By Amanda Gilmore
Set in 1980s Tuscany, the latest from Alice Rohrwacher follows a group of tomb raiders who seek old relics of the Etruscans. All in the group are hoping to strike it rich except their gifted leader, Englishman Arthur (Josh O’Connor), who’s on a spiritual quest into these tombs.
As the title suggests, Arthur is quite literally searching for a chimera: something hoped for but near impossible to achieve. Still grieving over his partner Beniamina’s passing, Arthur believes in ancient stories about these tombs. That one may hold an entryway to the afterlife. He tomb raids with this purpose only: to see Beniamina again. Along the way, he does enjoy the camaraderie and the money that comes from the relics he and his vaudeville group find.
O’Connor is nothing short of revelatory. He carries Arthur’s weighted grief and yearning for what might be. La Chimera has a second romantic storyline for Arthur. We watch as the quirky Italia (a superb Carol Duarte), who works for Beniamina’s mother Flora (Isabella Rossellini), falls for the Englishman. We are gripped by the inner conflict O’Connor gives Arthur as he contemplates moving forward in the waking world or continuing his search for the sleeping one.
As a story about grave-robbing, Rohrwacher adds additional layers to this dreamy frolic through Tuscany. We watch as relics are taken by the group and sold to the infamous trafficker Spartaco (Alba Rohrwacher). Near the end, once a fifth-century relic of invaluable worth is found, we are faced with the question of who these items really belong to. Just as Italia questions the ownership of an old abandoned railway station. Do they belong to everyone or no one?
All of these themes are captured through captivating, dreamy imagery by Cinematographer Hélène Louvart which alternates between 35mm, Super 16 and 16mm.
La Chimera screens at TIFF ’23:
Tuesday, September 12 at 12 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox
Thursday, September 14 at 12:15 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
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