As seven-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes) and her mother cross a bridge, they hold their breaths and make wishes in a whimsical tradition of superstition. Sol wishes for her ailing father, Tona (Mateo Garcia), to keep living, while her mother's focus stays steadfastly on the path ahead. "Tótem," a film by writer-director Lila Avilés, follows a day in the family's life as they prepare a birthday celebration for Tona. The occasion becomes both a tribute to another year of his life and a gentle farewell gathering.
In the background, Tona rests while sisters and nieces bustle around, baking and tidying up, their energetic dialogues providing a layer of familial nostalgia. Yet, as time advances, the undercurrents of emotional tension rise, etching fractures into the family's surface camaraderie.
"Tótem" captures raw moments of family intimacy and innocuous banter with an up-close, homemade quality, as though viewed through the lens of a household fly. Each character, from Sol to aunt Nuria (Montserrat Marañon), conveys their emotional journey through actions more than words, their coping mechanisms and nuances beautifully portrayed by the actors.
While Nuria obsessively focuses on Tona's cake and secludes herself from the ongoing bustle, Sol finds solace in the company of animals. She collects snails, converses with parrots, and ponders on fascinating aspects of nature. These creatures gradually invade their home, mirroring the stealthy encroachment of her father's impending demise on her reality. As this realization dawns on her, her interactions with these creatures subtly evolve.
The peripheral elements in Avilés’ screenplay-all the intricate details-are flawlessly presented, contributing vastly to the overall impact of the film. "Tótem" derives its authenticity not from grand gestures or dialogues but from realistic, everyday interactions. Its relatability only lends more credibility to the portrayal of these characters as a real family.
"Tótem" resonates with viewers as it effortlessly depicts different shades and stages of grief-from shared laughter and fondly remembered anecdotes to the cold distance of denial and tremulous smiles of intertwined joy and sadness. It's akin to a masterfully woven family videotape that strikes a chord with its accurate depiction of complex emotions.
The film is a touching narrative that masterfully paints the anticipation of grief. Avilés presents a delicately woven tale that reveals the multifaceted nature of grief from different perspectives and stages of life, transforming it into a comforting yet sorrowful experience. Restrained yet poignant, "Tótem" is a priceless depiction of the human condition, teetering between comfort and sadness, and the inescapable truth of our mortality.
