Parthenope Star Celeste Dalla Porta on Smoking and Observing

      When we encounter Celeste Dalla Porta as the main character in Parthenope, it is the year 1968, and the 18-year-old Parthenope emerges from the ocean, savoring the joys of a cigarette after her swim. This carefree moment encapsulates the essence of a Paolo Sorrentino film, foreshadowing the themes of youth, beauty, and the passage of time.

      Parthenope is the ancient name for Naples, the Italian city that is Sorrentino's birthplace, and the film delves into this location through the experiences of our protagonist. Naples is breathtakingly beautiful, although some outsiders perceive it as provincial, corrupt, or trivial.

      Dalla Porta suggests that her character’s smoking symbolizes the 1960s and '70s era, a time before cancer warnings were ubiquitous. She also points to a potentially “autobiographical” aspect, noting that both she and Sorrentino are smokers, although the 27-year-old actress admits she's trying to reduce her habit.

      “On a symbolic level, I find the act of smoking quite intriguing,” she shares with MovieMaker via Italian translator Lilia Pino Blouin.

      “There’s an element of self-destruction in it,” she continues. “It’s putting poison into your body. Those who have suffered a lot might find it appealing, as they may relate to this self-destructive behavior.”

      In Greek mythology, Parthenope was a siren who drowned herself in the sea after failing to lure Odysseus with her songs. While the film draws from this myth, it diverges significantly. It does feature a central tragedy, but Parthenope would never take her life for a man and instead spends much of the film gracefully dismissing them.

      Her ambition is to become an anthropologist, keenly observing human behavior rather than being an object of study herself, despite the frequent remarks by other characters about her beauty, which are echoed by critics in their reviews of Parthenope.

      “Are you aware of the disruption your beauty causes?” Gary Oldman’s character asks in the film’s delightfully alluring trailer.

      “I’m starting to suspect something,” she replies.

      Prior to this film, Dalla Porta was relatively unknown in the U.S., but alongside Gary Oldman and Italian actors Dario Aita and Peppe Lanzetta, she delivers a vibrant performance. Her initial collaboration with Sorrentino came when she had a minor role in his 2021 film The Hand of God, which was nominated for an Oscar for Best International Feature Film.

      We spoke with Celeste Dalla Porta about her rise to stardom, the male gaze in cinema, and the significance of Italian cinema icon Stefania Sandrelli, who plays a crucial role in Parthenope.

      Tim Molloy: Your character is an observer, which can sometimes be perceived as passive or inactive. How do you portray an active, conscious observer?

      Celeste Dalla Porta: This character undoubtedly observes everything around her, and her method of observation might seem passive—but it is far from it. Her observations are very emotional, and she allows those she interacts with to leave an impact on her, while she, in turn, influences those around her. Ultimately, what matters is her capacity to create space and remain open.

      Tim Molloy: Every review I’ve come across has suggested this is a star-is-born performance. Did it feel that way during filming? Does it feel different now given the changes in your life?

      Celeste Dalla Porta: While making the movie, I focused on the task at hand and didn’t dwell on what the future might hold. I aimed to remain present and enjoy each moment on set, without projections about what would come next.

      However, being involved in a Paolo Sorrentino film, especially one centered on a female character, inevitably brings a lot of attention. It isn’t so much about me specifically but rather about the actress playing the lead. Currently, I’m experiencing a time of significant change in my life because of this film, and as I’m deeply engaged in the promotion, I’m trying to remain fully present, day by day. It’s an emotionally enriching process, and my life has indeed changed, in a very positive manner.

      Tim Molloy: Concerning the symbolism of smoking, do you think your character is self-destructive?

      Celeste Dalla Porta: I don’t see her as self-destructive. She’s in pursuit of happiness and freedom. While smoking could symbolize some unhappiness, that may not be entirely accurate; perhaps she’s just a character who smokes.

      Moreover, when faced with anything potentially self-destructive, she seems to try and address it, evolving from a state of unhappiness to understanding life and human behavior better. As an anthropologist, that’s her journey.

      Tim Molloy: Some critics argue the film exemplifies the male gaze through Paolo Sorrentino’s lens. Did