The film "La Chimera" takes the audience to explore Arthur's spiritual world, where love is revived among ancient tombs.
The film, directed by Alice Rohrwacher, opens with Arthur (Josh O'Connor) dreaming about a mysterious woman while on a train to Tuscany. His dream is interrupted by the call of a ticket inspector, pulling Arthur back to reality.
Arthur was a British psychic with the ability to detect ancient tombs. After serving his sentence for helping gangs steal the property of the deceased, poverty quickly forced him to return to the path of crime to earn money to pay off his debt to Spartaco, who paid Arthur's defense fees and also bought his antiques.
The work exploits the theme of love combined with fantasy elements, making the story new and attractive. Arthur's psychic ability helps the thieves profit from the antiques. But for Arthur, it is a way for him to find the girl of his dreams - Benjamina, who died mysteriously. Her image always haunts the male lead's subconscious, making him yearn to reunite with his girlfriend in the world of souls.
After his release from prison, Arthur goes to his mother Benjamina's house, where memories of him and his girlfriend still linger. There, he meets a maid named Italia. While Benjamina represents the past, the mortal world, and the untouchable memories, Italia represents the present. Arthur seems to be trapped in a love affair with two women - one has left this world, the other is alive.
The moment when Arthur and Italia's relationship gradually develops well is when he discovers a mysterious tomb, where a statue of a god with a face identical to Benjamina is buried. The main character's conflict reflects the inner struggle between the past and the present, the living and the dead.
The Chimera Inspired by classic filmmaking, shot on 16mm and 35mm film, combined with natural light, the film evokes the atmosphere of the Italian countryside in the 1980s. Slow-motion shots of fields stretching under the summer sun, small towns and ancient buildings create a poetic, nostalgic world.
The film's pace is slow but not boring as it interweaves humorous details through the tomb robbers' missions. The work also shows a satirical perspective on human greed in the face of ancient cultural values being buried by the wave of industrialization.
By setting the scene, director Alice Rohrwacher depicts Italy as the ruins of a once-prosperous culture. The act of grave robbing is a metaphor for the resurgence of the past, where souls are "resurrected" from the dead. But this evokes a strange feeling, as if they are drifting between two worlds, blurring the line between life and death. Out of greed, people can destroy the past, looting the property of the dead to sell "underground" on the black market.
Interwoven with many segments is nostalgic music, combining classical melodies and Italian folk instruments, creating a romantic atmosphere, taking the audience back to a bygone era.
Actor Josh O'Connor left an impression when playing the role of a lost, lonely man with sad eyes and a gaunt body. He showed his love for antiques through gestures and facial expressions. According to Guardian , the character of Arthur was originally conceived as middle-aged, around 40-50 years old. However, the audition of 34-year-old O'Connor convinced the director to change his mind. This site rates the character of Arthur in The Chimera is an outstanding performance in the artist's career.
The film received positive reviews from critics. Critic Guy Lodge of Variety said the pacing was "snappy and fluid" and praised Rohrwacher's direction, cinematography and cast. Peter Bradshaw of Guardian rated the film 5/5 stars, saying that the work presents Italy as a treasure trove of ancient civilization.
According to Hollywood Reporter , the project is considered by critics to be one of the best Italian films of 2023. Magazine Quote comment The Chimera Reminiscent of the works of veteran director Pier Paolo Pasolini, Alice Rohrwacher shows calculation in storytelling and staging.
Alice Rohrwacher, 43, is one of the most promising contemporary directors today. Previously, The Wonders (2014) won the Jury Prize at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, Happy as Lazzaro (2018) won the 2018 Cannes Best Screenplay Award.
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