Chiara
International poster
Directed bySusanna Nicchiarelli
Written bySusanna Nicchiarelli
Produced by
  • Marta Donzelli
  • Gregorio Paonessa
Starring
CinematographyCrystel Fournier
Edited byStefano Cravero
Music byAnonima Frottolisti
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • 01 Distribution (Italy)
  • O'Brother (Belgium)
Release date
  • 9 September 2022 (2022-09-09) (Venice)
Running time
106 minutes
Countries
  • Italy
  • Belgium
LanguageCentral Italian

Chiara is a 2022 biographical historical musical drama film written and directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli. It follows the life of Saint Clare of Assisi, played by Margherita Mazzucco. It premiered in competition at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on 9 September 2022.[1]

Cast

Production

Nicchiarelli conceived of the film during the early COVID-19 lockdowns in Italy after reading a book on Clare by historian Chiara Frugoni, who served as the script consultant for the film. According to Nicchiarelli, the dialogue is in "the Umbrian vernacular of the time". Linguist Nadia Cannata provided assistance for adapting the dialogue from modern Italian.[2] Nicchiarelli took inspirations for the musical numbers from films such as Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar.[2][3]

Reception

Chiara has an approval rating of 80% on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 5 reviews, and an average rating of 6/10.[4]

Nicholas Bell of IONCINEMA gave the film one out of five stars, writing, "While the subject matter lends itself to a necessary rigidity, Nicchiarelli only accomplishes in conveying a sense of the interminable in this ponderous exercise, attempting to enliven the production with musical numbers both distracting and cringeworthy."[5] Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter described the film as an "earnest yet playful take on Clare", adding, "Chiara wanders, in ways that can be rewarding or confounding, but it takes chances."[6] Davide Abbatescianni of Cineuropa praised in particular Margherita Mazzucco as she "stands out in the cast on account of her seraphic and courageous portrayal of a girl and a woman who refuses to bend to her family’s violence or the pressure exerted by Cardinal Ugolini."[7]

References

  1. ↑ Niola, Gabriele (9 September 2022). "Italian director Susanna Nicchiarelli on her religious biopic and Venice competition title 'Chiara'". Screen Daily. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Chiara". The Match Factory. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  3. ↑ Vivarelli, Nick (10 September 2022). "'They Were Like Flower Children': Susanna Nicchiarelli on 'Chiara,' With 'My Brilliant Friend' Star Margherita Mazzucco as Saint Clare". Variety. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  4. ↑ https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chiara
  5. ↑ Bell, Nicholas (9 September 2022). "Chiara | 2022 Venice Film Festival Review". IONCINEMA. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  6. ↑ Linden, Sheri (9 September 2022). "'Chiara' Review: Modern Spin on a Medieval Saint Is More Intriguing Than Involving". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  7. ↑ Abbatescianni, Davide (9 September 2022). "Review: Chiara". Cineuropa. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
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