La Chimera follows Arthur (Josh O’Connor), a surly, heartbroken young Brit archaeologist living a nomadic life with his friendly group of grave robbers. Arthur has a special ability to find tombs with Etruscan antiques buried along with the bodies. Still mourning his lost love, Beniamina (Yle Vianello), he makes time for her mother, Flora (Isabella Rossellini), who also can’t seem to let her go. But everything starts to change when he meets Italia (Carol Duarte), a beautiful young mother taking singing lessons from Flora. Even as their flirtation blossoms, Arthur can’t shake his brooding ways. But as Italia softens him, Arthur begins to wonder about the possibility of his happiness. Raiding tombs gives him momentary pleasure, but the spoils never last, and his heartache only seems to function as armour. Rohrwacher uses magical realism to craft a film that’s just as playful as it is heartbreaking.–RogerEbert.com

“Mournful yet exuberant, “La Chimera” is a towering work of art presented with the unassuming invitation of a warming summer morning.”–Los Angeles Times

“There’s a precision to Josh O’Connor’s balance of Arthur’s heavy moroseness with a spritely mischief. It’s a remarkable, complete performance and in Alice Rohrwacher, O’Connor has found the perfect directing partner.”–The Nightly (AU)