Enchantress!
Brace yourself for a unique film experience with the scintillating Parthenope. Deep Sicilian roots provide the backstory for this flambouyant tale of a ravishing beauty whose affect on people is mind-blowing. Just playing at the Vancouver Film Centre Theatre in Vancouver here’s a movie worth going out of your way to see. Presented by A24 and Mongrel Media this story will move you.
Told over a series of years Parthenope explores the rather tumultuous life of an undisputed beauty named Parthenope. Born into unfathomable wealth actress Celeste Calla Portra appears like Venus rising out of the sea and is as memorable as Ursula Andreas in Dr. No as she effortlessly portrays an 18 year old heiress to a shipping fortune. Blessed with good looks all eyes focus on her as she vexes the local boys as well as wealthy foreigners and business tycoons.
However there is more to this woman than just a pretty face and captivating figure. Good looks and money can only get you so far in life and in this woman’s case her career path takes her to university to study Anthropology of all things. Against all odds and various family setbacks through the years we develop a fondness for this woman as she navigates through life on an unforgettable journey.
Gorgeous cinematography of the Italian coastline and Mediterranean cities perfectly complement the breathtakingly beautiful screen presence of Ms. Porta in this visually stunning movie. Though maybe a good 10-15 minutes too long this Italian film with English subtitles is memorable, original, and a lot of fun.
