La Chimera tells the tale of An Englishman in Italy and his rag-tag team of Tombaroli (Tomb Raiders). More than that, is a story of life, love, and death in pursuit of buried treasure “not made for Human Eyes”.

Through no small effort, cinema’s great Adventure films have historically carved out their own place on the genre map. Like a Noir, or a Western, it’s more than novelty gimmicks that set them apart. It is an atmosphere and pervasive feeling that audiences seek when they choose this kind of film. Delicate operations, these (reductively named) “genre films” can fail for many reasons. Still, one of the universal symptoms of non-delivery is falling back on a secondary plotline or action-oriented set-pieces. This is all too common in contemporary cinema and leaves that uncomfortable feeling that what you’re watching is nothing new. Making none of these traditional errors, La Chimera reminded me to expect more and that the spirit of adventure has to inhabit a film which claims its namesake.  

Melodramatic praise aside, Writer-Director Alice Rohrwacher monumentally succeeds in channelling that spirit of adventure along the thin intersection of danger and awe, laying out a modern benchmark for filmmakers worldwide. Because the film itself is clearly a product of such love and excitement (and I imagine hundreds of gruelling hours in editing), the narrative’s pace is totally fluid, yet it does not for a moment bore or overwhelm. On the contrary - the balance, restraint, and sense of fun have been concocted to create a sweeping sensation for the audience. Intrigue, sympathy, and investment are garnered in the first five minutes and don’t let off for the duration.

La Chimera’s distinct identity can be found in play, at times especially elevated by the bickering/bantering cast of charming secondary characters and playful technical features that consistently remind audiences not to take the whole ordeal too seriously. Atop this, a good heavy injection of surrealism means one never gets too comfortable with the boundaries of where the journey is headed. Kinaesthetically, the film is deeply in touch with texture, temperature, movement, and rhythm. Tension, focus, and form are endlessly variable, so scenes and sequences never under/overstay their welcome.

Both cast and casting nailed it, but a large roster of characters always carries the risk of underdevelopment, but that’s a minor gripe. But ultimately each character acts and feels distinct on screen, and each bond is tried and twisted in strange and charming ways. Altogether, this filmmaker and her team have told a story that utilises Humanity and mythology with such practiced ease that I’ll be spending the next few weeks seeking out the rest of her work. Rohrwacher is a force to be reckoned with. La Chimera has been nominated for a Palme d’Or.

 Cinema is more than capable of re-sparking child-like excitement in the heart when done right. La Chimera proves it. Please see this movie!

4.5 out of 5 stars

La Chimera is screening from Mon 26 Feb – Sun 3 Mar at Perth Festival Lotterywest Films.