37/40
Parthenope is a woman named after her city. Is she a siren or a myth? In Greek myth, Parthenope is a siren who committed suicide after failing to charm Odysseus. Her body was carried 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 later become Naples, Naples. In the film, Parthenope is the embodiment of the city of Naples. Heat Written by Peter Gregson Starring Peter Gregson, Warren Zielinski, Magdalena Filipczak, Laurie Anderson, Ashok Klouda. At first I was annoyed and was sure that I would not survive to the end, but then the scene with the aging star caught my attention. After his derogatory speech, despite the sight of his "former" balding head, Parthenope listens to his "advice" and touches his 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 their appearance. Nor does it happen after she has lost her youth, as her professor suggests – if that is the case, she would not have been able to impress him with her abysmal performance on the exam. No, Parthenope demonstrates her superpower throughout her life, and the examples are numerous: when she reads John Cheever, an alcoholic, a depressed, a miracle; when she passionately kisses a distorted acting teacher… And since she is the personification of Naples, the human flaws she sees through are related to the city’s history – ignorance and misery, patriarchal oppression, facade religiosity and superstition, violence. All of these are visible in the most brutal and horrific scenes, but in Parthenope those who embody them find understanding and acceptance and become miracles. Still 8/10 for a slight sense of pretentiousness. You can’t be arrogant when you advocate embracing all souls.