Alice Rohrwacher's Cinema Analyzed Through Architecture and Set Design

An article on Artribune by Giovanni Manfolini examines how architecture and set design in Alice Rohrwacher's films convey narrative without paternalism. Born in Fiesole in 1981 to an Italian mother and German father, Rohrwacher moved to Umbria as a child, where rural landscapes shaped her poetic. Her fairy-tale, dreamlike style allows objective depiction of marginal contexts. In "Corpo Celeste" (2011), a church with anodized fixtures, leaden colors, and a blue neon crucifix creates an alien atmosphere for a teenager returning to Reggio Calabria. In "Le Meraviglie" (2014), a modest farmhouse in Umbria contrasts with the town's concrete and tuff houses, highlighting the family's isolation. In "Lazzaro Felice" (2018), the Marchesa's Liberty-style villa evokes mystery and insecurity. In "La Chimera" (2023), Flora's villa conveys both uncertainty and tranquility, serving as a refuge for protagonist Arthur. The article argues that Rohrwacher's scenographic choices, combined with her aesthetic, enable non-judgmental storytelling.