38/33
Parthenope is a woman who bears the name of her city. Is she a siren or a myth? In Greek mythology, Parthenope is the siren who committed suicide after failing to charm Odysseus. Her body was carried by the flood to the place where Castel dell’Ovo now stands, and that’s why she gave the name Naples to the city that later became Neapolis. 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 Klouda. At first I was upset and was sure I wouldn’t make it to the end, but then the scene with the aging star caught my attention. After her derogatory speech to her “former” fellow citizen, and despite the sight of her balding head, Parthenope listens to her “advice” and touches her face with great mercy. 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, this does not happen after she has lost her youth, as her professor suggests – if that were the case, he would not have been able to impress her with his sulky performance on the exam either. No, Parthenope flaunts her superpower throughout her life and the examples are numerous: when she reads John Cheever, alcoholic, depressive, a miracle; when she passionately kisses the disfigured acting teacher… And because she is a personification of Naples, the human imperfections she sees through are linked to the history of the city – to the ignorance and misery, the patriarchal oppression, the façade religiosity and superstition, the violence. All of this is shown in the most brutal, horrific scenes, but in Parthenope, those who embody her find understanding and acceptance and become miracles. Still, 8 out of 10 because of the slight sense of presumption. You can’t be arrogant when you advocate embracing all souls.