daughter, Sol (Naíma Sentíes). This lively ensemble are joined here and there by a mystic, a party of friends, a cat named Monsi, two dogs, three snails, a parrot, a scorpion, enough plants to fill a modest botanical garden, and a pestering drone.
- 2/21/2023
- by Rory O'Connor
- The Film Stage
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