18/45
Parthenope is the woman who bears the name of her city. Is she a mermaid or a myth? In Greek myth, Parthenope is a mermaid who committed suicide after failing to charm Odysseus. Her body was carried by the tides to where Castel dell’Ovo is now built, and so she gave her name to the city that would later become Naples, in Naples. In the film, Parthenope is the embodiment of the city of Naples.. HeatWritten by Peter GregsonPerformed by Peter Gregson, Warren Zielinski, Magdalena Filipczak, Laurie Anderson, Ashok Cloud. At first I was annoyed and was sure I wouldn’t get to the end, but then the scene with the aging star caught my attention. After her disparaging speech to her "former" fellow citizens and, despite the sight of her bald head, Parthenope listens to her "advice" and touches her face with great grace. At that moment, I realized that the film is not about the beauty of some mythical siren, but about the beauty she sees in people beyond appearances. Moreover, it does not take place after she has lost her youth, as her professor suggests – if that were the case, then he would not have been able to surprise her with his angry performance on the exam either. No, Partenope demonstrates her superpowers throughout her life, and there are many examples: when she reads John Shiver, alcoholic, depressed, a miracle; when she passionately kisses the distorted acting teacher … And, since she is the personification of Naples, the human flaws she sees through are connected to the history of the city – with ignorance and misery, patriarchal oppression, facade religiosity and superstition, violence. All of this is presented in the most brutal, horrific scenes, but in Parthenope those who embody it find understanding and acceptance and become wonders. 8 out of 10 though for a slight sense of pretentiousness. You can’t be arrogant if you advocate embracing all souls.