From July 9th, “Sorrentino Summer” begins in Ukraine – a retrospective of films by one of the most outstanding contemporary European directors, Oscar winner Paolo Sorrentino. Sorrentino, with his sensitive, incredibly beautiful style, is called the heir to Fellini, and we will tell you about three films that capture the atmosphere of Italian chic and are worth rewatching.
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“The Great Beauty”
Sorrentino’s most famous film, which earned him Oscar and Golden Globe awards for Best International Feature Film. “The Great Beauty” transports us to a luxurious, hot, languid Rome. The protagonist is Jep, a seasoned journalist who has long been part of the city’s bohemian life. His life is filled with parties, lavish events, and constant acquaintances, but behind this facade of brilliance lies a deep emptiness that does not leave him in peace. At 65, he begins to wonder – is it all worth it, and why is he so tired of the world around him… Perhaps it is “The Great Beauty” that helps us understand why Sorrentino is called a follower of the legendary Federico Fellini.
“Youth”
This is the director’s second English-language work, which gathered a constellation of top Hollywood and European stars: Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano, and Jane Fonda. It is a story about a half-century friendship between two artists spending time at an Alpine resort. Fred, a renowned composer and conductor, has retired and is openly bored on vacation. His friend Mick, a decorated director, is, on the contrary, trying to catch inspiration and is laboring over the script for his future cinematic manifesto. For half a century, they have shared their deepest secrets, joked about their own aging, and never ceased to marvel at the ever-changing world around them.
“Parthenope”
The retrospective concludes with the film “Grace” (2025), but for a summer mood, we recommend rewatching “Parthenope” (2024). “Parthenope” is a love letter to Naples, with costumes created by Maison Saint Laurent. In “Parthenope,” whose events begin in the 1950s, the beautiful Parthenope is born into a wealthy family that owns a stunningly luxurious villa by the sea. Parthenope is astonishingly beautiful, but this does not make her happy. This film is also an almost complete fashion capsule for those who want to spend their summer by the sea, with swimwear and a couple of alluring dresses being essential items in their suitcase. Among the most striking looks are Parthenope’s silver dress embroidered with crystals; a black satin evening gown with a deep décolletage and a thigh-high slit paired with a brown faux fur coat; and a gemstone-encrusted suit.