The 66th edition of the Ariel Awards, sponsored by the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences, was held last week for the second consecutive year at Guadalajara’s majestic Degollado Theater.
The big winner was “Totem,” an emotional drama about a family coping with the imminent death of a loved one, which took home five awards out of its 15 nominations. “Totem” won Best Film, Best Director (Lila Avilés) and Best Original Screenplay. The film’s young star, 11-year-old Naíma Sentíes, won Best New Actor, while Montserrat Marañón was awarded Best Supporting Actress. Told through the eyes of the young character Sol (Sentíes), “Totem” explores themes of family, grief, memory and the cycle of life and death. The film is available on Netflix.
Other notable winners included “Temporada de huracanes,” “Kokoloko,” “Heróico” and the documentary “El Eco.”
“The Snow Society,” a film based on the 1972 Andes flight disaster and the survival story of 16 Uruguayan rugby players and their companions, won Best Ibero-American Film.
Oscars Legendary Mexican actress Angélica María was honored with the Golden Ariel for her 74-year career in acting and music. Often referred to as “La Novia de México” (Mexico’s Sweetheart), she began acting at the age of five, appearing in Mexican films and telenovelas.
In the 1960s, María transitioned to music, becoming a pioneer of the balada romántica genre and releasing numerous hit songs.