Parthenope
When Odysseus managed to resist the Sirens, they lost their magical power and turned into rocks. Except the Siren Parthenope: she plunged into the sea and drowned, after which her body washed up on the spot where the city of Naples would later rise. It is this Greek myth that inspired director Paolo Sorrentino (La grande bellezza, Youth) to make his new film Parthenope, Greek for maiden-voiced, an ode to the beauty of Naples. The title role is played by Celeste Dalla Porta, her feature film debut. Also starring Gary Oldman.
Ever since her birth in 1950, Parthenope has been a beguiling presence and, especially now that she has grown up, she is adored and desired by many men. But she herself is mostly interested in life and acquiring knowledge. She starts studying anthropology. But is this what she wants from life? Could she perhaps become an actress, does she benefit from the advice of her favourite writer, John Cheever (Oldham)?
