Winner of the Ecumenical Jury Prize 2023 at the Berlin International Film Festival
Mexican director Lila Avilés’ marvelous second feature unfolds over a single day, as a large extended family throws a raucous, lavish birthday party for one of its own. But seen through the eyes of 8-year-old Sol (sensational newcomer Naima Senties), the joys, smiles and hugs of the party mask a deeper sorrow. Despite a large cast, Aviles draws each character in exquisite, compassionate detail, from the boozing sister to the pained father, frequently finding their loneliness within the crowd. The film’s golden glow, the layered family dynamics, and perfectly calibrated performances create a luminous portrait of a loving family poised on the edge of grief. It’s the kind of brilliantly observed film in which a pause before blowing out birthday candles carries the immense emotional weight of revelation. – SM