La Chimera is a consciously drawn-out, quietly stunning excavation that breathes tremendous life into what preservation means and how it shifts throughout time. Italian film director Alice Rohrwacher cements herself as someone with a thoughtfully passionate vision and an insightful perspective worth remembering. The film evokes so much that it’s hard to put much of it into words. It demands the viewer to sit with the emotions a bit, to take our initial reaction, and maybe question ourselves to see if we could find something even more profound.
Speaking with The Guardian, Rohrwacher states, “It’s the greater story of what happened in the hearts of man, about a change symbolised by this 1980s phenomenon that archeologists called La Grande Razzia, The Great Raid, which was a big treasure hunt of ancient Etruscan culture. Because for 2,000 years these sacred artefacts had remained intact. They were seen as sacred objects, not things to be sold. Then all of a sudden people started looting the tombs and temples. So, the tombaroli were a local phenomenon. But on a wider level, they represent the moment where capitalism becomes a part of us all.”
Interestingly, it’s not often that you finish a film and immediately search the web to learn something else about it. Sometimes, you take your own opinion and sit with it, yet La Chimera is the type of film that demands understanding and a close viewing of the story.
It’s an expansive film that works as an odyssey of sorts, following Josh O’Connor’s Arthur through uncovering his own chimera, which, by definition, means “an imaginary monster compounded of incongruous parts.” With this, it’s necessary to note that elements of the film are dark; they feel confining, like we’re suffocating alongside the characters—the artifacts, even—then we get moments of levity and light where a dance at the beach leads to a stroll that feels like every bit of the romantic arc we’re searching for in the mundane.
Further, so much of the reason the film succeeds is because, alongside Rohrwacher’s vision, O’Connor is pouring his heart and soul into his character’s journey. He’s layering every moment with meticulous attention, deep compassion, nuance, and so much consideration to showcase how much this journey is changing and evolving Arthur. He’s been a star to watch for quite some time now, but it’s films like La Chimera that emphasize his acting credentials beautifully. Every beat serves as a clear testament to how much the actor is capable of—a rare type of performer who melds so effortlessly into a role he’s playing that we don’t associate him with anyone else. You could watch La Chimera and Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers back to back and wholeheartedly believe the two characters are different. If there’s one reason to watch the film, it’s undoubtedly how O’Connor’s brilliance continually unveils throughout the narrative.
Additionally, the choice to shoot the entirety of the movie on film makes the story feel far more authentic than just a riotous archeological robbery. There’s a desperation in how the story comes to life and a glow that pierces through the frustrating moments because it feels true-to-life and raw. It manifests like something the viewer has accidentally dug up from eons ago and is playing today.
In a sense, films often try to mirror the nostalgia many of us hold, but there’s something about how La Chimera might resonate with people who are living away from home. The film is spirited and easy, yet achingly heartbreaking at the same time. There’s a plethora of depth to uncover alongside the characters, with stories that go far beyond each frame.
La Chimera is now available for digital purchase.
First Featured Image | Poster Credit: 01 Distribution, Ad Vitam Distribution