Sol (Naima Sentíes) is a nineish year-old Mexican girl. Her artistic father Ton is terminally ill and death hovers. His family decides to celebrate his birthday with a large party. Sol arrives at her aunt’s house early for the party. Ton’s husband and Sol’s aunt Nuria has taken to drinking heavily unable to process the impending death of her husband Ton. Mini relationship explosions are falling like shells around Sol.
Sol repeatedly asks to see her father Ton but is gently guided away from that by family members replete with excuses and perhaps with misguided good faith. One senses she is drifting through the impending death of her father not comprehending the finality of death. And how can she comprehend if no one in the family explains to her exactly what death is. They whisper amongst each other about it.
The movie may strike you more as a documentary without any purpose other than eavesdropping on the extended family and all its problems. Sol watches Nuria’s drinking, listens to family arguments, helps Nuria bake a cake, breaks some pottery, watches a spiritualist clean the house of evil spirits (and she also sells Tupperware), sees her cell phone obsessed teen cousins argue, showers being taken, talks with a pet dog and parrot etc.
Sounds dull doesn’t it but be patient and wait. In a momentous moment Sol realizes that her father is dying and in so doing her “drifting” is smashed and she realizes what life is. Many of us have had that moment realizing what death it is and it can be enormous. Sol may have experienced earlier than most. From personal experience, having lost a father at nine years old I can identify with Sol.
A slow-moving film that has an explosive nuclear finish. You may not understand it or like me you may have lived it and know it all to well. A strange birthday where life and death are equally celebrated.
A subtle masterpiece by Director Lila Avilés.
A Danish, Mexican and French production.
Limited Canadian theatrical release commencing 25Janary2024.
You can watch the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEYx_vOof1w
RKS 2024 Film Rating 96/100.
Set the Bar 