by Lisa Nystrom
Worth: $15.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Naíma Sentíes, Montserrat Marañon, Marisol Gasé, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo
Intro:
It’s beautiful filmmaking, showcasing the celebration of childhood wonder and resilience, while also portraying a tender and sensitive subject through an empathetic lens.
A heartfelt film that touches on the complexities of family, grief, and the love we leave behind, Tótem is seen through the eyes of seven-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes), set on the day of a momentous family celebration in honour of her ailing father, Tona (Mateo García Elizondo).
A semi-autobiographical journey for writer/director Lila Avilés, the film depicts a deeply personal and intimate glimpse into the dynamic of Sol’s large, close-knit family. Theirs is a home bustling with well-wishers, aunts and cousins, and yet Sol finds herself at a distance as she attempts to process the pre-emptive sorrow brought on by watching her terminally ill father waste away, while the adults around her do their best to celebrate his life in the moments that they have left together.
Naíma Sentíes brings a remarkable innocence and curiosity to the role of Sol, with much of the quieter, more introspective moments relying on her ability to authentically capture the sweet melancholy of a childhood passing by too quickly.
The screenplay, written by Avilés, is a genuine portrait of what it’s like growing up in a household with the kind of vibrant and chaotic personalities that make up an extended family. The dialogue rings true, rattling off in a naturalistic manner that feels like a snapshot into the lives of a real family rather than a scripted drama—the arguing over shared bathroom time and vacuuming is all too relatable.
Keeping the camera close and tight, Avilés skilfully depicts both the claustrophobic over-familiarity of moving within an overfull house, while also capturing the complex layers of emotion that pervade the home as the family attempts to continue living as if one of their own isn’t currently dying in the next room.
It’s beautiful filmmaking, showcasing the celebration of childhood wonder and resilience, while also portraying a tender and sensitive subject through an empathetic lens.
