‘Tótem’ wins global feature award at Jakarta Film Week
Tótem, directed by Lila Avilés, took home the global feature award at this year’s Jakarta Film Week. The drama follows young protagonist Sol, played by Naíma Sentíes, at her father’s surprise birthday party.
“We honor a film that captivates us with its intuitive and intimate approach to a complex situation, infusing humanity and hope through the eyes of an innocent child,” Jakarta Film Week shared on their Instagram.
They continued: “With inventive and thoughtful mise-en-scene, fine details, and a delightful sense of humour, the filmmaker brings lightness into subjects of gravity: we are invited to reflect on love, heartbreak, and the poignant act of letting go. The meticulous direction and evocative cinematography immerse us in a story that resonates with the reality of human experiences.”
The film has taken home awards from Berlin International Film Festival, Hong Kong International Film Festival and Lima Film Festival. It has also been selected as Mexico’s entry into the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category for next year’s Academy Awards. Last year, the award went to All Quiet on the Western Front, from director Edward Berger.
Meanwhile, Jeremias Nyangoen took home the direction award for his feature directorial debut, Women from Rote Island. The film was unanimously chosen by the direction award juries.
“The film tackles an urgent important subject – the treatment of women as a second class gender – in a sensitive yet powerful manner,” Jakarta Film Week shared, “The direction is precise and assured and does not feel like a debut feature.”
“All the films in the category were excellent and on the basis of this, we are happy to say that the future of Indonesian cinema is bright. The country will certainly occupy an important position on the world stage,” they concluded.
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