18/44

Is she a siren or a myth?

Line of Events

Partenope is a woman who bears the name of her city. In Greek myth, Parthenope is the siren who committed suicide after failing to enchant Odysseus.

In the movie, Parthenope is the embodiment of the city of Naples

Her body was brought by the tide to the place where Castel dell'Ovo is now built, and for this she gave the name to the city that would have later become Neapolis, Naples. WarmthWritten by Peter GregsonPerformed by Peter Gregson, Warren Zielinski, Magdalena Filipczak, Laurie Anderson, Ashok Klouda.

At first I was annoyed and was sure I won't make it till the end, but then the scene with the aging star caught my attention

After her derogatory speech in front of her "former" fellow-citizens and despite the view of her balding head, Parthenope listens to her "advice" and touches her face with great mercy. At this moment I realized that the movie is not about the beauty of some mythical siren, but about the beauty she sees in people beyond appearances.

No, Parthenope exhibits her superpower throughout her life and the examples are numerous: when she reads John Cheever, alcoholic, depressive, a wonder; when she passionately kisses the disfigured acting teacher

Moreover, it doesn't happen after she has lost her youth as her professor suggests – if so, with his sulky performance at the exam, he wouldn't have been able to impress her either. And because she is a personification of Naples, the human imperfections she sees through are connected with the history of the city – with the ignorance and the misery, the patriarchal oppression, the facade religiousness and the superstition, the violence.

Still, 8 out of 10 because of the slight sense of pretentiousness

All these are shown in the most brutal, horrific scenes, but in Parthenope those who embody them find understanding and acceptance and become wonders. You cannot be arrogant when you advocate for embracing all souls.