Tótem
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Synopsis
In a bustling Mexican household, seven-year-old Sol is swept up in the whirlwind of preparations for her terminally ill father’s birthday party, led by her mother, aunts, and other relatives. As the day builds to an event both anticipated and dreaded, Sol and her family begin to understand the gravity of this year’s celebration. Lila Avilés directs a dynamic ensemble cast in this stunning sophomore effort—a warmly observed, poignantly funny, and emotionally expansive study of the ways we cope with grief.
Picture 9/10
Lila Avilés’ Tótem receives a Blu-ray release through Criterion’s Janus Contemporaries line, presented on a dual-layer disc in 1080p/24hz and its original aspect ratio of about 1.33:1.
The presentation is sharp and clean, with a solid encode that maintains a pleasing texture. Fine details are well-rendered, with no noticeable digital anomalies. Shadow detail is fine overall, with decent gradations, though black levels can appear a bit muddy at times, likely a byproduct of the film’s original photography. The color palette leans toward earthy tones, though there are some striking pops of red and blue throughout, all of which are well-saturated. Despite the occasional issue with black levels, the image maintains a strong visual quality.
In the end, it’s a beautifully handled presentation that serves the film well.
Audio 8/10
The film’s Spanish-language soundtrack is presented in DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround. As Tótem is a fairly low-key, intimate film, it’s not surprising that the mix is subtle, but it’s still effective. Most of the audio is focused in the front channels, though ambient sounds are thoughtfully mixed into the environment—like a scene where a black bird startles a characted from above. As the film progresses and more people arrive at the party central to the plot, the mix becomes a little livelier, with music and background chatter filling out the soundscape. The range is impressively wide, and there are no signs of distortion.
Extras 3/10
As a no-frills Janus Contemporaries edition, this release includes only a couple of features: the trailer and a 16-minute interview with director Lila Avilés, recorded for The Criterion Channel’s Meet the Filmmakers. I found her segment particularly enjoyable, with the filmmaker discussing the emotional inspiration behind Tótem while touching on the pressures and expectations that come with a second feature—this one following her debut, The Chambermaid. Avilés even highlights an element that ties the two films together, and briefly explores what motivated her to become a filmmaker. Though the interview feels too short, it’s one of the better examples of its kind.
The edition also includes a brief essay by Michael Joshua Rowin, which offers a quick look into the film along with some production details, presented in an insert.
While the supplemental material isn’t especially deep, I did enjoy Avilés’ interview.
Closing
Lila Avilés' second feature receives a beautiful high-def presentation, though it’s light on extras.
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