Parthenope
Paolo Sorrentino (La Grande Bellezza) explores the mythology of his native Naples in this tale of a young woman so beautiful that she is coveted by everyone, young and old, male and female.
Parthenope is a visually and aurally stunning, decades-spanning romantic drama about a Neapolitan woman named after the mythical siren who once lent her name to the city of Naples.
In 1950, near the Bay of Naples, young Parthenope is born in the Mediterranean Sea, just outside the crumbling castle where she will spend her childhood. As the summers pass, Parthenope grows into a statuesque and intellectually captivating young woman. She soon learns to navigate the complexities of an emotionally volatile family, the attention of boys, and the expectations of academia, studying under her anthropology professor.
An intoxicating reflection on objectification, and the way people see themselves and others, Sorrentino provocatively shifts between the sacred and the profane. Parthenope – with strong newcomer Celeste Dalla Porta in the title role and Gary Oldman in an unforgettable supporting role – premiered at the Cannes Film Festival as part of the competition for the Golden Palm.