No. 51 (2022) TO CHIARA June 28th.

 

Film No. 51 (2022)  June. 28th.  4.20 PM   NOVA,  Lygon St. Carlton,  Victoria.

 

"The less you know the better." (Chiara's father emerges from the fog and challenges his daughter to fall into line, with his hopes for her future).

The passion of a director to live in a region (Calabria), with an idea for a film, then write, produce and direct that film using (mainly) a family of locals, as talent, is an example of passion, indeed. Jonas Carpignano (A CIAMBRA, MEDITERRANEA) continues his passion with this unique form of realism depicting a warts and all, regional Italian tale.

A CHIARA continues Carpignano's dedication to tell stories about the struggles of everyday people facing extra-ordinary situations where their decisions will set the blueprint for their path in life. Chiara is one inquisitive, thoughtful 15 year-old. She loves her family, in particular the steady hand her father offers in steering this seemingly happy unit. It's via her inquisitive nature that we journey with Chiara.

On the outside, Carpignano depicts an innocuous seaside city, Reggio Calabria, through the eyes of a seemingly happy family, the Guerrasios. So what is there to see here? What story is there to tell here? Well it is all about revealing the underbelly of such a city.  Chiara is our passport to understanding what choices lie ahead for her. If ever we meet a girl who has the potential to have a brilliant career, Chiara is such a girl. But as she makes her life changing discoveries, the question's are, how will she react and what decisions will she make?    

We witness a girl's coming of age, so uniquely told that you'll be exhilarated, that such a well loved genre could be taken to such heights. The ending is both surprising and sublime.  11GUMS.