Totem 12A

Tótem by the Mexican director Lila Avilés is her second film after her highly acclaimed The Chambermaid (La Camarista) in 2018.

The setting is a large house where, over the course of a long day, family and friends meet for a dual ritual: it is the birthday of seven-year-old Sol ‘s young father Tona, but as it will likely be his last, it is also a farewell ceremony.

Like the character of the bonsai-loving patriarch, Avilés takes meticulous care in shaping her own miniature, bending trajectories and feelings, pruning all frills and excess. Tótemamasses signs and forms of life: animals, insects, plants and a parade of wonderful human beings who are stronger together.

“Tótem” is only Avilés’s second feature…but it’s also one of the finest movies you’ll see this year.”  - Manohla Dargis, The New York Times 

“A dazzling, vibrant child's-eye view of jubilation and tragedy.” - Jessica Kiang, Sight & Sound