La chimera
La chimera (Italian: [la kiˈmɛːra]) is a 2023 period comedy-drama film written and directed by Alice Rohrwacher. The film stars Josh O'Connor as a British archaeologist who gets involved in an international network of stolen Etruscan artifacts during the 1980s. Carol Duarte, Vincenzo Nemolato, Alba Rohrwacher and Isabella Rossellini appear in supporting roles.
| La chimera | |
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Release poster | |
| Directed by | Alice Rohrwacher |
| Written by | Alice Rohrwacher |
| Produced by | Carlo Cresto Dina |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Hélène Louvart |
| Edited by | Nelly Quettier |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 133 minutes |
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| Box office | $3.2 million[2] |
La chimera was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered on 26 May 2023. It was released in Italy by 01 Distribution on 23 November 2023. It received 13 nominations at the 69th David di Donatello awards.[3] The film received positive reviews from critics, being named one of the top 5 international films of 2023 by the National Board of Review.[4]
Premise edit
This article needs an improved plot summary. (May 2024) |
Set in Lazio, the story centers on a young British archaeologist who gets involved in an international network of stolen Etruscan artifacts during the 1980s.
Cast edit
- Josh O'Connor as Arthur[5]
- Carol Duarte as Italia[5]
- Vincenzo Nemolato as Pirro[5]
- Alba Rohrwacher as Frida[5]
- Isabella Rossellini as Flora[5]
- Lou Roy-Lecollinet as Mélodie[5]
- Gian Piero Capretto as Mario[5]
- Ramona Fiorini as Fabriana[5]
- Luca Gargiullo
- Giuliano Mantovani as Jerry[5]
- Melchiorre Pala as Melchiorre[5]
- Yile Vianello as Beniamina[5]
- Carlo Tarmati
- Julia Pandolfo as Colombina[5]
Production edit
Filming began in February 2022,[6] and was filmed in southern Tuscany (Montalcino, Asciano–Monte Antico railway, Monte Amiata Scalo, Torrenieri) northern Lazio (Tarquinia, Blera, San Lorenzo Nuovo, Civitavecchia) and Umbria (villa di Casa Pisana in Castel Giorgio).[7][8][9][10][11]
Release edit
La chimera premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on 26 May 2023, where it was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or and received a nine-minute standing ovation.[12] It screened at the 61st New York Film Festival in October 2023.[13] It was also invited at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in 'Icon' section and was screened on 7 October 2023.[14]
It was released in Italy by 01 Distribution on 23 November 2023,[15] and in France by Ad Vitam on 6 December 2023.[16] Neon acquired North American distribution rights to the film at the Marché du Film at Cannes in May 2022;[17][18][19] it was released in the United States by Neon on 29 March 2024.[20][21]
Reception edit
Box office edit
The film opened in North America on 29 March 2024 and grossed $44,511 from 3 theatres during its opening weekend, finishing 32nd at the box office.[22][23][2]
As of 6 May 2024[update], La Chimera grossed $713,795 in North America (USA, Canada and Puerto Rico), and $2,392,612 in other territories, for a worldwide total of $3.1 million.[2]
Critical response edit
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of 123 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "If La Chimera is a wild, improbable pursuit, this marvelous and magical tale by Alice Rochrwacher is the pie in the sky to behold."[24] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 91 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[25]
In his review for Variety, following its premiere at Cannes, Guy Lodge called the film "marvelously supple and sinuous" and commended Rohrwacher's direction, the cinematography and the cast performances, particularly O'Connor's, of which he wrote: "Raffish and boyish at the same time—or switching between either mode as a cover for the other—O'Connor's deft, droll performance implies such possibilities without sentimentalizing them".[26] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film 5 out of 5 stars, reporting that the film "totally occupies its own narrative space," depicting "a poignant sense of Italy as a treasure trove of past glories, a necropolitan culture of ancient excellence," through direction that is "exhilarating and celebratory in its utterly distinctive style."[27]
The film was considered one of the best Italian film projects of 2023 by Italian critics.[28][29][30] Alessandro De Simone of Ciak wrote that it is visible "an avowedly Pasolinian structure" in which the director inserts "a calculated anarchy in narrative and in staging," finding it overall "very simple, the chaos is orderly, fascinating and magical," although "it could have been more so."[31] Andrea Chimento of Il Sole 24 Ore described the project as Rohrwacher's "most ambitious and profound operation", which although it "spins too much in the middle part," emerges as "an intriguing and enigmatic film, endowed with a symbolic atmosphere that makes it a feature film worth thinking about and digesting."[32]
Accolades edit
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels Mediterranean Film Festival | 8 December 2023 | Prix spécial du Jury | La chimera | Won | [33] |
| Cannes Film Festival | 27 May 2023 | AFCAE Art House Cinema Award | Alice Rohrwacher | Won | [34] |
| Palme Dog - Mutt Moment | La chimera | Won | [35] | ||
| Palme d'Or | Alice Rohrwacher | Nominated | [12] | ||
| Chicago International Film Festival | 22 October 2023 | Gold Hugo | La chimera | Nominated | [36] |
| Silver Hugo for Best Cinematography | Hélène Louvart | Won | [37] | ||
| Silver Hugo for Best Ensemble Performance | Cast of La chimera | Won | |||
| David di Donatello | 3 May 2024 | Best Film | La chimera | Nominated | [3] |
| Best Producer | Carlo Cresto-Dina, Paolo Del Brocco, Rai Cinema, AMKA Films Productions, Ad Vitam Production | Nominated | |||
| Best Director | Alice Rohrwacher | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | Josh O'Connor | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Alba Rohrwacher | Nominated | |||
| Isabella Rossellini | Nominated | ||||
| Best Original Screenplay | Alice Rohrwacher | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Hélène Louvart | Nominated | |||
| Best Sets and Decorations | Emita Frigato, Rachele Meliadò | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing | Nelly Quettier | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | Xavier Lavorel, Marta Billingsley, Maxence Ciekawy | Nominated | |||
| Best Costumes | Loredana Buscemi | Nominated | |||
| Best Hairstyling | Daniela Tartari | Nominated | |||
| European Film Awards | 9 December 2023 | Best Production Designer | Emita Frigato | Won | [38] |
| Best European Actor | Josh O'Connor | Nominated | [39] | ||
| Golden Ciak | to be announced | Best Motion Picture - Drama | La chimera | Pending | [40] |
| Best Director | Alice Rohrwacher | Pending | |||
| International Cinephile Society | 11 February 2024 | Best Picture | La chimera | Nominated | [41] |
| Best Actor | Josh O'Connor | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Hélène Louvart | Nominated | |||
| Swiss Film Awards | 22 March 2024 | Best Sound | Xavier Lavorel | Won | [42] |
| Telluride Film Festival | 24 September 2023 | Silver Medallion Award | Alice Rohrwacher | Won | [43] |
| Valladolid International Film Festival | 28 October 2023 | Golden Spike | La chimera | Nominated | [44] |
| Silver Spike | Won | [45] |
References edit
- ^ a b Ntim, Zac (7 June 2023). "Alice Rohrwacher's Cannes Title 'La Chimera' Sells Out Internationally For The Match Factory". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ a b c "La Chimera (2023)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ a b Roxborough, Scott (3 April 2024). "Paola Cortellesi's 'There's Still Tomorrow' Leads Italy's Donatello Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary (6 December 2023). "National Board of Review Names 'Killers of the Flower Moon' Best Film of 2023". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "La chimère" (in French). Ad Vitam. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ Vivarelli, Nick (14 February 2022). "'The Crown' Star Josh O'Connor, Isabella Rossellini Set for Alice Rohrwacher's 'La Chimera' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
- ^ Vagaggini, Elisabetta (14 April 2023). ""La Chimera", il nuovo film di Alice Rohrwacher in concorso a Cannes 76". intoscana - Il Portale ufficiale della Toscana (in Italian). Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "Civitavecchia, 7 giorni di riprese per "La Chimera", il nuovo film di Alice Rohrwacher". Meridiana Notizie, Agenzia videogiornalistica dedicata alla Regione Lazio, Sede ROMA (in Italian). 28 September 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "In Toscana l'anno dei grandi set riparte con il nuovo film di Alice Rohrwacher" (in Italian). Toscana Film Commission. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Ravarino, Ilaria (26 May 2023). "Alice Rohrwacher on Tomb Raiders, AI and Casting Josh O'Connor in 'La Chimera'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Santacatterina, Manuela (23 November 2023). ""La Chimera è un film fatto a mano, tra divinità, tombe e dipinti rupestri": parola di Emita Frigato, professione scenografa". The Hollywood Reporter (in Italian). Rome. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony; Tartaglione, Nancy (26 May 2023). "Alice Rohrwacher's 'La Chimera' Revels In Nine-Minute Standing Ovation At Triumphant Cannes Film Festival Premiere". Deadline. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ Keogan, Natalia (8 August 2023). "New York Film Festival Reveals Main Slate for 61st Edition | Filmmaker Magazine". Filmmaker. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
- ^ "The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List". Busan International Film Festival. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ Ravarino, Ilaria (5 July 2023). "Cartoline da Venezia: quattro film del listino 01 Distribution in predicato per il Lido". The Hollywood Reporter Roma (in Italian). Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ Mrad, Slim (21 May 2023). "Ecoprod désigne ses lauréats". Boxoffice Pro (in French). Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ Ravindran, Manori (20 May 2022). "Neon Buys Josh O'Connor and Isabella Rossellini's 'La Chimera'". Variety. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (20 May 2022). "Neon Takes North America On Alice Rohrwacher's 'La Chimera' – Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (20 May 2022). "Cannes: Neon Nabs Alice Rohrwacher's 'La Chimera,' Starring Josh O'Connor, Isabella Rossellini". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ Vivarelli, Nick (23 May 2023). "Alice Rohrwacher on Casting 'The Crown' Star Josh O'Connor as a British Archaeologist Who Helps Steal Artifacts in 'La Chimera' – Watch Clip (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "LA CHIMERA". Neon. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ Goldsmith, Jill (29 March 2024). "Liam Neeson & Sean Penn Pics Stomp Into Monster Mashup Weekend – Specialty Preview". Deadline. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Goldsmith, Jill (31 March 2024). "'Late Night With The Devil' Possesses Week 2; Duo Of Indian Films Hits Top Ten – Specialty Box Office". Deadline. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ "La chimera". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "La chimera". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Lodge, Guy (26 May 2023). "'La Chimera' Review: Josh O'Connor Is a Grave Robber Seeking More Elusive Treasure in Alice Rohrwacher's Enchanting New Film". Variety. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (26 May 2023). "La Chimera review – Alice Rohrwacher's uproarious adventure teems with life". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Barone, Martina (29 December 2023). "Bianco e nero, noir e documentari. Anche un pizzico di humor: tutto il meglio del cinema italiano del 2023 in 10 film (scelti dalla redazione)". The Hollywood Reporter Roma (in Italian). Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Santoni, Simona (28 December 2023). "I 10 film italiani più belli del 2023". Panorama (in Italian). Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- ^ "I 23 migliori film usciti al cinema in Italia nel 2023" (in Italian). Sky TG24. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Simone, Alessandro De (27 May 2023). "Cannes 2023, La chimera, recensione del film di Alice Rohrwacher". Ciak (in Italian). Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Chimento, Andrea (24 November 2023). ""La chimera", segreti e misteri in un film carico di nostalgia". Il Sole 24 Ore (in Italian). Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ "Bruxelles : affluence record au festival Cinemamed, qui décerne son Grand Prix au réalisateur turc Selman Nacar" (in French). RTBF. Belga. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ Lemercier, Fabien (27 May 2023). "Four Daughters and The Mother of All Lies scoop Cannes' Golden Eye". Cineuropa. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (26 May 2023). "Cannes: 'Anatomy of a Fall' Border Collie Messi Wins Palm Dog in Most Competitive Canine Contest Yet". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy (14 September 2023). "'Fallen Leaves', 'About Dry Grasses', 'La Chimera' among Chicago fest international line-up (exclusive)". Screendaily. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "59th Chicago International Film Festival Announces Award-Winners". RogerEbert.com. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "These are the winners of the Excellence Awards 2023". European Film Awards. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (7 November 2023). "'Fallen Leaves' & 'The Zone Of Interest' Top European Film Award Nominations In Main Categories". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ "Ciak d'oro 2023, tutti i candidati". Ciak. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Stevens, Beth (11 February 2024). "2024 ICS Award Winners". International Cinephile Society. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "Best sound 2024 La Chimera". schweizerkulturpreise.ch. 23 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ Poliziani, Karli (19 October 2023). "Telluride Film Festival 2023 Winners". Grazia. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Rivera, Alfonso (19 October 2023). "Valladolid's Seminci celebrates its first edition directed by José Luis Cienfuegos". Cineuropa. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ Hopewell, John; Sandoval, Pablo (29 October 2023). "Valladolid: 'The Permanent Picture,' 'The Old Oak' Win Big as the Spanish Festival's Reboot Wins Applause". Variety. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
External links edit
- La chimera at IMDb