A trailer for Tótem has arrived. This fantastic film premiered at this year’s Berlinale all of the way back in February and it looks like it is starting to get some release pace. The film is set for the select US market starting soon.
Lila Avilés’ film stars Naíma Sentíes, Monserrat Marañón, Marisol Gasé, Saori Gurza, and Teresita Sánchez, and will arrive stateside through Sideshow and Janus Films.
In the enormously poignant follow-up to her international breakthrough, The Chambermaid, director Lila Avilés nestles in with one family over the course of a single, meaningful day. Tótem is told largely from the perspective of 7-year-old Sol (the marvelously naturalistic Naíma Sentíes), as her mother (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, the fragile bonds and unsure future of the family become ever clearer. Avilés confirms her formidable skill at expressing the subtlest contours of her characters’ inner lives in this emotionally expansive and affecting drama.
The film will have an Oscar-qualifying debut for one week only at the end of the year before hitting US screens from 26th January. I urge you to check out this wonderful film. It is glorious.
I’m hoping this gets picked up for the UK soon.
Here’s the US trailer.
