Parthenope - Paolo Sorrentino

Paolo Sorrentino - Parthenope

Cannes International Film Festival 2024 - Competition programme

Mythical Naples, full of legends, emotions and life, has been attracting sailors, tourists and artists for thousands of years. Parthenope, already beautiful as a newborn, is born in the water of the bay of one of the city's villas, and is baptised with Naples' ancient name. Following her episodic life story, spanning decades, we are transported to places and people that ordinary mortals never get to: Parthenope's (Celeste Dalla Porta) unearthly beauty opens the doors to the most guarded secrets, the American writer (Gary Oldman), the arrogant bishop, the burnt-out actress, the Neapolitan aristocracy or her own boss, the reclusive anthropology professor, all open up to her. It's up to Parthenope to decide what to do with the secrets she discovers, whether they will bring her closer to the happiness she craves.