SILVER

Italian director Susanna Nicchiarelli (MISS MARX; NICO, 1988) journeys to 13th-century Italy for this revisionist ode to one of history's unsung heroines. In 1211, 18-year-old Chiara (Margherita Mazzucco, the breakout star of TV's MY BRILLIANT FRIEND) is inspired by her friend Francesco (Andrea Carpenzano, BOYS CRY) to leave her wealthy family in Assisi and become a nun. Francesco would become St. Frances of Assisi. Chiara would become St. Clare of Assisi, founder of the Order of the Poor Ladies — now known as the Poor Clares — and the first woman to author a set of monastic guidelines. Spanning several decades, CHIARA paints a vivid portrait of St. Clare (Chiara in Italian) as a young revolutionary who broke free from her family's constraints and rebelled against the Pope himself to establish a community of women fighting to be recognized on the same grounds as any male-founded order. A feminist medieval musical that takes its cues from "Hair" and "Jesus Christ Superstar," Nicchiarelli's fresh and fortifying biopic imbues its subject with warmth and light befitting a saint. Winner, Lizzani Award, La Pellicola d'Oro Award for Best Costumes, NuovoImaie Talent Award for Best New Young Actress (Margherita Mazzucco), SIGNIS Award and Sorriso Diverso Venezia Award for Best Italian Film, 2022 Venice Film Festival. Official Selection, 2022 Busan, Rio de Janeiro and Vienna film festivals. DIR/SCR Susanna Nicchiarelli; PROD Marta Donzelli, Gregorio Paonessa. Italy/Belgium, 2022, color, 106 min. In Italian and Latin with English subtitles. NOT RATED

No AFI Member passes accepted.