47/13
Parthenope is a woman who bears the name of her city. Is she a siren or a myth? In Greek myth, Parthenope is the siren who committed suicide after failing to enchant Odysseus. Her body was carried by the flood to the place where the Castel dell’Ovo now stands, and in return she gave the name to the city that would later become Neapolis, Naples. In the film, Parthenope is the embodiment of the city of 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 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 a 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 – otherwise he would not have been able to impress her with his sullen appearance on the exam. No, Parthenope shows her superpowers throughout her life and the examples of this are numerous: when she reads John Cheever, alcoholic, depressed, a miracle; when she passionately kisses the disfigured drama teacher… And because she is a personification of Naples, the human imperfections she sees through are connected to the history of the city – to the ignorance and the misery, the patriarchal oppression, the façade religiosity and superstition, the violence. All this is shown in the most brutal and horrific scenes, but in Parthenope those who embody her find understanding and acceptance and become miracles. Still, 8 out of 10 for the slight presumption. You can’t be arrogant when you’re committed to embracing all souls.