Alice Rohrwacher’s La Chimera is a captivating exploration of loss, longing, and the allure of the unknown. Set against the stunning backdrop of Italy’s ancient landscapes, the film follows a group of grave robbers on a quest for hidden treasures and personal redemption. In her interview with Letterboxd, Rohrwacher delved deep into the cinematic influences that shaped this enigmatic film, offering a fascinating glimpse into the creative process behind La Chimera.
The Adventure Spark: Indiana Jones’s Influence on La Chimera and Alice Rohrwacher
Alice Rohrwacher’s cinematic journey begins with an unlikely muse: Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones. Growing up in a small town in Italy with limited access to cinema, the young Rohrwacher found herself captivated by the adventurous spirit of the iconic archaeologist on a tiny television screen. This experience was more than just watching a movie; it was a shared adventure with a group of children, all huddled together, transported to a world of ancient ruins, booby traps, and hidden treasures. The limitations of the small screen only amplified the film’s magic. Their imaginations filled in the details, turning the grainy image into a grand spectacle.
This early encounter with Indiana Jones ignited a lifelong fascination with exploration and discovery in Rohrwacher. The film resonated with her because it wasn’t just about the thrill of adventure; it was about the power of imagination and the allure of the unknown. Just like Indiana Jones, who ventured into remote corners of the globe in search of lost artifacts, Rohrwacher, surrounded by historical objects in her own backyard, began to see the world around her with fresh eyes. Every bump in the earth, every old stone, held the potential for a hidden treasure or a forgotten story.
The influence of Indiana Jones is evident in La Chimera. The film’s protagonist, Arthur, shares Indiana Jones’ sense of determination and his thirst for adventure. Like Indiana Jones, Arthur is on a quest – a search for a mythical doorway to the afterlife, a gateway to a lost love. The film captures the excitement of the chase, the thrill of uncovering secrets, and the frustration of encountering dead ends. But La Chimera also goes beyond the typical adventure film formula. It delves deeper into the emotional core of Arthur’s journey, exploring themes of loss, grief, and the human desire for connection.
The Magic of Fellini and Pasolini on La Chimera
Italian cinema has profoundly influenced Rohrwacher’s work. Federico Fellini’s Roma is a dreamlike exploration of the Italian capital, weaving together historical figures, fantastical scenarios, and Fellini’s own memories. The film’s episodic structure and its blurring of lines between reality and imagination resonate with La Chimera. In La Chimera, the tomb robbers’ pursuit of their Chimera – a symbol of personal redemption or a lost love – takes them on a journey that is both physical and metaphorical. Just as Fellini’s characters navigate a fantastical Rome, the characters in La Chimera delve into the mysteries hidden beneath the earth, encountering unexpected discoveries that challenge their perceptions of reality.
Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Accattone is a starkly different film, a neo-realist masterpiece that depicts the harsh realities of life on the fringes of Roman society. The film’s central character, Accattone, is a petty criminal struggling to survive. Pasolini avoids romanticizing Accattone, instead portraying him as a product of his environment and the social forces that keep him trapped in poverty. This approach to character development is evident in La Chimera. The film’s tomb robbers are not portrayed as heroic adventurers, but rather as individuals driven by desperation and the desire for a better life. Their pursuit of the Chimera is a collective endeavor, reflecting the shared dreams and struggles of their community.
Also, Read 10 Best Films Of Federico Fellini
A Fusion of Cinematic Voices
By drawing inspiration from the adventurous spirit of Indiana Jones, the surrealism of Fellini, and the social realism of Pasolini, Alice Rohrwacher has created a unique cinematic blend in La Chimera. The film’s exploration of themes such as loss, longing, and the search for meaning is enriched by these diverse influences, resulting in a captivating and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
