by Chlorophyll Review: Many will recognize the famous quote from Indian philosopher Osho that has made countless appearances on Instagram: “If you love a flower, don’t pick it up. Because if you pick it up it dies, and it ceases to be what you love. So if you love a flower, let it be. Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation.” While this quote might seem clichéd, especially when spotted on a friend’s social media, it immediately came to mind while watching Ivana Gloria’s Chlorophyll (Clorofilla in Italian).
In essence, this quote encapsulates the central theme of the entire film. Chlorophyll is a gentle and captivating exploration of one’s connection with nature and the ability to embrace change within oneself. Gloria, present to introduce the film, mentioned that the title revolves around the “fear of change,” something she has personally experienced. This personal touch is evident in every frame, whether focusing on the two main characters or highlighting the endless, enchanting beauty of nature.
Chlorophyll (2024)
Not Rated
Drama
Chlorophyll tells the story of a botanist who discovers a groundbreaking method to accelerate plant growth using a new form of chlorophyll. However, as her research advances, she faces unforeseen consequences that threaten the ecological balance and her own survival. Caught between ethical dilemmas and corporate greed, she must decide whether to save humanity or allow nature to take its course.
Release Date
July 3, 2024
Director
Ivana Gloria
Cast
Sarah Short, Michele Ragno, Domenico De Meo
Writers
Marco Borromei
Studio(s)
Albedo Production
What Is ‘Chlorophyll’ About?
Maia (Sarah Short), a green-haired woman in her twenties, is disillusioned with city life. She tries to escape it through partying, but after unfulfilling sexual experiences and vomiting bright green liquid, she decides she’s had enough. She abruptly announces that she won’t be sitting her university exams and takes a job picking oranges in a remote countryside area in exchange for food and lodging. There, she meets Teo (Michele Ragno), a loner of similar age who shuns human interaction. Maia’s employment was arranged without Teo’s consent by his brother and father, with whom he has a strained relationship. It takes time for Maia and Teo to connect; Teo resents losing his solitude, while Maia finds his solitary ways strange.
They spend their days picking oranges, with Teo instructing Maia to be gentle with the fruit and even to speak to them tenderly. Slowly, they warm up to each other and form a unique friendship, marked by both unspoken and spoken understanding. Complications arise when Maia catches the eye of Teo’s more socially adept older brother, Arturo (Domenico De Meo). However, this becomes the least of her concerns.
There’s a reason Maia has green hair, vomits green bile, and emits a scent Teo has never encountered before—she begins to sprout small blue flowers from her hair. Maia’s connection to nature goes beyond a need to escape urban noise. Through her friendship with Teo and their shared love of the natural world, Maia learns to accept the parts of herself she has always hidden.
There are two central elements in Chlorophyll. The first is the friendship or quasi-romance between Maia and Teo. Both are lost souls whose past traumas shape how they live their lives. The death of Teo’s mother, who owned the farm, has led him to believe his purpose is to live in solitude, maintaining a fractured relationship with his brother and father. Since Maia’s first period, she has been in a constant state of confusion about her identity.
She derives no pleasure from sexual encounters and keeps her naturally green hair short out of fear that people will discover her true nature—part woman, part flora. Though it may sound fantastical, Chlorophyll’s strength lies in how it grounds its magical realism. The revelation of Maia’s true nature is easy to accept because it unfolds gradually, without dramatic clichés. The film doesn’t focus on how Maia became this way; instead, it emphasizes her journey to self-acceptance—green vomit and all.
‘Chlorophyll’ Is a Personal Journey of Bonding and Embracing Oneself
Returning to the Osho quote, the prevailing message of Chlorophyll aligns closely with it. Flowers and people are meant to be appreciated, not possessed, in all their beauty, no matter how unfamiliar they may initially seem. While Maia’s journey is central, her relationship with Teo is pivotal to it. Initially, they seem to have little in common—Maia is more outspoken and confident, hailing from a big city, while Teo is shy and prefers solitude.
However, Teo becomes the first person to appreciate Maia for who she truly is. He creates a fragrance from the flowers that sprout from her hair and tenderly comforts her when she feels overwhelmed by her condition. She, in turn, inspires him to be more open to human interaction. They lie side by side, sharing thoughts they’ve never expressed before. It’s a human connection both have longed for, born from the parts of themselves they believed no one would ever understand.
At just 75 minutes, Chlorophyll is a film rich in intimacy. Director Ivana Gloria skillfully pairs Marco Borromei’s script with breathtaking visuals. Nearly every shot is infused with vibrant green hues, whether from Maia or the stunning Italian countryside. Indoors or outdoors, plants are woven throughout the setting, enveloping the actors and creating a sense of a world that is both infinite and entirely their own. The film exudes sensuality, reminiscent of Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name, where the natural environment serves as the perfect backdrop for self-discovery and exploration. Chlorophyll interlaces humans and nature, with Gloria emphasizing this connection from beginning to end as Maia embraces the changes in her body.
Sarah Short and Michele Ragno Share Dynamic Chemistry in ‘Chlorophyll’
The film relies on the chemistry between Short and Ragno, and it does not disappoint. Their sweet friendship carries an undercurrent of unrequited romance, with a classic love triangle adding drama to their relationship. However, this is where the film most closely aligns with the Osho quote—it’s not crucial whether the two end up together, as Maia is not meant to be possessed but appreciated, and Teo is the first to offer her that.
Short delivers a passionate performance, portraying Maia’s journey from discontent to acceptance with raw vulnerability that permeates every scene. Ragno, as Teo, portrays a shy yet resilient young man who, despite lacking greenery in his hair, is just as lost as Maia. Together, they create a compelling on-screen duo, adding to the film’s sensuality and intimacy without needing physical romance.
Chlorophyll is a film to be savored. Like her Italian contemporaries, Ivana Gloria transforms the untamed outdoors into the ideal setting for a coming-of-age story. Saturated with sensual and vibrant natural imagery, Chlorophyll serves as a poignant reminder of the deep connection between humans and nature, emphasizing that both should be cherished, not controlled.
