Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope: Myth and the City of Naples
Paolo Sorrentino’s 2024 film, Parthenope, is a cinematic homage to Naples, a city steeped in history, mythology, and vibrant culture. Sorrentino, known for his poetic and visually stunning storytelling, once again turns his lens towards his native city, blending past and present, myth and modernity. Parthenope is more than just a film—it is a meditation on beauty, time, and identity, drawing from the deep well of Greek mythology that birthed the city itself.
The Mythological Origins of Parthenope and Naples
Naples, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, was founded as a Greek colony in the 8th century BCE. Before it was known as Neapolis, or “New City,” it bore the name Parthenope, a tribute to a siren from Homer’s Odyssey. According to legend, Parthenope was one of the three sirens who attempted to lure Odysseus and his men to their doom with their enchanting voices. Forewarned by the sorceress Circe, Odysseus had his sailors plug their ears with wax and tied himself to the mast, resisting the sirens’ call. Devastated by her failure, Parthenope cast herself into the sea, and her body was said to have washed ashore on the island of Megaride—where Naples would later be established.
This foundational myth left an indelible mark on the city’s identity, and traces of Parthenope’s legacy can still be found in Naples today. From ancient art to modern literature, her story has inspired countless interpretations. It is no surprise, then, that Sorrentino, a filmmaker deeply attuned to the nuances of his city, chose Parthenope as the title and thematic heart of his latest film.
Paolo Sorrentino: The Filmmaker and His Vision
Born in Naples in 1970, Paolo Sorrentino is one of Italy’s most celebrated contemporary filmmakers. He gained international recognition with his 2004 film The Consequences of Love, but it was Il Divo (2008), a stylized biopic of Italian politician Giulio Andreotti, that cemented his reputation as a visionary director.
Sorrentino’s breakthrough on the world stage came with La Grande Bellezza (The Great Beauty, 2013), a lush, Fellini-esque exploration of Roman high society that won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. His subsequent films, including Youth (2015) and Loro (2018), continued his exploration of aging, power, and excess, while his HBO series The Young Pope (2016) and The New Pope (2019) delved into the complexities of faith and modernity.
Sorrentino’s work is characterized by a unique blend of melancholy and humor, grand visuals, and deeply personal themes. His 2021 film The Hand of God was his most autobiographical work to date, recounting his adolescence in Naples and the personal tragedy that shaped his life. With Parthenope, he returns once again to his home city, but this time, he intertwines the personal with the mythological, crafting a narrative that spans centuries of Neapolitan history and identity.
Synopsis of Parthenope
Parthenope follows the life of a young woman named Parthenope, played by newcomer Celeste Dalla Porta. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Naples, the film chronicles her journey of self-discovery as she navigates love, ambition, and the weight of history. Parthenope becomes a symbol of the city itself—eternally caught between past and present, myth and reality.
The film features a stellar supporting cast, including Academy Award-winning actor Gary Oldman, legendary Italian actress Stefania Sandrelli, and Silvio Orlando. Through its characters, Parthenope explores themes of nostalgia, resilience, and the search for meaning in a world constantly in flux.
Themes and Symbolism in Parthenope
Sorrentino’s Parthenope is rich with thematic layers, reflecting both personal and universal concerns:
1. The Eternal Feminine and the City as a Woman
Parthenope, as a character, embodies the eternal feminine—a muse, a survivor, a mystery. This aligns with Sorrentino’s broader depiction of Naples as a city that seduces, nurtures, and haunts those who belong to it. The film presents Naples as a living entity, just as much a protagonist as Parthenope herself.
2. The Passage of Time and Memory
Sorrentino has long been fascinated by the impermanence of beauty and the weight of memory. Much like The Great Beauty, Parthenope contemplates the fleeting nature of youth and the inescapability of the past. The city’s ancient ruins, juxtaposed with modern life, serve as visual metaphors for this tension.
3. Myth in the Modern World
By reviving the myth of Parthenope, Sorrentino invites viewers to consider how ancient stories continue to shape contemporary identities. The siren’s song—symbolizing temptation, destiny, and loss—echoes throughout the film, both literally in the soundtrack and metaphorically in Parthenope’s personal journey.
Cinematic Style and Influences
As with all of Sorrentino’s films, Parthenope is visually stunning. Cinematographer Daria D’Antonio captures Naples in all its contrasts—sun-drenched piazzas, shadowy alleyways, the vastness of the sea. Sorrentino’s signature use of slow-motion, dreamlike sequences, and striking compositions are on full display.
The film’s soundtrack, composed by longtime collaborator Lele Marchitelli, blends classical compositions with contemporary pieces, enhancing the film’s timeless feel. The influence of Federico Fellini is evident, as Parthenope shares the surreal, melancholic beauty of La Dolce Vita and 8½. Yet, the film remains uniquely Sorrentino’s, filled with his wry humor, existential musings, and unmistakable aesthetic.
Reception and Impact
Premiering at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, Parthenope received a lengthy standing ovation, a testament to Sorrentino’s enduring appeal. Critics, however, were divided. While many praised the film’s ambition, lush visuals, and emotional depth, others found it overly indulgent—a critique that has followed Sorrentino throughout his career.
Regardless of critical reception, Parthenope stands as an important work within Sorrentino’s oeuvre. It is a deeply personal film, one that encapsulates his love for Naples, his fascination with mythology, and his philosophical inquiries into beauty and time.
Conclusion: A Cinematic Love Letter to Naples
Parthenope is more than just a film about a woman or a city; it is a meditation on how history, myth, and personal identity intertwine. Paolo Sorrentino, ever the poet of the visual medium, has crafted a work that invites audiences to listen to the siren’s song—not to succumb to it, but to understand its meaning.
Through Parthenope’s journey, we glimpse the eternal soul of Naples, a city that continues to enchant, just as it did thousands of years ago. Whether one sees Parthenope as an indulgent dreamscape or a masterpiece of modern cinema, it is undeniably a film that lingers in the mind, much like the echoes of a siren’s song on the Mediterranean breeze. Go to the official website of the movie for more.
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