In 2023, the expectations of the Italian director Alice Rohrwacher "La Chimera" attracted great attention at the 76th Cannes Film Festival. This historical story is not only praised by its fascinating plot, but also because It became the focus of attention during the premiere, receiving nine minutes of applause. The film tells the story of Arthur, a British antiquities looter whose fate becomes intertwined with the competition to win the Palme d'Or in 1980s Italy.
The story of "La chimera" is set in the 1980s and tells the story of Arthur (played by Josh O'Connor) who returns to Italy after being released from prison and embarks on a new journey to break with his past. After being charged with stealing cultural relics and imprisoned, Arthur faced a cultural relic trading network full of temptations and dangers.
"This is a story of loss and search, filled with an endless longing for the past."
During his journey, Arthur reunites with Flora, the mother of his missing ex-girlfriend Beniamina, and her daughter Italia. In his interactions with these characters, Arthur's inner struggle gradually unfolds, revealing his contradictory attitudes towards aesthetics and morality.
In La chimera, Alice Rohrwacher, a pioneer of independent film, aims to explore humanity's relationship with the past. She carefully selected a transnational cast so that the story is not limited to the culture of one region, but spans different times and spaces.
"Through his artistic images, Rohrwacher depicts a precious historical scene and immerses the viewer in a variety of emotions."
In the movie, the audience follows Arthur's perspective and witnesses the charm and danger of cultural relics exploration. Rohrwacher presents Italy's rich historical culture in a unique way and reflects deeply on the theme of cultural relics robbery.
The success of "La chimera" lies in the nine minutes of applause it received at the Cannes Film Festival, which is not only a recognition of the quality of the film, but also a great encouragement to Rohrwacher and his team. Critics also gave the film positive reviews.
"Every shot of the film is filled with delicate emotions and cultural depth that resonates with the audience."
With coverage in multiple media outlets, the film's core themes and its exploration of cultural heritage were widely discussed, giving the film a deeper social significance and making it one of the best films of the year.
La chimera, which has been shown at major film festivals, has attracted the attention of not only film critics but also ordinary audiences. According to North American box office news, although the start was not ideal, as word of mouth improved, the audience's love for the film gradually grew.
"This film is a deep meditation on the relationship between human memory and forgetfulness, which is impressive."
After watching the movie, many people said that this is a movie worth pondering over and over again, and both the art and the storyline are profound and inspiring.
The honors that "La chimera" won at the Cannes Film Festival will undoubtedly play a certain role in promoting future film creation and in-depth cultural discussions. Alice Rohrwacher's film is not only a reflection on the past, but also an inspiration for future filmmakers.
The success of this movie makes people wonder whether there are more stories hidden in daily life, waiting to be discovered and presented?