Cloro | 2015 Sundance Film Festival Review

From Twirls to Breaststrokes: Sanfelice’s Debut Retains Rhythm but Keeps Distance

Utilizing the seldomly spotlighted sport of synchronized swimming as the backdrop, Cloro serves as a coming of age story for a young girl who suddenly crosses the threshold of young adult to adult due to familial circumstances. As the debut for co-writer/director Lamberto Sanfelice, the Italian language film finds its footing in its ability to develop without inflation and retain a keen simplicity and eye. Despite its acute approach, it ultimately follows closely a stoic sensibility primarily found within the European exports and does little to stand out from its equivalents.

After an abrupt move from picturesque seatown Ostia, Jenny (Sara Serraiocco) becomes the primary caretaker for her younger brother Fabrizio (Anatol Sassi) and mentally unstable father Alfio (Andrea Vergoni). These realities hinder her ability to continue her training as a synchronized swimmer though she does her best to keep up (including sneaking into an indoor pool). The attempt to balance domestic life, a job as a maid, and training begin to weigh her down as the competition looms, threatening to slip through her fingers at any given moment.

Cloro acts as a competent vehicle for Serraiocco who maneuvers with an innate rhythm and contemplation. The material, which seems sparse at times, feels even more strained when paired with a protagonist whose strength seems to be measured at a quiet constant. Even with the goal and stakes so clearly drawn, the sense of urgency is kept at a hush. The only times we glimpse her emotional state temper include one scene when she berates her father for his lack of involvement and when she pursues a relationship with an equally opaque co-worker Ivan (Ivan Franek). But these moments are fleeting and the affair unexplained and largely unhelpful in the attempt to decipher our hardened protagonist. And at what is intended to be the film’s closure, the climax falls short because of our distance.

Nevertheless, Sanfelice does exhibit a keen eye and understanding of an economic story which results in a sparse and clean film. He is generous with the scenes, allowing them to breathe in stretches and for Serraiocco to come across strong. And though there is certain comfort level and pattern that the film seems to follow, Sanfelice’s prudence will serve him well in future ventures.

Viewed January 26th at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival – World Cinema Dramatic Competition Programme. 94 Mins.

★★★ /☆☆☆☆☆