We witness a woman’s life journey spanning over half a century. Parthenope captures the essence of Naples, the city's inner complexities, and the faces that bear the traces of love, freedom, and lost time. Through Daria D'Antonio's cinematography and Sorrentino's captivating storytelling, the film brings to life the ordinary and unforgettable moments in this ancient city.

Following Parthenope’s life from her birth in 1950 to the present day, the film tells the story of a woman driven by an insatiable passion for freedom, for Naples, and for the many faces of love—true, meaningless, and unspeakable. From the perfect summer in Capri, filled with the carefree joys of youth, to a period ending in an ambush. And then, there are others—Neapolitans, men and women, observed and loved, disappointed and full of life, with waves of melancholy, tragic ironies, and sorrowful gazes. Whether ordinary or extraordinary, she knows how long life can truly feel. The passage of time reveals a vast spectrum of emotions. And in the background, Naples—both near and far—this indescribable city enchants, shouting and laughing, always knowing how to wound.

In Parthenope, Sorrentino immortalizes a life and a city, offering a saga filled with ghostly voices, melancholic looks, and timeless loves rising from the streets of Naples. As the city itself takes on a role as both setting and character, the audience is left with a mesmerizing journey—a poetic tale filled with the traces of a lifetime. This film serves as a requiem, reminding us of how precious each moment is in the endless cycle of life, whether ordinary or extraordinary.