38/49
Parthenope is a woman named after her city. Is she a mermaid or a myth? In Greek myth, Parthenope is a mermaid who committed suicide after failing to cast a spell on Odysseus. Her body was carried by the tide to where Castel dell’Ovo now stands, and she then gave her name to the city that later became Neapolis in Naples. In the film, Parthenope is the embodiment of Naples. Heat Screenplay: Peter Gregson Cast: Peter Gregson, Warren Zieliński, Magdalena Filipczak, Laurie Anderson, Ashok Klouda. At first I was nervous and was sure I wouldn’t make it to the end, but then my attention was caught by the scene with the older star. After her insulting speech in front of her «former» fellow citizen, and despite the sight of her bald head, Parthenope listens to her «advice» and touches her 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 appearances. What’s more, it doesn’t happen after she loses her youth, as her professor suggests – if so, he wouldn’t have been able to impress her with a dismal performance on an exam. No, Partenope shows her superpower throughout her life, and there are many examples: when she reads John Cheever, an alcoholic, depressed, prodigy; when she passionately kisses the disfigured acting professor… And because she is the embodiment of Naples, the human imperfections she sees are connected to the history of the city – ignorance and poverty, patriarchal oppression, façade religiosity and superstition, violence. All of this is shown in the most brutal, horrible scenes, but in Partenope those who embody it find understanding and acceptance and become prodigies. Still, 8 out of 10 for a slight sense of pretentiousness. You cannot be arrogant when you advocate the acceptance of all souls.