Watch A Chiara

A Chiara is a gripping coming-of-age drama written and directed by Italian filmmaker Jonas Carpignano, set for release in 2021. It is the second installment of a planned Calabrian trilogy by Carpignano, following his acclaimed feature Mediterranea (2015) and Ciambra (2017). The story revolves around the titular character, Chiara Guerrasio, a 15-year-old girl growing up in Gioia Tauro, a small town in the Calabria region of Southern Italy, known for its strong community ties but also for the pervasive influence of the 'Ndrangheta, the Calabrian mafia.

The central performance is delivered by Swamy Rotolo, who portrays Chiarra with a haunting maturity that belies her young age. The film also stars Pio Amato and Leonardo Bevilacqua, among others, who bring life to a cast of characters deeply embedded in the social and cultural tapestry of their environment.

A Chiara begins by framing the seemingly normal life of the Guerrasio family through Chiara's eyes. Engaged in the everyday activities of school, friends, and family gatherings, Chiara's life appears ordinary and uneventful at first glance. The story is immediately engaging, as Carpignano deploys a docu-fiction style, which has become his signature, to immerse viewers in the textures of the Calabrian setting and the intricacies of its society. His camera captures moments of authentic interaction that lend a deeply personal and realistic dimension to the narrative.

The plot unfolds as Chiara's world gets upended during her younger sister's birthday party, an event that should be a cause for celebration. Without delving into detail that would spoil the unfolding events, it's revealed that Chiara's father is involved in activities that extend beyond his everyday guise as a caring parent and respectable member of the community.

As Chiara grapples with the dawning realization of her father's true involvement with the local criminal underworld, the audience embarks on a journey of discovery alongside her. Chiara's initially stable and secure environment begins to show cracks, and her perception of family and trust is steadily eroded as secrets bubble to the surface. Carpignano excels at capturing her internal struggle, with moments of denial, anger, and ultimately the search for truth and her place within this fracturing world.

Central to the film's success is Rotolo's performance, which anchors the story in a deeply emotional and relatable terrain. Her nuanced acting allows viewers to feel the weight of her discoveries and the toll it takes on her relationships with loved ones, friends, and her own sense of identity. Carpignano showcases a delicate balancing act, sketching the broad strokes of a crime drama while delving into the intimate psychological portrait of a young girl facing extraordinary circumstances.

Supporting roles add layers to the narrative, with characters who are products of the same environment as Chiara. Through these relationships, the movie examines themes of loyalty, community, and the complex ties that bind individuals to their heritage. The appearance of non-professional actors, residents from Gioia Tauro, adds authenticity and emotional heft to the story.

Cinematography in A Chiara is evocative and tells a story of its own. Carpignano employs a roving camera that captures the raw beauty of the Calabrian landscape alongside the harrowing personal journey of its protagonist. The use of natural light, closely framed shots, and an atmosphere steeped in the local culture allow for a sensory experience that is both vivid and compelling.

The soundtrack, an eclectic mix of contemporary music juxtaposed with the diegetic sounds of the environment, complements the film’s mood and sense of place. It underscores the dichotomy between youth and the weight of tradition, between the aspirations of the young and the shadows cast by generations past.

A Chiara is not a conventional narrative, and this is arguably one of its strengths. The film meshes drama with thriller elements and a character study, all delivered with an inherent social commentary on the grip of organized crime in certain communities and the corrosive impact this can have on families and young lives. It poses questions about destiny and self-determination, and whether it is possible to break free from the invisible chains of one's background.

In summary, A Chiara is a profound and emotionally resonant film that blends socio-political insight with a deeply personal story of a young girl's confrontation with a world much more complex and darker than she had ever realized. It’s a poignant exploration of identity and resilience, a tale of innocence lost and the search for truth in a world where the lines between right and wrong are often blurred. This film promises to leave viewers not only entertained but also moved and perhaps a bit wiser about the human experience.

A Chiara is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 75.