Tótem (film) explained

Tótem
Director:Lila Avilés
Producer:Lila Avilés
Tatiana Graullera
Louise Riousse
Screenplay:Lila Avilés
Cinematography:Diego Tenorio
Music:Thomas Becka
Editing:Omar Guzmán
Distributor:Alpha Violet
Runtime:95 minutes
Language:Spanish
Gross:$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

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

Production

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 (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

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; later on 20 October, it was screened at the Vienna International Film Festival in Features section.[23] It was also selected in 20th Latin Beat Film Festival in the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival and was screened on 27 October 2023.[24] [25]

The film opened in Mexican theatres on 30 November 2023.[26] 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.[27] In January 2024, Salma Hayek Pinault, José Tamez and Siobhan Flynn came on board the film as executive producers through their company Ventanarosa.[28]

Reception

Critical response

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."[29] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 91 out of 100 based on 20 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[30]

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.[31] 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."[32] 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."[33] 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."[34]

Accolades

scope=colAwardscope=colDatescope=colCategoryscope=colRecipientscope=colResultscope=col class=unsortable
scope=row rowspan=2Berlin International Film Festival25 February 2023Golden BearTótemalign=center rowspan=1[35]
align=center rowspan=1[36]
scope=row rowspan=1Hong Kong International Film Festival9 April 2023Firebird Awardalign=center rowspan=1[37]
scope=row rowspan=2Jerusalem Film Festival23 July 2023The Nechama Rivilin Award for Best International Film[38]
Best DirectorLila Áviles[39]
Lima Film Festival18 August 2023Best PictureTótem
Best CinematographyDiego Tenorio
scope=rowMelbourne International Film Festival20 August 2023Bright Horizons AwardTótem[40]
scope=rowSan Sebastián International Film Festival30 September 2023Horizons Award
scope=rowCalgary International Film Festival1 October 2023Best International Narrative Feature
scope=rowAthens International Film Festival9 October 2023Best Picture[41]
scope=rowChicago International Film Festival22 October 2023Gold Hugo[42]
scope=row rowspan=2Montclair Film Festival29 October 2023Fiction Feature[43]
Special Jury Prize for DirectingLila Avilés[44]
scope=rowGotham Independent Film Awards27 November 2023Best International FeatureTótem[45]
scope=rowNational Board of Review6 December 2023Top Five International Films[46]
scope=rowLos Angeles Film Critics Association Awards10 December 2023Best Foreign Language Film[47]
scope=rowIndependent Spirit Awards25 February 2024Best International Film[48]
scope=row rowspan=2Diosas de Plata19 March 2024Best Supporting ActressMarisol Gasé[49] [50]
Best Child ActressNaíma Sentíes
scope=row rowspan=2Platino Awards20 April 2024Best Ibero-American FilmTótemalign=center rowspan=2[51]
Best DirectorLila Avilés

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Numbers. Totem. 1 April 2024.
  2. Web site: Box Office Mojo. Totem. 1 April 2024.
  3. Web site: Tótem. Avilés. Lila. 11 February 2023. 11 February 2023. Cineuropa.
  4. Web site: Berlin Film Festival reveals 2023 competition line-up. Rosser. Michael. Screen Daily. 23 January 2023. 11 February 2023.
  5. Web site: Lewis. Hilary. 6 December 2023. National Board of Review Names 'Killers of the Flower Moon' Best Film of 2023. 6 December 2023. The Hollywood Reporter.
  6. Web site: Habemus película: 'Tótem' de Lila Avilés representará a México en los Oscar 2024. Padilla. Greta. 25 September 2023. Sopitas.com. es. 25 November 2024.
  7. Web site: '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. 21 December 2023. Aristegui Noticias. es.
  8. Web site: 96th Oscars Shortlists Announced for 10 Categories. 21 December 2023. 22 December 2023. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
  9. Web site: Lila Avilés prepares her new film Totem. Lila Avilés prepara su nueva película Totem. Ejarque. Cristina. 7 July 2020. 11 February 2023. Cine maldito. es.
  10. Web site: Lila Avilés second feature among new Hubert Bals projects. Rosser. Michael. 7 July 2020. 11 February 2023. ScreenDaily.
  11. Web site: Alpha Violet to boast a Golden Bear candidate in Berlin. Lemercier. Fabien. 2 February 2023. 11 February 2023. Cineuropa.
  12. Hong Kong Film Festival Sets Trio of Local Films as Opening and Closing Titles. Frater. Patrick. 10 March 2023. Variety.
  13. Web site: 'Stonewalling' Wins Best Film And Best Actress At Hong Kong International Film Festival. Shackleton. Liz. Deadline Hollywood. 9 April 2023. 10 April 2023.
  14. Web site: 57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival: Horizons. 30 June 2023. 2 August 2023. Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
  15. Web site: Ficción. Fiction: Totem. 27 PUCP Lima Film Festival. 26 July 2023. es.
  16. Web site: ¡Estos son los ganadores del 27 Festival de Cine de Lima PUCP!. festivaldelima.com. 18 August 2023. 18 August 2023. es.
  17. Web site: 2023 Atlantic International Film Festival: Schedule. 29 August 2023. 29 August 2023. Atlantic International Film Festival.
  18. Web site: San Sebastian's 2023 Horizontes Latinos line-up includes 'Totem', 'The Settlers'. ScreenDaily. 3 August 2023. Calnan. Ellie. 26 August 2023.
  19. Web site: CIFF: Totem. Calgary International Film Festival. 9 September 2023.
  20. Web site: Vancouver International Film Festival: Tótem. Vancouver International Film Festival. 5 September 2023. 8 September 2023.
  21. Web site: International Panorama: Tótem. 2 October 2023. 19 October 2023. Festival du nouveau cinéma.
  22. Web site: BFI London Film Festival Full Lineup: 'The Book Of Clarence' World Premiere; Scorsese, Miyazaki, Lanthimos & Fincher Among Headline Galas. Deadline. Zac. Ntim. 31 August 2023. 1 September 2023.
  23. Web site: Vienna International Film Festival: Tótem . Vienna International Film Festival. September 5, 2023. 10 October 2023. en.
  24. Web site: Tokyo Film Festival Aims to Boost Global Relevance With Bumper 2023 Edition . Patrick . Brzeski . . 27 September 2023. 6 October 2023.
  25. Web site: 36th Tokyo International Film Festival: Lineup. 27 September 2023. 8 October 2023 . Tokyo International Film Festival . en.
  26. Web site: 'Tótem' la cinta mexicana que busca una nominación a los Premios Oscar 2024. Forbes.com. 3 December 2023. Alma. Gomez.
  27. Web site: Bunbury . Stephanie . 2023-12-15 . 'Tótem' Review: Lila Avilés Shows Extraordinary Eye For Detail In Oscar Entry From Mexico . 2024-01-10 . Deadline . en-US.
  28. Web site: Salma Hayek Pinault & Her Ventanarosa Productions Board Oscar-Shortlisted Mexican Drama 'Tótem' As EPs. Deadline Hollywood. Matt. Grobar. 11 January 2024. 12 January 2023.
  29. Tótem (Drama 2023). totem_2023. m. 15 March 2024.
  30. totem. movie. Tótem. 12 November 2023.
  31. Web site: Berlinale 2023 Review: Lila Avilés' Spellbinding "Tótem" Puts a Hold On You. Saito. Stephen. 20 February 2023. 21 February 2023. Moveable Fest.
  32. Web site: 'Totem': Berlin Review. Romney. Jonathan. 20 February 2023. 21 February 2023. ScreenDaily.
  33. Web site: Tótem – first-look review. Ashioti. Marina. 20 February 2023. 21 February 2023. Little White Lies.
  34. Web site: Review: Tótem. Lemercier. Fabien. 20 February 2023. 22 February 2023. Cineuropa.
  35. Berlin Film Festival Reveals Competition Lineup (Updating Live). Ramachandran. Naman. Vivarelli. Nick. 23 January 2023. Variety.
  36. Web site: Berlin: '20,000 Species of Bees,' 'Totem' Among Independent Jury Winners. Roxborough. Scott. 25 February 2023. 25 February 2023. The Hollywood Reporter.
  37. Web site: 'Stonewalling', 'Totem' win top Hong Kong Firebird Awards. Rosser. Michael. 9 April 2023. 10 April 2023. ScreenDaily.
  38. News: 2023 Jerusalem Film Fest announces international movie lineup. The Jerusalem Post. Brown. Hannah. 28 June 2023. 11 August 2023.
  39. Web site: 'Ama Gloria' and 'Daniel Auerbach' Scoop Top Prizes At 40th Jerusalem Film Festival. Deadline. Goodfellow. Melanie. 20 July 2023. 11 August 2023.
  40. Web site: Melbourne Film Festival reveals competition line-up with 'Shayda' set as opening film. ScreenDaily. George. Sandy. 11 July 2023. 6 October 2023.
  41. Web site: International Competition. Athens International Film Festival. 7 October 2023.
  42. Web site: 'Fallen Leaves', 'About Dry Grasses', 'La Chimera' among Chicago fest international line-up (exclusive). Screendaily. 14 September 2023. 23 September 2023. Kay. Jeremy.
  43. Web site: Montclair Film Announces Complete 2023 Montclair Film Festival Program. Awards Daily. Moye. Clarence. 29 September 2023. 6 October 2023.
  44. Web site: 2023 Montclair Film Festival Award Winners Announced!. Montclair Film Festival. 6 November 2023.
  45. Web site: Lewis. Hilary. 24 October 2023. 'Past Lives,' 'A Thousand and One' and 'All of Us Strangers' Top Gotham Awards Film Nominees. 25 October 2023. The Hollywood Reporter.
  46. 'Killers of the Flower Moon' Named Best Picture by National Board of Review, Lily Gladstone and Paul Giamatti Nab Top Acting Honors. Variety. Davis. Clayton. 6 November 2023.
  47. 'The Zone of Interest' Wins Best Picture at Los Angeles Film Critics Awards, Four Women Take Acting Prizes (Full Winners List). Variety. Davis. Clayton. 10 December 2023.
  48. Web site: 'American Fiction,' 'May December,' 'Past Lives' Lead 2024 Indie Spirits Noms. IndieWire. Blauvelt. Christian. 5 December 2023. 5 December 2023.
  49. Web site: Listo de nominados a la 49 entrega de Diosas de Plata al cine mexicano. 2 March 2024. PECIME. 19 February 2024. es.
  50. Web site: Premios Diosas de Plata 2024: Estos son los nominados para su edición 49°. 2 March 2024. Fideicomiso para la Promoción y Desarrollo del Cine Mexicano en el Distrito Federal. es.
  51. News: 'La sociedad de la nieve' lidera las nominaciones de los Premios Platino del Cine Iberoamericano 2024. Cinemanía. 20minutos.es. 'The Snow Society' leads the nominations for the 2024 Platinum Ibero-American Cinema Awards. 14 March 2023. es.

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