Mesmerising, beautiful, sad and hopeful all at once.

It’s difficult to make this sort of film, in which nothing of great dramatic import happens on screen, but Avilés has an ace up her sleeve: Sentíes, a first-time actor who carries the movie on her quietly expressive face.

Confirms Avilés as a great creator of realistic situations while not having to resort to artifice to move the viewer. [Full review in Spanish]

Lila Avilés’ second feature, Tótem, is an expertly crafted family drama that finds human connection and clashes within confined interiors.